Deadly Avalanche, Terror Suspicions, and Olympic Showdowns Dominate US Headlines

This week has been marked by a mix of tragedy, tension, and thrilling competition in the United States. A deadly avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left at least eight people dead, prompting an investigation into possible criminal negligence. Meanwhile, a suspected terrorist incident in Las Vegas has raised concerns about national security, and a highly anticipated Olympic hockey matchup between the US and Canada is set to take place on Sunday.

The avalanche, which occurred on Tuesday, swept through a group of skiers and guides who were on a three-day backcountry skiing trip. The Nevada county sheriff's office has launched an investigation into the incident, which includes looking into why the ski trip was not cancelled by the guide company despite adverse weather conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha) has also been notified, as the incident is being treated as a workplace accident.

In a separate incident, a 23-year-old man drove a car full of weapons through the gate of a power substation in a Las Vegas suburb before shooting himself in the head. The suspect, Dawson Noah Maloney, died of the self-inflicted wound, and the FBI and Las Vegas police are investigating the incident as a suspected act of terrorism. Maloney was wearing soft body armor when police discovered him, and the incident has raised concerns about the potential for future attacks.

In a more positive development, the US and Canadian men's ice hockey teams will face off in the Olympic gold medal game on Sunday. The US team, led by Jack Hughes and Jack Eichel, dominated Slovakia 6-2 in the semi-finals, while Canada came from behind to beat Finland 3-2. The matchup promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Olympic hockey tournament.

In other news, Anna Murdoch-Mann, the ex-wife of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, passed away at her home in Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 81. Murdoch-Mann was a philanthropist and author, and her death was reported by the New York Post, one of her ex-husband's media properties.

Finally, US envoy Mike Huckabee sparked controversy this week when he suggested that Israel has a biblical right to take over the entire Middle East. Huckabee, a right-wing ally of President Trump, made the comments in an interview with podcaster Tucker Carlson, citing Old Testament scripture as evidence of Israel's claim to the land. The comments have been met with criticism from those who argue that they are inflammatory and disregard the rights of other nations in the region.

As the week draws to a close, these stories are likely to continue to dominate the headlines in the US. From tragedy and tension to thrilling competition, it's been a dramatic week that has captivated the nation's attention.