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CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy – It's impossible to miss USA lugerSummer Britcheron the track.

Her yellow sled is incredibly distinct. It stands out against the white ice beneath her. It clashes with her red, white and blue suit. And itcaught the attention of Saturday Night Live's writers room, which aired a sketch Jan. 31 parodying NBC'sWinter Olympicspromo where cast memberJane Wicklineplayed a reluctant luger – sliding on a yellow sled – coached by special guestAlexander Skarsgård.

"My boyfriend sent it to me," Britcher said Friday when asked about the sketch. "And as I was watching it, just more and more the details stood out. I was like, 'Hey, hang on a second! That sled's an interesting color!"

The difference between Britcher and Wickline's character "Gertie Burper" – who hates the luge because "it's way too fast" and "scares me to death" – is that Britcher is teeming with excitement at this, her fourth Olympic Games. She had media at Friday's USA Luge press conference cackling with constant jokes and wisecracks at the podium, like lobbying to borrow a helicopter to Milan for figure skating and sharing a "personal request" to mic up teammate Ansel Haugsjaa while the whole team is "strutting" at the opening ceremony. It'd be "a treat for the whole world."

It's all part of her intention to "appreciate the process" and "enjoy every race" as she has all season. She's trying desperately to hold onto that mindset in Cortina, knowing it's been a determining factor of her success, while also being acutely aware of how results build pressure and expectations.

Positivity was actually the impetus for her unique sled choice.

Eight or so years ago, her pod got hit during shipment, causing two chunks of paint to chip off. As a joke, she drew a curved line under them to make a smiley face. Which annoyed her old coachBill Tavares. But it stuck. Even after she retired that sled, Britcher continued to draw smiley faces on whatever pod she used for every race.

For a while, she thought about getting a yellow sled to go all-in on the smiley face motif. It wasn't until this season that she actually decided to do it.

"It's kind of a risky color move… so I was always too nervous," Britcher said last month. "And then I thought, 'You know what? I want to do it. I'm just trying to really enjoy myself and enjoy sliding this year. And I think it'll be fun, even if it turns out terrible.' But it turned out really cool."

Meditation and manifestation are a big part of elite athletes' success. Britcher's sled offers a constant reminder to take a deep breath, to take it easy and to smile.

And hopefully it'll also remind whoever laughed at Gertie Burper this week to tune into some luge runs.

Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Summer Britcher's yellow sled makes USA luger smile at Winter Olympics

If anything has been apparent since the start of the2026 Winter Olympics, it's that the United States women's hockey team is not messing around.

Through two games, the American women are 2-0 and have outscored their opponents by nine goals, most recentlyshutting out Finland 5-0on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Today, they'll take on Switzerland, and USA captain Hilary Knight can break the record forU.S. Olympics women's hockey career goalsif she scores. She's tied with Natalie Darwitz and Katie King with 14 goals.

But that isn't the only contest happening today. In fact, there are four women's hockey games on the schedule today — two in Group A, two in Group B — meaning the standings could really take a turn depending on the results.

Here's a look at Monday's Olympic women's hockey schedule:

Winter Olympics ice hockey schedule today: Monday, Feb. 9

All times Eastern. TV and streaming listings are subject to change, according to NBCOlympics.com

• Group B (Women's): Japan vs. Italy | 6:10 a.m. | Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

• Group B (Women's): Germany vs. France | 10:40 a.m. | Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

• Group A (Women's): Switzerland vs. United States | 2:40 p.m. | USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

• Group A (Women's): Canada vs. Czechia | 3:10 p.m. | USA Network (starting at 5 p.m.), Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

What channel are the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics ice hockey games on today? How to watch, stream Feb. 9 games

• TV channel: USA Network

• Streaming options: NBCOlympics.com | NBC Olympic App | Peacock

The USA-Switzerland game will be shown on USA Network at 2:40 p.m. ET. The network will show the end of the Canada-Czechia game, starting at 5 p.m. ET.

2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics ice hockey scores, results today: Monday, Feb. 9

This section will be updated as games are finished

• Group B (Women's): Japan vs. Italy | 6:10 a.m. | Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

• Group B (Women's): Germany vs. France | 10:40 a.m. | Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

• Group A (Women's): Switzerland vs. United States | 2:40 p.m. | USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com

• Group A (Women's): Canada vs. Czechia | 3:10 p.m. | USA Network (starting at 5 p.m. ET), Peacock (digital only) and NBCOlympics.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What's Olympic hockey schedule for today Feb. 9?

The U.S. women's hockey team improved to 2-0 at the2026 Winter Olympicson Saturday bycruising past Finland 5-0. Next up for the Americans, a date with Switzerland on Monday, Feb. 9.

Team USA captain Hilary Knight scored for the second consecutive game against the Finns,giving her 14 career goals in Olympic competitionand tying her with Natalie Darwitz and Katie King for the most in U.S. women's hockey history.

Perhaps the only danger for the American squad on Monday is if they look past the Swiss with a much-anticipated clash against reigning Olympic champion Canada on tap Tuesday. Swiss goalie Saskia Maurer made 51 saves in a 4-0 loss to Canada on Saturday.

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Stunning images from US vs Finland hockey match at 2026 Olympics

What TV channel is U.S. women's hockey vs Finland on today? How to watch, stream

• TV channel: USA Network

• Streaming options: NBCOlympics.com | NBC Olympic App | Peacock

USA Network will broadcast Monday's U.S. women's hockey Group A matchup against Switzerland at the Milano Cortina Olympics. Streaming options for the game include NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Olympic App (with a TV login).

What time is U.S. women's hockey vs. Finland today?

• Date: Monday, Feb. 9

• Time: 2:40 p.m. ET

• Location: Milano Santaguilia arena (Milan)

U.S. women's hockey roster for 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

Here is thefull U.S. women's hockey rosterfor the Milano Cortina Olympics:

• Goaltenders: Ava McNaughton; Aerin Frankel; Gwyneth Philips.

• Defenders: Lee Stecklein; Cayla Barnes; Caroline Harvey; Megan Keller; Rory Guilday; Haley Winn; Laila Edwards.

• Forwards: Kirsten Simms; Kelly Pannek; Grace Zumwinkle; Hayley Scamurra; Britta Curl-Salemme; Hilary Knight; Tessa Janecke; Hannah Bilka; Joy Dunne; Alex Carpenter; Kendall Coyne Schofield; Taylor Heise; Abbey Murphy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Where to watch US women's hockey vs Switzerand in Olympics today

By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang

Media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of Apple Daily speaks during an interview to response national security legislation in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's most vocal China critic, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, was sentenced on Monday to 20 years in jail, ending the city's biggest national security case which drew international concern about Beijing's clampdown on the city's freedoms and autonomy.

Lai's sentence on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign ​forces and one for publishing seditious materials ends a legal saga that has spanned nearly five years.

Lai, founder of the feisty but shuttered Apple Daily newspaper, was first arrested in August 2020 ‌and was convicted last year.

His 20-year sentence was within the harshest penalty "band" for offences of a "grave nature" and is the most severe punishment meted out yet, the three national security judges said.

Lai's sentence was enhanced by the fact that he was the "mastermind" and driving ‌force behind "persistent" foreign collusion conspiracies, the judges said.

They cited prosecution evidence that the conspiracies had sought sanctions, blockades and other hostile acts from the U.S. and other countries while involving a web of individuals including Apple Daily staff, activists and foreigners.

Besides Lai, six former senior Apple Daily staffers, an activist and a paralegal were sentenced to jail terms ranging between six and 10 years.

"In the present case, Lai was no doubt the mastermind of all three conspiracies charged and therefore he warrants a heavier sentence," the judges said. "As regards the others, it is difficult to distinguish their relative culpability."

The 78-year-old, a British citizen, has denied all the charges against him, saying in court he ⁠is a "political prisoner" facing persecution from Beijing.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs ‌Office, under China's state council, said in a statement the sentence "is a solemn and powerful declaration that whoever dares to challenge the law on safeguarding national security will be severely punished".

Hong Kong's leader John Lee said it upholds the rule of law and gratified the public, saying "Jimmy Lai's crimes are heinous and utterly unforgivable".

Lai's plight has ‍been criticised by global leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, spotlighting a years-long national security crackdown in the China-ruled Asian financial hub, following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Those concerns reflected in part Lai's long-standing international profile as a pro-democracy critic of China's Communist Party leadership and his extensive political connections, particularly among U.S. Republicans - ties that prosecutors cited during the case.

At the height of the protests in July 2019, Lai met then-U.S. Vice President ​Mike Pence and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.

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Beijing in 2020 imposed the national security law in Hong Kong, saying it was necessary to stabilise the city after months of sometimes violent unrest.

LIFE ‌IN PRISON?

Lai's friends and supporters say is in frail health with diabetes and high blood pressure, and should be freed.

Lai's son, Sebastien, said the sentence "is devastating for our family and life-threatening for my father" and marked the "total destruction" of the Hong Kong legal system.

"After more than five years of relentlessly persecuting my father, it is time for China to do the right thing and release him before it is too late," he said from outside Hong Kong.

Lai, one of Hong Kong's most prominent Roman Catholics, arrived at the court in a white jacket, with hands held together in a praying gesture as he smiled and waved at supporters.

Elaine Pearson, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said a "sentence of this magnitude is both cruel and profoundly unjust"

Hong Kong police played down concerns about Lai's health. The head of the force's national security department, Steve Li, said Lai's ⁠health concerns had been "exaggerated" and added that the tycoon deserved his sentence.

The judges said they were not inclined to give ​Lai any deduction for his medical condition, age and solitary confinement but acknowledged he would face a "more burdensome" time than other ​inmates. They cut a month off the sedition sentence and one year each for the collusion charges.

Beijing and Hong Kong officials have said that Lai has received a fair trial and all are treated equal under a national security law that they say has been vital to restoring order to the city.

Dozens of Lai's supporters queued for several ‍days to secure a spot in the courtroom, with ⁠scores of police officers, sniffer dogs and police vehicles - including an armoured truck and a bomb disposal van - deployed around the area.

"I feel that Mr. Lai is the conscience of Hong Kong," said a man named Sum, 64, who was in the queue.

Starmer raised the case of Lai, who holds British citizenship, during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month in Beijing, according ⁠to people briefed on the discussions, and called for his release.

Trump too raised Lai's case with Xi during a meeting in October. Several Western diplomats told Reuters that negotiations to free Lai would likely begin in earnest now that he has been sentenced.

Lai's ‌lawyer, Robert Pang, said he could not comment when asked whether Lai would appeal, saying he has 28 days to do so.

(Reporting by James Pomfret, Jessie Pang; Additional reporting by ‌Andrew MacAskill in London; Writing by Greg Torode; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree, Michael Perry and Thomas Derpinghaus)

BRUSSELS, Feb 9 (Reuters) - EU competition regulators on Monday charged Meta ​Platforms with breaching antitrust rules ‌by blockingartificial intelligencerivals from its ‌messaging service WhatsApp and threatened to impose interim measures against the U.S. tech giant.

The move by the European ⁠Commission came ‌after Meta implemented its policy on January 15 allowing only ‍its AI assistant Meta AI on WhatsApp.

The EU executive, which acts as the ​EU antitrust watchdog, said it ‌had sent a statement of objections or charge sheet to Meta for violating the bloc's rules.

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"The Commission therefore intends to impose interim measures to ⁠prevent this policy ​change from causing serious ​and irreparable harm on the market, subject to Meta' s ‍reply and ⁠rights of defence," it said in a statement.

Its decision on interim ⁠measures will depend on Meta' s reply ‌and rights of defence.

(Reporting by ‌Foo Yun Chee)