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Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Monday, February 14, 2022:
Happy Valentine's Day!
AMBASSADOR BRIDGE REOPENS
The protest that had been blocking the major artery between Ontario and Detroit has been cleared and traffic is running across the Ambassador Bridge this morning. Police arrested about two dozen members of the Freedom Convoy on Sunday after a weeklong blockade, which has been a nail in the tire of automakers that rely on the international crossing to get parts to factories. Still, a larger demonstration in Ottawa continues as protesters demand Canada drop COVID-19 health mandates. AP
RAMS ARE THE CHAMPS!
The Los Angeles Rams have taken home this year's Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI. It was a close game throughout, but L.A. quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with MVP Cooper Kupp for a final touchdown in the final two minutes to take the lead. Final score: 23-20. Celebrations erupted in Los Angeles, with fans going nuts for the hometown heroes, but police broke up one spontaneous gathering downtown where people defaced a city bus and were setting off fireworks. CBS SPORTS
OLYMPICS: WHAT YOU MISSED
If you haven't been keeping up to date with the Olympics, here's your cheat sheet from the weekend:
…Russian ice skater Kamila Valieva can continue competing at the Olympics, despite failing a doping test, but there won't be any medals ceremonies for events in which she finishes in the top three. NY TIMES
…With her win in the 500-meter, speed skater Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to ever medal in the sport and the first U.S. woman to win gold in the event since 1994. YAHOO SPORTS
…Team USA Men's hockey team took the top seed after beating Germany 3-2. ESPN
…The Ukraine Olympic team calls for peace after skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych held up a sign that said "No War in Ukraine." The International Olympic Committee bans political protests but allowed this one, saying Sunday, "We all want peace, clearly." AP
UKRAINE LATEST
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for about an hour on Saturday about the ever-growing concerns over a Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the call was reportedly civil, there was no sign of substantive improvement. Hours before the call the White House moved some troops out of Ukraine and ordered the evacuation of nearly all embassy staff that remained there. CNN
COVID VACCINES
Hopeful parents were disappointed after the FDA pushed back a decision on allowing the Pfizer-BioNTech jab for kids 6 months to 5 years old. There was hope that the shots could have been in arms as early as next week, but the FDA wants more data, specifically on whether the littlest kids should get a two-shot or three-shot regime. The meeting has been postponed until April. In other vaccine news, two new studies from the CDC found that COVID-19 booster shots help prevent severe illness, but the effects do wear off over time. CNBC
WORD WARS
Apparently there's a new challenger to the "Wordle" game phenomenon on the scene, but instead of guessing five-letter words once a day, the player is meant to guess the name of a country based on the geographic shape presented. Incorrect guesses will provide clues including the distance/direction your guess is from the correct answer. Hence, the cheeky clone is called "Worldle." The little side project, which pays homage to the word game now owned by The New York Times, was trending on Sunday. CHECK IT OUT
SHIPWRECK CLAIM
Colombia is getting ready to recover fortunes from the "holy grail" of Spanish colonial shipwrecks. The remains of the San Jose were discovered off the coast of Cartagena in 2015, but Colombia, Spain, and Bolivia have all tried to stake claims. Last week, the Colombian President announced that anyone who wants to try to get their hands on 200 tons of gold, silver, and emeralds laying thousands of feet underwater will need to sign a contract with the government. CBS
This sounds like a bad Matthew McConaughey movie.
MOON CRASH UPDATE
Last month we told you about the SpaceX rocket on track to crash into the moon in a few weeks. Well…now there is some doubt about whether SpaceX is actually to blame. The scientist who first reported the impending doom updated his prediction over the weekend to note that it isn't a Falcon 9 headed to the lunar surface but a Chinese rocket that was launched in 2014. The bigger picture — space junk is a problem, no matter which nation or corporation is causing problems this time. ARS TECHNICA
We’re going to destroy it before we even get a chance to live there.
SPOTTED: SUPER BOWL EDITION
…This year's Pepsi Halftime Show packed a lot of punch in less than 15 minutes. The Twitterverse immediately noted that Eminem kneeled during the show - a nod to the social justice protests started by former QB Colin Kaepernick. WATCH THE SHOW
…Coinbase broke the internet with its super-simple Super Bowl ad: just a QR code floating across the screen. The webpage crashed as a crush of football-watchers took the bait and tried to see what it was all about. BEST ADS
…The other big winners of the night: Team Fluff, which won this year's Puppy Bowl. But really — aren't we all winners knowing these pups are about to get adopted? CUTE PICS
LEFTOVERS: RECYCLING COUTURE
With much of the global focus on electric vehicles and net-zero emissions these days, an Iowa teen is reminding us that there are smaller ways we can all help the planet. A high school senior with eyes on design school for college turned about 300 plastic grocery bags from employee-owned supermarket chain Hy-Vee into wearable fashion. She's hoping the dress and coat she created will earn her a scholarship. SEE IT
“Is that a Versace?”
“No. Kroger.”
Need2Know Podcast Note: The Need2Know podcast is taking a break for now. We're looking forward to bringing you more context and analysis on the big stories of the day in a few weeks. In the meantime, check out our archive on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!
Updated Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 7:53 am ET to correct the date at the top.
