Breezy Johnson secured the United States' first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold in the women's downhill race in Cortina, Italy, according to multiple news sources. Her victory, which came after a strong comeback year, was somewhat overshadowed by a crash involving teammate Lindsey Vonn, who was evacuated by helicopter. The win was particularly notable given the challenging course conditions and the close competition, with only fractions of a second separating the top finishers, according to NPR News.
The Winter Olympics also featured the sport of curling, with attention on host country Italy's reigning champions and the innovative equipment used, according to Wired. The sport relies on specialized stones primarily sourced from Scotland, and advancements in brooms and shoes are also key to the game. Protests against the 2026 games in Milan led to clashes with police, as reported by Vox.
Meanwhile, in the political arena, US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) emerged as a national figure, known for her sharp attacks, according to Vox. In just two terms in the House of Representatives, she had become a "bona fide political star," according to Astead Herndon, a host and editorial director at Vox. Crockett's rise came as the world grappled with other major stories, including the start of the WTA 1000 season in Doha, featuring top tennis players, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's potential increase in power following a snap election, as reported by Vox.
President Donald Trump's insults against Haitians, including a false accusation of eating pets, stung the Haitian community, who feared his actions would be much worse, according to Vox. Trump had previously derided Haiti as a "shithole country" and was now attempting to deport Haitians.
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