Space surgery, Super Bowl LVIII, and airplane dwellers.

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Big Stories

Space surgery

A tiny robot will simulate surgery in space.

• MIRA, which stands for miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant, just became the first surgical robot at the International Space Station. Over the next few weeks, it will practice operating in zero gravity.

• Developers will use MIRA in surgical simulations via remote-controlled technology, with a surgeon guiding its movements from 250 miles away in Nebraska. The creators say that the goal is for MIRA to make robotic-assisted surgery available to any patient, any time, anywhere.

• The mission can potentially help pave the way for medicine in long-distance space travel, but the inventors of MIRA hope their technology will make the biggest impact on Earth. They say it could be game-changing in rural areas without access to proper medical care and on military battlefields.

Biden urges Israel to create evacuation plan for Palestinians in Rafah

President Biden recently spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, advising him against launching a military operation in Rafah without planning for the evacuation of Palestinian civilians in the area

• The call between Biden and Netanyahu occurred amidst concerns about a potential expansion of the Israeli military's operation to the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where over 1.2 million Palestinians are concentrated, many of whom have been displaced.

• Biden administration officials are against the operation unless there is a clear plan for safely evacuating civilians. President Netanyahu remains firm on his intention to destroy Hamas but has ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to submit a plan for evacuating the civilian population in Rafah.

• The call also came ahead of an expected meeting in Cairo between CIA director Bill Burns, the Qatari Prime Minister, and intelligence officials from Egypt and Israel to discuss efforts to negotiate a new hostage deal, which could lead to a long pause in fighting in Gaza.

Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII

The Kansas City Chiefs made history by becoming the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in two decades.

• The Chiefs came from behind to win 25-22 in overtime. The game saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with the 49ers initially taking the lead with a 55-yard field goal and a trick play touchdown. However, both teams turned the ball over and the score stayed close throughout the game.

• Late in the game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes put together a drive that led to a game-tying field goal, forcing the Super Bowl into overtime. After the 49ers scored a field goal in the first drive of overtime, Mahomes connected with Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown pass. He was named Super Bowl MVP.

• Super Bowl LVIII was a rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl, where the Chiefs defeated the 49ers. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid now has a 4-0 record against 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. With the loss, the 49ers' Super Bowl drought stands at 30 years.

Little Stories

• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin transferred duties to his deputy after being taken to the hospital Sunday for “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue,” per the Pentagon. Lawmakers called for Lloyd’s resignation earlier in the year for not telling President Biden about his hospitalization in December for surgery stemming from prostate cancer. (More)

• A woman opened fire in Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Texas before being killed by two off-duty police officers. The woman shot a young child and a man. The child is in critical condition while the man is stable. The woman’s motive wasn’t clear. (More)

• Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won a closely contested runoff election to become Finland's president after seven years away from politics. Finland's strategic location along the eastern border of the EU and NATO makes the election outcome significant for European capitals and beyond. (More)

• A crowd of people set a Waymo driverless car on fire in San Francisco Saturday night. After breaking the windows, someone threw a lit firework into the car causing it to burst into flames. No one was in the car, and no injuries were reported. (More)

• Iran commemorated the 45th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East due to Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Thousands of Iranians participated in marches adorned with flags, balloons, and banners with revolutionary and religious slogans. Some people also burned US and Israeli flags, a common occurrence at pro-government gatherings in Iran. (More)

Extra Credit

Meet the people who live in old airplanes.

An airport K9 unit sniffed out mummified monkeys in Boston.

Why artists don’t get paid for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. 

Valentine’s Day spending will reach a record $14.2 billion this year.