A BOEING 727 that had no clearance to fly mysteriously took off into the night – leaving behind no wreckage, no signal and no answers.
Just before sunset, the ageing jet lifted off from Quatro de Fevereiro Airport in Luanda, Angola with an American engineer and a private pilot on board.
Sign up for The Sun newsletter
Thank you!
Advertisement
A Boeing 727 mysteriously took off from Angola in 2003 without clearance or lightsBen Charles Padilla was an American flight engineer and private pilot
It flew into the sky without its external lights, no flight plan, and without responding to air traffic control.
Its transponder had been switched off, and within minutes, it disappeared from radar as it headed south-west over the Atlantic Ocean on May 25, 2003.
Neither the aircraft – registered N844AA – nor the two men on board, Ben Charles Padilla and John Mikel Mutantu, have ever been seen again.
Advertisement
More than 20 years later, the disappearance remains one of the aviation industry’s most baffling modern mysteries – fuelling theories ranging from organised crime and insurance fraud to terrorism and hostage coercion.
For the family of Ben, the mystery has always been more personal and sinister.
His brother, Joseph B. Padilla Sr, rejected the idea that Ben stole the aircraft. Instead, he believes the plane was hijacked.
He previously said: “I really believe my brother was taken prisoner and held against his will and possibly was killed.”
Advertisement
Vanishing into the night
The Boeing 727 had been built in 1975 and flew 25 years for American Airlines before being converted into a cargo plane.
By 2003, it was considered obsolete for passenger use but remained fully capable of flight.
After a failed sale, the aircraft was grounded in Angola.
It sat for more than a year, accruing millions of dollars in airport parking and service fees amid confusion over its ownership.
Advertisement
Reports later described a tangle of companies claiming interests in the jet, complicating efforts to recover debts.
Despite that limbo, aviation expert Julian Bray said the aircraft was clearly being kept in a condition fit to fly – adding the plane could not have taken off without careful preparation.
He told The Sun: “You wouldn’t just jump into an aircraft where the batteries weren’t charged up and the systems were, were ready to go.”
Under normal circumstances, airports prevent disputed aircraft from leaving by immobilising them, Bray explained.
Advertisement
This includes blocking or locking the nose wheel so they cannot taxi.
But that did not happen at Luanda – and it allowed it to taxi down the runway unchallenged and with no clearance to do so.
On the night of the disappearance, witnesses said the plane moved erratically as it made its way toward the runway, before lining up and taking off without authorisation.
One reason the aircraft may have escaped scrutiny is its role as a cargo plane.
Advertisement
Converted from use as a passenger lane, it had a large side-loading door – and regular activity around it would not have appeared unusual.
“If people were working on the aircraft, then you wouldn’t see anything out of the ordinary,” Bray explained.
And it was that anonymity has fuelled suspicions the aircraft may have been used for illicit cargo – such as drugs.
“Nobody really is going to look inside the aircraft because it’s of no interest to them. It’s just an object,” Bray said.
Advertisement
The plane was reportedly filled with around 14,000 gallons of fuel at the time of take-off – enough for roughly 1,500 miles of flight.
Bray said this suggests a deliberate plan rather than an impulsive escape.
“You won’t take off unless you’ve got a tank full of petrol,” he added.
By switching off its transponder and radio systems, the aircraft had erased itself from tracking networks.
Advertisement
Without a flight plan or handoff to air traffic control, it became invisible.
The jet headed south-west – a direction that leads over vast stretches of ocean, but also toward remote regions of Africa dotted with disused wartime airstrips.
“In that region, there are loads of old, World War Two airstrips,” Bray said.
“If it’s not going to take off again, then they wouldn’t be too worried about how it lands.”
Advertisement
The aircraft vanished from radar after heading south-west from Luanda, AngolaCredit: AlamyThe disappearance sparked theories of crime, terrorism, or a chilling hostage situationCredit: EPA
Drugs, crime, or terror?
Speculation about why the aircraft vanished began almost as soon as it left the runway.
Some believe the aircraft was stolen for use in organised crime, potentially transporting high-value contraband such as drugs.
Others pointed to the tense post-9/11 climate as the disappearance occurred less than two years after the September 11 attacks, prompting fears the jet could be used as a weapon.
The missing jet quickly reached the attention of US military and intelligence officials, who triggered a frantic search for what they believed could have been a flying bomb.
Advertisement
Retired US Marine General Mastin Robeson, who was leading US military operations in the Horn of Africa at the time of the disappearance, said news of the missing Boeing “came up through the intelligence network.”
Robeson said the uncertainty surrounding the aircraft’s intent was serious enough that US Central Command weighed the option of deploying fighter jets to Djibouti, where American forces operate alongside the French military.
He added: “It was never [clear] whether it was stolen for insurance purposes…by the owners, or whether it was stolen with the intent to make it available to unsavory characters, or whether it was a deliberate concerted terrorist attempt. There was speculation of all three.”
No explosion or attack was ever reported.
Advertisement
Who was flying?
Ben, an American flight engineer and private pilot, and John, a mechanic believed to be from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had both been authorised to work on the aircraft.
But neither was certified to fly a Boeing 727, which normally requires a three-person crew.
Bray said that, while risky, flying the aircraft was still possible.
“If he’s got a pilot’s licence, he knows the principles of flying,” he explained, comparing it to driving a vehicle without the specific class endorsement.
Advertisement
With a pilot and a mechanic on board, Bray added, there was a “viable flying team.”
Chilling hostage theory
One of the most disturbing theories suggests the men were not acting voluntarily.
Supporters of the hostage theory believe someone may have been on board to ambush them, forcing the aircraft into the air under threat – possibly by targeting their families.
“This has happened in the past,” Bray said.
Advertisement
“There have been cases where they [criminals] go and kidnap the families and put the pressure on that way.”
He also raised the possibility of collusion, saying: “Was it collusion between the ruling powers and somebody else?
“That’s the easy way to do it, isn’t it?”
Ben’s family said he had spent weeks in Angola overseeing a mechanical overhaul of the aircraft and was preparing it for a repossession flight.
Advertisement
The aircraft, registered N844AA, has never been seen againCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskAn image of Ben Padilla circulated after his disappearance in May 2003Credit: FBI
According to his brother, the jet had undergone a full check and was declared airworthy – contradicting early reports that it had been abandoned or unmaintained.
Joseph said his brother was not licensed to fly a Boeing 727 and was never meant to pilot the aircraft.
He was working as a flight engineer and mechanic and was responsible for hiring a qualified pilot and co-pilot for the planned departure.
He believed the aircraft was taken while his brother was running engine checks near the runway – suggesting someone may already have been on board.
Advertisement
“I feel that when my brother was checking the engines, someone was on the plane and hijacked him,” he wrote back in 2003.
Joseph also pointed to his brother’s views following 9/11, saying he had once told family members that if he were ever caught in a hijacking scenario, he would deliberately crash the aircraft rather than allow it to be used as a weapon.
The family say Ben remained in contact with them shortly before the jet disappearance.
He had promised to call after learning his mother had suffered a heart attack. But that call that never came.
Advertisement
For his brother, he was convinced something went wrong inside the aircraft before it ever left Angolan airspace.
What most likely happened
Despite investigations involving US authorities, including the FBI and CIA, no confirmed sightings or debris have ever emerged.
A reported sighting in West Africa weeks later was quickly dismissed.
But Bray believes the most likely explanation is simple, saying: “I think it landed somewhere.”
Advertisement
He believes the aircraft could have touched down on a remote airstrip and been stripped, hidden or abandoned.
The alternative, he said, is equally bleak.
“The plane just carried on till it ran out of fuel, then ditched,” he said.
Either way, the Boeing 727 that lifted silently into the Angolan sky remains missing with no wreckage, no answers, and no clear ending.
On Tuesday, Wes Streeting announced a £10m fund to support the cost of travelling to and from cancer care for all children in England living with the disease
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has called on the Northern Ireland Health Minister to introduce a child cancer travel fund for patients in Northern Ireland.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that the UK Government will provide £10 million a year through the National Cancer Plan for a new fund which will be open to all children and young people in England with cancer and their families, regardless of income, to support them with the cost of travelling to and from cancer care.
Following the announcement, Sorcha Eastwood confirmed that she has written to Mike Nesbitt asking him to follow the UK Government’s lead.
“From day one in Parliament, I’ve been fighting for children, young people and families going through cancer treatment,” she said.
“I’m delighted that the UK Government have announced a child cancer travel fund. However, this only applies to England, and I’m fighting hard to make sure Northern Ireland gets the same, not just money that is used to support something else.
Advertisement
“That’s why I’ve written to the NI Health Minister to make sure that no children and families are left behind in Northern Ireland. I’ll keep fighting until our children get what they need, but I’m delighted that our lobbying has paid off.”
The Powered by Poppy campaign, which was set up by parents Sharon and Mark in memory of their daughter Poppy Ogle, who died in 2022 aged 10 after a long battle with cancer, echoed Sorcha Eastwood’s calls.
“Amazing news from the UK Government regarding covering the cost of childhood cancer parents travel. This will lift a huge financial burden for families in England,” they posted on their Facebook page.
“Here in Northern Ireland, it is a postcode lottery how much it costs in travel, as our only Children’s Cancer unit is in Belfast at the RBHSC.
Advertisement
“We have met families from Fermanagh, Limavady, and Derry/Londonderry. The cost of travel for these families would be huge.”
They added: “Our question is, we all pay the same taxes to the same Government. Surely all children in the UK should be treated as equal?”
However, the Department of Health have confirmed that due to the “significant deficit” in their budget, they cannot introduce a similar scheme in Northern Ireland.
“The Department recognises that patients undergoing treatment for long-term conditions such as cancer may incur additional travel costs that can add additional financial pressure at an already difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Advertisement
“The Help with Health Costs (HwHC) scheme provides individuals and their dependants with help for travel costs associated with medical treatment on referral from a doctor or dentist. The scheme is open to individuals and their dependants, primarily on low incomes.
“Additionally, the Department’s current policy for car parking provision and management includes guidance on free and concessionary parking for patients on particular care paths such as cancer.
“Given the significant deficit in the Department’s budget, it is not possible to consider any further financial assistance for young cancer patients and their families at this time.
“Any cancer patient or family affected by cancer who are experiencing difficulties with travel costs associated with their treatment are encouraged to discuss these with their health care provider.”
THIS is the terrifying moment a car slammed into a shop, killing three people, after a 92-year-old driver lost control of her vehicle.
Shocking dashcam footage shows the Toyota Prius hurtling across a junction at high speed before smashing into the 99 Ranch Market in Los Angeles.
Sign up for The Sun newsletter
Thank you!
Advertisement
Dashcam footage shows the terrifying moment a car careened across a junction before smashing into a grocery storeCredit: ABCThe horrifying crash, in the Westwood area of LA, killed three and injured six moreCredit: ABCThe smashed up silver Prius could be seen in the aftermath of the deadly collisionCredit: ABC
The horror crash killed three people who were inside the bakery section of the shop at the time of collision, and injured six others.
A 42-year-old woman and two men, aged 30 and 55 were pronounced dead at the scene, the LA Fire Department reported.
Four other men were taken to hospital, two of whom were fighting for their lives in critical condition.
Advertisement
The elderly driver had hit a cyclist and lost control of her car, continuing for a block before crashing into the store.
Both the cyclist and the driver refused to be taken to hospital, according to the fire department.
The LA Fire Department said the horror crash happened just after noon on Thursday in the city’s Westwood neighbourhood.
One of the dead has been identified as mom Deris Renoj, 42.
Authorities said two of the dead worked at the supermarket, but did not clarify if Deris was one of them.
Advertisement
Deris Renoj, 43, was identified as one of the victims in the deadly Westwood crashCredit: Facebook/Deris GonzalezMom Deris was one of three people killed in the crashCredit: Facebook/Deris Gonzalez
A woman called Rosie, described another victim, who she identified as “Leo” as “like sunshine”.
While paying her respects at a growing memorial, she told CBS News: “He would always have a nice attitude every time you saw him.
“I never heard him say he’s having a bad day or he’s upset.
“He was like sunshine.
Advertisement
“I still can’t believe he’s gone.”
The 92-year-old driver is cooperating with a police investigation, and cops don’t believe it was an “intentional collision”.
LA Mayor Karen Bass said a crisis-response team was headed to the scene after the crash.
She said in a statement: “My heart is with the victims, their families, and all who were impacted by the deadly crash.”
Advertisement
LAPD detectives are looking into whether there was a mechanical issue with the car, as well as examining the driver’s medical and driving history.
People embrace at the scene of a horror crash at a 99 Ranch MarketCredit: APThe silver Toyota seen inside the supermarket after the crashCredit: ABCFirst responders work the scene of the fatal crash in LACredit: AP
York Ice Trail 2026 began this morning (February 7) and the streets are packed with residents and guests ticking off the 36 sculptures dotted around the city centre.
Bradleys the Jewellers in Low Petergate is always one of the most popular sculptures (Image: Kevin Glenton)
A familiar site across the city has been people enthusiastically ducking in and out of different corners of the city like Walmgate, Museum Gardens and Merchant Adventurers’ Hall ticking off sculptures with names such as The Wizard of Ouse!, Bettys Bern Bears and Mjölnir – The Bringer of Lightning.
Parliament Street has undergone a transformation with nearly a quarter of the sculptures calling it home, and an Ice Village has also been created there.
Parliament Street has been transformed into an “enchanted city” (Image: Kevin Glenton)
At 12pm today near Browns department store, expert sculptors from Icebox treated a packed audience to the 360-degree creation of a special ice castle from a huge block stood on a plinth.
Advertisement
Further along Parliament Street and new for 2026, the experience went up a notch for those lucky enough to get tickets for ice carving masterclasses.
Greg Pittard, from specialists Icebox was expertly adjudicating after briefing the morning intake on safety and how to use the special chisel on the fresh block.
Greg Pittard and Pavla Lippman from Icebox (Image: Kevin Glenton)
He said: “The guys are carving polar bears, we’ve given them a cheat sheet and some tips on creativity to make their best version, and also how to avoid chopping its head off.
“It’s great for us to try something new at this year’s event – we spoke to the organisers and we’re glad it came to frution.”
Advertisement
The Ice Masterclass is so popular with visitors its sold-out its allocation of tickets for the entire weekend.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody following alleged incident in classroom.
A teenager accused of attacking a teacher with a kitchen knife has been remanded in custody. The 15-year-old appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article on education premises.
Advertisement
The court heard the school pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly attacked the female teacher while she was going through his work with him in a classroom shortly after 3pm on Thursday. The incident is alleged to have taken place at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in west Wales.
Magistrates heard the woman was left with injuries to her head, finger and back for which she received treatment in hospital. The boy’s family were in court to watch proceedings.
The teen spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. He was remanded into youth detention over the weekend and will appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 9.
A teacher was approached at their home by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson after parents complained about them allegedly requesting to use the gender-neutral title Mx (Picture: Facebook)
The far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson followed home a teacher and filmed them after they had asked to be addressed using a gender neutral title ‘Mx’.
Anti-immigration activist Robinson released a 12 minute video outside a school in South Staffordshire before classes started.
He later travelled to the teacher’s home to challenge them directly. The teacher has not been identified.
In the video, Robinson said that he had employed a private investigator to monitor the teacher’s movements so he would know when they were leaving for work and could confront them.
Advertisement
He alleged that pupils were being punished for misgendering the teacher and taken out of class to be schooled on the use of pronouns.
‘Mx’ – pronounced ‘mix’ – is a title rather than a set of pronouns and used instead of the gendered Ms or Ms for trans or non-binary people.
Tommy Robinson (Picture: Facebook)
The school has rejected these claims, stating that allegations that pupils were removed from classes are ‘wholly inaccurate’ and that the ‘scenarios described online do not reflect actual events at our school’.
Footage shows Robinson repeatedly questioning the teacher outside their home about whether it is ‘right’ for students to address them as Mx.
Join Metro’s LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp
With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.
Advertisement
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications!
The teacher consistently declined to engage, repeatedly responding ‘no comment’ and attempting to leave for work.
Advertisement
Robinson continued to follow them along the road, filming throughout, until the teacher eventually returned to their house and closed the door.
In the aftermath of the video’s release, the local MP and former Conservative education secretary Gavin Williamson shared a letter on social media that he had sent to the school’s headteacher, in which he said he ‘express [his] concern’ over the situation.
Williamson repeated the claim that the school had ‘taken steps to remove children from educational classes in order to ‘teach pronouns’.
He said: ‘A vast number of constituents have been in touch to share their anger at this decision.
Advertisement
‘Whilst I understand that it is important to be aware of sensitivities such as this, I strongly believe a school’s main priority should be academic rather than “diversity box ticking” exercises.’
Beneath his Facebook post sharing the letter, Williamson later published what was said to be a statement from the school’s headteacher that had been emailed to parents.
The statement said that following the publication of the video, the headteacher ‘would like to reassure you that we are working closely with the police and the relevant authorities to manage this situation and to ensure the privacy and safety of our staff and students’.
It continued: ‘Thank you for your overwhelmingly positive support to date. I kindly ask that you continue to support us by not viewing, sharing or commenting on these posts.
Advertisement
‘I would also like to be clear that claims made in these posts about disciplinary measures for students are wholly inaccurate.
‘While we cannot comment on individual children or circumstances, we can assure you that any behaviour measures taken are always proportionate, appropriate and in line with our behaviour policy.
‘The scenarios described online do not reflect actual events at our school.
‘The school will continue to operate as normal. Should we receive any information that requires a change in our approach, we will of course notify you immediately.
Advertisement
‘Our school is a community built on mutual respect. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and we have established support in place for any member of our school community who has been affected.
‘If you or your children have been affected or require support, as always, our safeguarding team is here to help. Details of how to contact the team are on our school website.’
PinkNews has contacted Windsor Academy Trust, the organisation that oversees the school, to request comment.
One thing Bridgerton has unquestionably mastered is the depiction of sex. This season, women’s pleasure once again takes centre stage with several conversations about orgasms, or “pinnacles” and several references to past steamy scenes, including last season’s infamous carriage exchange.
Sex is everywhere. It spills out of every image, from every surface. The glistening chandeliers, colourful flower arrangements, lights and decoration all contribute to the horny mise-en-scene. The combination of framing, lighting, colour, performance and production design combine to create a sexy vibe.
Within such excess, small gestures take on a new erotic significance – a gentle kiss on the wrist, a touch of fingertips, a glance across the room. All of this contributes to a feminine model of desire that is multi-orgasmic, expanding pleasure across the screen rather than containing it to an individual sex scene. The fourth season of Bridgerton does not disappoint on this front.
This season’s central romance is inspired by the Cinderella trope, where class and social division are the main obstacles for the lovers. It raises a timely discussion of power, particularly pertinent to depictions of sex in a post #MeToo era.
Advertisement
A Cinderella story
This season focuses on the second eldest son, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), and is so far adapted quite closely from Julia Quinn’s third Bridgerton novel An Offer from a Gentleman. Benedict is a self-proclaimed “lover of pleasure, a free spirit, untrammelled by mere convention”.
Pursuing a career as an artist, Benedict has come to be known as a bohemian of sorts. His queerness and ventures into non-monogamy are outside understandings of permissible relationships within Regency society. And, although it’s time for this rake to settle down, Benedict stays true to his rebellious nature.
Meeting at a masked ball, Benedict instantly falls for a charming and mysterious woman in silver. But when the clock strikes 12, she flees without revealing her identity, leaving behind only a satin glove and the traces of a passionate kiss that leaves them both in a state of perpetual yearning. And so, the “prince’s” quest for his mysterious maiden begins.
Advertisement
While Benedict is left love struck and confused, the mystery woman rushes home to assume her true identity as a maid. Despite the familiar setup, Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) is wonderfully defiant and outspoken, aligning with a more modern tradition of Cinderellas that reject the original character’s subservience and passivity.
A glimpse below stairs
For the first time Bridgerton shows us the well-oiled machine of the servants’ quarters to which Sophie belongs. This season attempts a social critique of the class structures that, until this point, has remained peripheral.
From baking and cleaning to arranging secret sexual rendezvous for their employers, servants are seen as crucial to the opulent world we have experienced so far. So crucial, in fact, that when one house poaches a handful of vital servants, they set off what gossipmonger Lady Whistledown calls “the maid wars”. These poaching leave the ton (fashionable high society of Regency-era England) aflutter, with some houses poaching in turn and others becoming more appreciative of their labour.
This upstairs-downstairs glimpse contextualises the obstacles that this season’s couple face and the power dynamics that are at play.
Advertisement
When they meet again, unmasked, Benedict doesn’t recognise Sophie. Despite his loyalty to his mystery lady and the fact of Sophie being a maid, he falls in love anew – leaving him in a predicament.
“We must marry according to class, but we do not always love that way,” Benedict’s friend Will Mondrich tells him. Previously, his siblings Anthony and Eloise found themselves unsuccessful in their pursuit of relationships outside of their class. This is not a hopeful precedent for Benedict.
However, desire is hard to ignore and as their feelings grow hotter, the threat of scandal looms large. With the family reputation at stake and sisters still to wed, reality leaves him with no other option at the end of part one than to pop the critical question: “Will you be my mistress?”
The Bridgerton servants sharing a meal below stairs. Liam Daniels/Netflic
Mistresses were women who had arrangements with wealthy and upper-class men, offering their sexual and social services in exchange for financial benefits and comfort. Despite potential privileges, these women were excluded from polite society and could never hope to legitimise their relationship through marriage, leaving them at the mercy of their “protector”.
Advertisement
A very indecent proposal indeed.
It also, sadly, brings things full circle. When Benedict re-meets Sophie, she is defending another maid from unwanted advances from their master. Her act of denial and defiance ends with both of their dismissals. Although Benedict saves her, securing her a job in his family home, and his advances are (somewhat) wanted, he ultimately puts her in a similar position.
The sexual encounter between the pair takes place on the staircase that separates the upstairs from downstairs, reminding us of the class conflict that is an obstacle to the longevity and legitimacy of their relationship.
Although Sophie is undeniably into Benedict, the wise housekeeper Mrs Crabtree warns Benedict that their difference in social station means that Sophie doesn’t really have the freedom to say no to him.
Advertisement
Benedict does not heed this warning and pushes on with his proposal, despite Sophie’s explicit statements about not wanting to risk the best job she’s ever had. With this proposal, his class power means he has everything to gain, and Sophie everything to lose. At the end of part one, Sophie is back where she started: the desires of a rich man threatening her stable employment and safety.
Although we see her reject Benedict’s offer, with part two still to come, Sophie is faced with the harsh reality of the limited options available to a woman of her stature when it comes to love. The question remains as to how the show will resolve this tension, and whether Sophie’s identity as an illegitimate heiress may be the secret ingredient to this Cinderella’s happy ending.
Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.
US skiing star Lindsey Vonn has clarified the severity of her knee injury ahead of the Winter Olympics in Italy
American Winter Olympics sensation Lindsey Vonn has hit back at a medical doctor’s assessment of her knee injury. Vonn was taken to hospital by air ambulance on January 30 after sustaining a ruptured ACL during a crash at a World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, mere days before the Olympics begin in Italy.
Advertisement
Undeterred by the setback, the skiing legend has remained resolute in her determination to compete this month, confirming earlier this week her intention to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old ramped up her preparations for the games by participating in Friday’s practice session ahead of this weekend’s downhill competition.
Her participation in practice prompted Brian Sutterer, MD, an American sports medicine physician, to weigh in on Vonn’s injury.
“There’s a very important aspect of this that we do not know,” wrote Sutterer on X, formerly known as Twitter. “What was the state of her ACL before the crash last week?
“What she is doing now would not be nearly as surprising in an elite athlete whose knee was already functioning like the ACL was torn at baseline.
Advertisement
“When you hear stories about ‘so-and-so played for years on a torn ACL’, that’s chronic, meaning the body has time to adapt and retrain muscles to support the knee.
“Also, someone who had a prior tear/surgery may not be as swollen and painful with a repeat injury.
“Bottom line, I don’t think this was a bread and butter, fresh ACL tear like everyone is thinking.”
In less than two hours, Vonn hit back at the claim, asserting that her ACL is ‘100% gone’.
Advertisement
“Lol thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday,” Vonn wrote.
“Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
Sutterer then wrapped up the conversation by wishing Vonn well, while explaining why he questioned the severity of the skiing star’s injury.
Advertisement
“Any prior ACL injuries in that knee? If so, the knee can absolutely learn to compensate in a very functional way,” Sutterer wrote.
“I’m not trying to minimise your accomplishment, it’s insanely impressive.
“As a sports medicine doctor who takes care of high level athletes and everyday folks, there is some nuance in how quickly people can function after an ACL tear and that’s what I’m curious about as we communicate stories like this to the public.
Swiss skiers had held all three podium positions before the Italians entered the start gate, with Franzoni and Paris knocking off Alexis Monney and then Odermatt with impressive performances in sunny Bormio.
Paris is seen as a king of this course, having won seven World Cup titles across both downhill and the Super-G, and he won a first Olympic medal at his fifth Games.
“Getting the first medal in front of the home crowd, that’s really special,” he said.
Franzoso suffered a head injury in a collision with a fence in La Parva, Chile, in September.
Last month, after winning World Cup gold at prestigious Kitzbuhel, Franzoni said he had raced with Franzoso “in his mind” after the two had shared a room at the course a year previously.
“To share the podium with Franjo, after [doing so at] the junior world championships [in 2022], he’s such a great guy,” said Franzoni.
“Also with Domi, I really wanted to share a podium with him. I don’t know if he’ll continue racing next year but this is the biggest stage to share.”
Advertisement
As a junior, Franzoni used to race against Jannik Sinner, who was a standout skier before pursuing tennis.
In fact, Sinner, now a four-time Grand Slam champion, once beat Franzoni in 2009, something he was made aware of after the latter’s super-G victory in Wengen earlier this year.
Sinner followed Franzoni on social media and the pair have since struck up a friendship.
“Receiving a message from a champion like him gave me a lot of motivation,” said Franzoni after his Kitzbuhel win.
Advertisement
“I thought, ‘If he wrote to me, it means I’m doing something right’. It’s been something really, really nice for me.”
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) February 6, 2026
National Highways said: “Two lanes are closed on the M62 Eastbound between J11 Birchwood and J12 M60 due to flooding in the carriageway following heavy rain.
The children chosen will be invited to go and visit the trucks with their new name
A Cambridgeshire council is asking local school children to name their new food waste trucks. The Huntingdonshire District Council has invited schools across the district to take part in a Food Waste Collection Truck Naming Competition.
Advertisement
With the introduction of the new weekly food waste collection service, starting from the week commencing March 30 2026, the council is seeking the help of local children to suggest names for the new food waste collection vehicles.
Pupils should write their chosen name in their best handwriting, and names may be imaginative or light-hearted. Winning entries will be reproduced as stickers for display on the collection vehicles.
Schools may submit up to one name per child. To enter, schools must submit an image or scanned copy of the final handwritten name(s) in addition to the names of the children and school who suggested each entry.
Where possible, submissions should be combined into a single entry per class or school for the council’s convenience. You can find out how to enter here.
Advertisement
Huntingdon District Council shared: “Selected entries will become official names for Huntingdonshire District Council food waste collection vehicles. The children whose art is chosen will be invited to see the truck with their new name.
“All entries must be received by Friday February 27 2026.We look forward to receiving your entries, and thank you for supporting Huntingdonshire District Council’s efforts to promote sustainable waste management!”
