Domestic:
A week after Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn injured her knee while competing in a race, her coach says she is still on track to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games. Vonn, now 41, was not the first skier to have crashed on the Crans-Montana course in Switzerland. Prior to her losing control, two other skiers had also crashed. Since only six skiers had attempted the course, the event was later cancelled due to poor visibility. Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019, but revealed in 2024 her goal to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Winning two gold medals in the 2010 Winter Olympics and a bronze in 2018, Vonn is one of the most decorated skiers ever. She still holds several records, including the most World Cup victories (male or female) in the downhill and super-G.
Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Phil is a groundhog who resides in Punxsutawney, PA. During the year, he lives in a pen inside the Punxsutawney Library, with his mate, Phyllis, and two pups, Shadow and Sunny. On Groundhog Day, Phil takes a trip to his tree-stump ‘burrow’ on a stage in Gobbler’s Knob, where tens of thousands gather to watch his weather prediction. Groundhog Day became popular after the 1993 film, “Groundhog Day,” about a weatherman who becomes trapped in a time loop. Nevertheless, Groundhog Day has been celebrated since 1887 when German immigrants in Pennsylvania continued a homeland tradition.
International:
In Congo, a mine collapse caused by heavy rains has left at least 200 people dead. The accident occurred at the Rubaya mines, known for producing coltan, an ore that is used in electronics. In 2023, Congo produced about 40% of the world’s coltan. Mine tunnels at the site are reportedly dug by hand and left without regular maintenance. Since some of the tunnels run parallel to each other, a single collapse can affect multiple locations.
On Monday, the Rafah border crossing in Gaza opened for the first major crossings to begin since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in 2024. For now, few people are allowed to cross and no supplies are being allowed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that 50 patients needing medical evacuation will be allowed to leave daily, with numbers to increase if the system is successful. The Gaza Health Ministry has estimated about 20,000 people need medical treatment outside of Gaza.
