Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Northern California after an avalanche near Castle Peak left nine backcountry skiers unaccounted for, while talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are reportedly making "meaningful progress," according to a US envoy. Additionally, the 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, and a deadly shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has left two dead and three critically wounded.
The avalanche, reported late Tuesday morning in Nevada County, California, occurred amid a heavy snowstorm that closed Interstate 80 and Highway 50 at the summit, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office (Source 2). Six skiers survived the avalanche and were rescued, but nine remain missing (Sources 2, 4). A group of 16 skiers, including four ski guides and 12 clients, were caught in the avalanche (Source 4). Authorities described the conditions as "highly dangerous" for rescue operations (Source 4).
Meanwhile, in Geneva, Switzerland, US special envoy Steve Witkoff stated that talks between Ukraine and Russia had "brought about meaningful progress" to end the war (Source 5). The negotiations, which entered their second day on Wednesday, are being mediated by Witkoff (Source 5). However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns, stating that it "was not fair" that US President Donald Trump kept asking his country to compromise (Source 5).
In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, police are investigating a deadly mass shooting at a high school hockey game on Monday. The gunman, identified as 56-year-old Robert Dorgan, also known as Roberta Esposito, targeted family members (Source 3). Dorgan killed his ex-wife, 52-year-old Rhonda Dorgan, and her son, 23-year-old Aidan Dorgan, before dying by suicide (Source 3). Three others were critically wounded in the shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena (Source 3). Police are still searching for a motive (Source 3).
Across the Atlantic, the 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, with competition beginning on February 4 and scheduled to continue through the closing ceremony on February 22 (Source 1). The Paralympics will follow from March 6 to March 15 (Source 1). Viewers in the United States need to account for the time difference, with venues in Italy being six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (Source 1). Norway currently leads the medal count, followed by Italy and the United States (Source 1).
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