The snowboarding community is grappling with heartbreak following the tragic death of Hediger, a 26-year-old Olympian, who was caught in an avalanche on Monday (December 23).
The devastating incident occurred in the mountain resort town of Arosa, Switzerland, as confirmed by the Swiss-Ski Federation on Tuesday, the New York Post reports.
“We are stunned and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” said Walter Reusser, CEO of the Swiss-Ski Federation, in a heartfelt statement.
“For the Swiss Ski family, the tragic death of Sophie Hediger has cast a dark shadow over the Christmas holidays. We are immeasurably sad. We will keep an honorable memory of Sophie.”
Hediger’s passing comes just over a week after she celebrated her 26th birthday on December 14.
Although specific details surrounding the accident remain limited, the Swiss-Ski Federation stated it would not be releasing further information at the request of Hediger’s family.
On Monday, Grisons cantonal police announced that a snowboarder had died in an avalanche while backcountry skiing. Although they did not release the victim’s identity, French news outlet Le Parisien later linked the tragic event to Hediger.
According to reports, the snowboarder was found two hours after emergency services were first notified. Heavy snowfall in recent days had elevated the risk of avalanches in the region, officials noted. A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Hediger, who had deep ties to the Arosa slopes, was remembered by the Swiss-Ski Federation as someone whose life “came to a tragic, sudden and far too early end.”
She had represented Switzerland at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, competing in the women’s snowboard cross and the mixed team event.
Her career saw a meteoric rise in the 2023-24 season, highlighted by her first two World Cup podium finishes. Her personal best came in January 2023 when she placed second in St. Moritz.
After that performance, Hediger shared her joy in an Instagram post: “Wow! what just happened yesterday! got my first World Cup podium at home! couldn’t be happier.”
Her loss leaves a profound void in the snowboarding world.
Our thoughts go out to Hediger’s family, loved ones, and supporters at this time.
Christmas Eve asteroid the size of a 10-story building to make ‘close approach’ to Earth tonight
Santa Claus isn’t the only thing soaring past Earth this holiday season.
NASA has issued a heads-up about a massive asteroid, 2024 XN1, which is set to zoom past the planet tonight.
Measuring the size of a 10-story building, the asteroid will make its closest approach just before 10:00PM EST, passing by at a distance of 4.48 million miles, according to NASA’s Asteroid Watch dashboard.
How Close is Close?
By interstellar standards, this counts as a “close approach”. NASA defines near-Earth objects (NEOs) as celestial bodies that pass within 4.6 million miles of Earth. However, astronomers assure us there’s no cause for alarm.
“It will be very far away, around 18 times further away from the Earth than the Moon is, and so with this predicted path won’t come close enough to hit the Earth,” Jess Lee, an astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, told The Daily Mail.
If it were to collide, the impact would be catastrophic. The asteroid, which was first detected on December 12, is estimated to measure between 95 and 230 feet in diameter and is traveling at a blistering speed of 14,743 mph.
Scientists estimate such an impact would unleash energy equivalent to 12 million tons of TNT and devastate an area of roughly 700 square miles, per the New York Post.
Lee drew comparisons to the Tunguska Event of 1908, when a similarly sized asteroid exploded over Siberia, flattening 80 million trees across 800 square miles.
Rock Star’s Return? Not Until 2031
Following tonight’s close call, 2024 XN1 won’t be making another “Earth tour” until January 2031, when it will pass even closer, at 3.1 million miles. (Which is still a little too close for comfort for my liking!)
The next major celestial visitor, however, will arrive sooner. A 1,310-foot asteroid is expected to pass within 2.29 million miles of Earth on January 5, 2025, according to The Daily Mail.
Keeping an Eye on the Skies
While neither of these space rocks poses a threat, they highlight the importance of tracking NEOs.
NASA continuously monitors the orbits of such objects, refining predictions with each new observation.
“The orbit of each object is computed by finding the elliptical path through space that best fits all the available observations, which often span many orbits over many years or decades,” NASA explains. “As more observations are made, the accuracy of an object’s orbit improves dramatically, and it becomes possible to predict where an object will be years or even decades into the future – and whether it could come close to Earth.”
New advancements may make identifying potential threats even easier. Spanish scientists have developed a method to calculate the gravitational bending of light, allowing for more precise tracking of asteroids heading toward Earth.
For now, stargazers can rest easy as 2024 XN1 makes its distant holiday flyby — no cosmic coal in our stockings this year.
Hundreds evacuated after Paris’ Eiffel Tower catches fire
Approximately 1,200 people have been evacuated from the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday after a fire erupted at the iconic Paris landmark.
French authorities confirmed the flames originated in the elevator shaft between the first and second floors of the structure, per Newsweek.
Social media users described the unfolding scene, with one person posting on X (formerly Twitter): “A fire is currently raging at the Eiffel Tower.
The monument has just been evacuated. An emergency response company has established a perimeter, but firefighters are unable to access the flames.”
Another witness wrote: “A fire is in progress at the Eiffel Tower. Flames were observed in the elevator shaft between the 1st and 2nd floors. All people in the vicinity have been evacuated. The firefighters are still working.”
Authorities believe the fire began due to an overheating device near an elevator cable, Boulevard Voltaire reported, citing police sources. Despite challenges accessing the blaze, firefighters managed to bring the situation under control, according to The Mirror.
Julien Tellier, a journalist for Boulevard Voltaire, stated: “Around 1,200 people were evacuated. The firefighters have reportedly identified the origin of the flames as overheating of a cable. The fire has been brought under control and is now out.”
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognized structures in the world, sees between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors daily, according to statistics from RoadGenius.
The incident evokes memories of the devastating fire that engulfed Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019.
That blaze burned for nearly 15 hours, collapsing the cathedral’s spire and severely damaging its roof. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to restore the historic landmark, stating at the time: “We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautifully and I want it to be finished within five years. And we can do it.”
Notre Dame reopened this year, with world leaders, royals, and dignitaries, including president-elect Donald Trump, attending a December ceremony celebrating its restoration.
Despite the scale of the evacuation at the Eiffel Tower, no injuries have been reported.
Authorities are expected to continue their investigation into the cause of the fire to prevent future incidents.
Two more ‘alien mummies’ found as the mystery around them deepens
The mystery surrounding the so-called ‘alien mummies’ has deepened as two more corpses have been found.
The mysterious specimens came to global attention last September when veteran journalist and UFO researcher Jaime Maussan presented two alleged “alien” corpses to Mexico’s Congress.
Since then, the debate has only intensified.
The so-called “Nazca mummies,” named after the region in Peru where they were discovered, first captured international attention for their elongated skulls and three-fingered hands – features often associated with extraterrestrial life in science fiction.
Maussan, the journalist and UFO enthusiast who brought the mummies to light, maintains they are extraterrestrial.
However, many scientists and officials disagree. In January, Peruvian authorities dismissed the specimens as elaborate fakes.
“They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens,” said forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada. Authorities claimed the mummies were made from paper, glue, metal, and bones from humans and animals.
Now, a former Colorado prosecutor, Joshua McDowell, has added a new dimension to the mystery.
According to the Daily Mail, McDowell recently examined one of the specimens, known as “Maria,” with the help of three independent forensic medical examiners from the United States.
“These were not traditional human fingerprint patterns,” McDowell told the outlet, describing the findings as unusual but stopping short of definitive conclusions.
Recently, two additional mummies, nicknamed Paloma and Antonio, have surfaced, per the Daily Mail.
Discovered following the controversial 2017 findings by UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan, these new figures were studied by Dr. David Ruiz Vela, the former president of Peru’s Medical Association.Dr. Vela described Antonio as having suffered a fatal stab wound. “He has a stab that broke his ribs on the left side of his chest, penetrating the chest, abdomen, liver, and completely perforating him inside,” he explained.
Paloma, on the other hand, is unique among the mummies as the first discovered with hair.
Dr. Vela noted its “copper-colored characteristics” and estimated that the being lived for about 60 years.
The pair share similar features with the earlier finds, including their three-fingered hands, slanted eyes, and small stature – comparable to that of a short adult.
The mummies are believed to be around 1,500 years old, preserved through a combination of fossilization by algae and a highly toxic adhesive.
Researchers noted that the adhesive “does not match those of the time,” raising more questions about the preservation methods used.
María, the figure studied in earlier examinations, has also undergone further analysis. Imaging revealed similarities to human anatomy, but with distinct differences.
For example, María lacks hair and ears, possessing only ear canals. The team dated her remains to between 240 AD and 383 AD, aligning her existence with the ancient Nazca civilization.
The discoveries have left the scientific community divided. Dr. Vela and others suggest the mummies’ anatomical features and preservation techniques warrant further study, while critics argue the figures are elaborate hoaxes.
Princess Cruises passenger dies after ‘attempting to jump overboard’
A Princess Cruises passenger has died after allegedly attempting to jump overboard.
On Saturday, a 48-year-old woman tragically passed away after she tried to dive overboard but instead crashed onto the lower deck, according to the New York Post.
The cruise was en route back to the state of Florida following an eight-day trip in the Caribbean when the incident occurred.
In a statement to Cruise Radio, the cruise line confirmed the tragic news.
“Princess Cruises is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of a 48-year-old American female guest who attempted to jump overboard earlier today aboard Sky Princess,” they said. “The guest fell to a lower deck, where she was promptly rescued.
“Shipboard personnel immediately provided emergency medical care, but despite their best efforts, she could not be revived.”
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the guest’s family and friends during this profoundly difficult time. Grief support services are being offered to guests and crew members affected by this event,” the statement added.
The passenger’s identity has not yet been revealed, but it was said that she was traveling alongside her family.
Witnesses took to social media to discuss the accident after it happened, with one person even posting the captain’s follow-up announcement over the intercom, which stated: “We understand that this event may be distressing for many of you” – before adding details about what took place that evening.
Others also took to Reddit, where witnesses recalled what they had seen.
“My husband and I were on the ship. We were in our Cabin when the Captain made the announcement. What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family of this person. You just never know what is happening in people’s lives. So sad,” wrote one person while another added: “My mom and cousin watched the whole thing. They were directly below us two floors down. Nobody ever came to question them. They are very traumatized by it.”
Someone claiming to be the victim’s cousin also commented in the thread writing: “I wasn’t on the ship but she was my cousin. I just want to say I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and concerns, and overall sensitivity to what happened. I won’t go into detail as it is a very personal situation, but I will say she was really looking forward to this cruise as it was especially important for her mother.
“Thank you all again for being so kind and understanding, my aunt would also really appreciate that,” they added.
Princess Cruises is said to be fully cooperating with local and federal authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, per the outlet.
Our thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones during this difficult time.
Santa Claus is officially on his way around the world – and you can track him
The big man has made his list and checked it twice, so you better head to bed and hope you were nice. Yes, Santa Claus is officially coming to town for Christmas 2024!
It is official; the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has kicked off its annual tradition of tracking Santa Claus as he embarks on his worldwide gift-giving journey.
Santa prepared for take ofd at 9:00AM GMT – meaning that 11:00PM for the furthest time-zone along.
This heartwarming tradition has been a beloved part of Christmas for decades, providing children around the world with real-time updates on Santa’s location as he visits homes across the globe.
The origins of this festive tradition date back to 1955 when a heartwarming mistake led to the birth of the Santa-tracking program.
It all began when a child inadvertently called a Colorado military command, hoping to speak to Father Christmas. The child had seen an advertisement in a local newspaper from a department store but had dialed a misprinted phone number. Air Force Commander Harry Shoup, who happened to be manning the phones that Christmas Eve, quickly understood the mix-up and assured the child that he was indeed Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is coming to town! Credit: NORAD
As more calls from excited children poured in that night, Commander Shoup decided to assign a duty officer to continue answering the phone, kickstarting a heartwarming tradition that was later adopted by NORAD when it was established in 1958.
Each year, NORAD – which typically focuses on defending and monitoring the skies over North America – takes on the joyful task of fielding questions from children about the red-and-white-clad chimney intruder and his unparalleled gift delivery schedule.
Despite decades of tracking, Santa has never experienced a single crash during his magical journey. After all, he’s been performing this remarkable feat for centuries, and his experience is unparalleled.
For those interested in the technical details, NORAD provides specifications for Santa’s sleigh.
You can track Santa’s annual journey now! Credit: NORAD
It measures 75 candy canes in length, 40 candy canes in width, and 55 candy canes in height. At the start of his delivery run, it weighs the equivalent of 75,000 gumdrops, but by the end of the night, it has gained an extra 5,000 pounds, likely due to ice and snow accumulated while traveling through the wintery night.
As for the gifts themselves, they weigh an astonishing 60,000 tons – a testament to the generosity of Santa’s mission and all the effort those elves put in beforehand.
The jolly old man himself has an official weight of 260 pounds, but by the time he returns home to Mrs. Claus, his weight has increased by 1,000 pounds – a testament to the hospitality of families across the globe who have treated the big man to cookies and milk (and the odd cheeky brandy).
When asked about the unique characteristics of Santa’s sleigh, a NORAD spokesperson told Insider: “We really don’t want to compare Santa’s sleigh to a C-130, but what we can confirm is that Santa’s sleigh is a versatile, all-weather, multi-purpose, vertical short-take-off and landing vehicle.
“It is capable of traveling vast distances without refueling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on December 24th (and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).”
As Santa’s continues his annual journey, NORAD’s Santa tracking program continues to bring joy to children of all ages, reminding us of the magic and wonder of the holiday season.
Now, get to bed — we hope Santa brings you everything you wished for.
Oh, and have a very merry Christmas from all of us here at VT.
