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Balloons? UFOs? What's going on up there?

Laura L. Davis   | Paste BN

The U.S. shot down more flying objects over the weekend, but what were they? The Kansas City Chiefs and Rihanna's baby bump rocked Super Bowl 57. And Russia is ramping up attacks in Ukraine.

👋 Hello! It's Laura Davis here with Monday's news.

💌 But first: Long-lost love letters bonded a couple separated by World War II. Eighty years later, the family has them back.

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How many spy balloons have been spotted?

Crews worked Monday to recover the most recent unidentified flying object from Lake Huron where it had been shot down on Sunday – the fourth in three days. So what are these "objects"? Though many lawmakers continue to refer to "spy balloons," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby wouldn't commit to that language Monday. And it's not aliens: "I don't think the American people need to worry about aliens with respect to these crafts. Period," Kirby said. A congressional aide told Paste BN on Monday that the three objects shot down since Friday appear to have been balloon-like surveillance devices. Here's what we know.

👉 'There is a threat': Takedown of another unidentified object raises national security concerns. Live updates.

Chiefs, Rihanna shine at Super Bowl 57

Did you hear? There was a football game at the Rihanna concert/baby announcement party last night! During her Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday, the "Lift Me Up" singer showed off her growing baby bump in a surprise pregnancy reveal. In her most visible outing in seven years, Rihanna stormed through a vibrant production that spotlighted her flexible R&B grooves coupled with infectious pop hooks. Read our review.

And for the second time in four seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champs. Behind another MVP performance from star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs erased a 10-point halftime deficit to topple the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35. 

🏈 Super Bowl 57 winners and losers: Patrick Mahomes is breaking the NFL, while the Eagles' defense lets the team down.

What everyone's talking about

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Russia's spring offensive has already begun in Ukraine, NATO leader says

Russia has already begun its expected spring offensive in Ukraine, sending thousands of additional troops in an attempt to overwhelm Ukraine's defenses, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday. "The reality is that we have seen the start already," Stoltenberg said. "We see how they are sending more troops, more weapons, more capabilities." Live updates as Russian offensive begins.

CDC study: Teen girls in crisis

Teen girls are experiencing record levels of violence, sadness and suicide risk in the United States, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Monday. Data showed 57% of high school girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 – a nearly 60% increase and the highest level reported over the past decade. In comparison, 29% of boys the same age reported the same feelings. Here's what else the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey found.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at Paste BN. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to Paste BN here.

This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here.

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