Rescuers in California have recovered the body of the ninth and final person missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the local sheriff’s office confirmed.

The avalanche struck Castle Peak, near the Lake Tahoe area, on Tuesday, catching a group of 15 skiers, including four guides and 11 paying clients. Out of the group, six people survived, making the incident one of the deadliest avalanches in recent US history.

“Nine individuals who lost their lives in the Castle Peak avalanche on 17 February have been safely recovered from the mountain,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Sheriff Shannan Moon expressed condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event.”

Officials had warned on Thursday that search operations would extend into the weekend due to inclement weather and challenging conditions. Heavy snowfall, white-out visibility, and the ongoing threat of further slides complicated recovery efforts, forcing rescue teams to proceed cautiously.

The six survivors, including five clients and one guide, were able to call for help soon after the avalanche occurred. However, the combination of poor visibility and hazardous terrain delayed rescue teams for several hours.

Late on Thursday, families of six victims released a statement identifying them as women described as “mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.” They were remembered as “passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains,” though families acknowledged that many questions about the tragedy remain unanswered.

The Sierra Nevada region had been under avalanche warnings at the time of the incident, with authorities urging caution for all backcountry skiers. Rescue teams from local and state agencies worked through dangerous conditions to locate and recover the missing.

Officials emphasized the importance of safety and preparedness in avalanche-prone areas, noting that even experienced skiers can face life-threatening risks when conditions deteriorate rapidly. The Castle Peak tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about avalanche awareness and emergency response in high-risk recreational areas.

Rescue crews are continuing to monitor the area for further hazards, while local authorities and outdoor groups are offering support to families and friends affected by the loss. The community has expressed solidarity with the victims and survivors, highlighting the shared impact of the avalanche on those who enjoy winter sports in the Lake Tahoe region.

Videos geolocated at universities in Tehran show students chanting “bi sharaf,” or “disgraceful” in Farsi, as clashes erupted against supporters of the government. The demonstrations mark a resurgence of unrest in Iran, coinciding with the 40-day mourning period for thousands killed during earlier protests in January, following Shiite tradition.

Local outlet Fars reported that what was planned as a “silent and peaceful sit-in” to remember the dead turned confrontational, with some students shouting slogans including “death to the dictator,” a reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Footage showed groups waving Iranian flags and holding memorial photographs facing masked crowds restrained by men in suits, illustrating the tension on campuses.

The current wave of protests traces back to December, when demonstrations began over financial hardship and quickly escalated into widespread anti-government unrest. Security forces responded with a violent crackdown, which Iranian authorities acknowledge killed more than 3,000 people, blaming the deaths on “terrorist acts” allegedly orchestrated by foreign enemies. Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based group, estimates that over 7,000 protesters were killed, though the true number may be higher.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that 32,000 people had died during the protests without citing sources, prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to challenge critics on social media X to provide evidence disputing Tehran’s official figures.

The demonstrations are unfolding amid heightened regional tension as Iran engages in nuclear negotiations with the United States. U.S. military forces have increased their presence in the Middle East, including movements near Iran and the Strait of Gibraltar. Reuters reported U.S. aircraft at Lajes Air Base and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the area, while flight tracking data showed Bulgaria’s Sofia airport temporarily closed to civilian traffic in coordination with nearby U.S. military activity. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the aircraft are part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance operations.

Global concerns have prompted travel advisories from several countries. Sweden, Serbia, and Australia have warned citizens to leave Iran or avoid traveling there. Serbia’s foreign ministry stated, “Due to the deteriorating security situation, citizens of the Republic of Serbia are not recommended to travel to Iran in the coming period.”

Trump also signaled the possibility of limited military action, stating on Friday that he was “considering” a strike if nuclear negotiations failed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed the country’s stance of resisting external pressure during the ongoing talks.

As protests continue and the U.S. military posture intensifies, the situation in Iran remains volatile, with students and civilians again at the forefront of public dissent. Observers warn that both domestic unrest and international pressure could shape the trajectory of Iran’s internal politics and its diplomatic negotiations in the coming weeks.

European Union leaders will meet in March to explore measures aimed at reducing electricity prices, with options including decoupling electricity from gas costs and addressing the rise of negative energy prices, where producers effectively pay consumers for surplus power.

Energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals have long complained about high electricity costs, which have forced the closure of hundreds of production sites across the EU. Since February 2024, 101 chemical plants have shut down, resulting in the loss of 75,000 jobs and 25 million tonnes of production capacity. Electricity prices in the EU now remain roughly double those in the United States, raising concerns over the bloc’s industrial competitiveness.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa have both acknowledged the urgency of the issue. In March, Brussels plans to consider revisiting the current pricing system, in which electricity costs are linked to gas prices. Spain and Portugal have long called for reform of the market design, aiming to improve connectivity with the rest of Europe and address competition concerns. Austria and the Czech Republic have also criticized soaring energy costs, calling for urgent solutions.

The EU’s merit order system, which sets electricity prices based on the most expensive resource needed to meet demand, has contributed to high industrial costs. In 2025, renewable energy averaged €24 per megawatt-hour, nuclear €52, and gas €100. Von der Leyen said that leaders held “intense discussions” on whether adjustments to the system were needed to improve affordability.

The EU has introduced mechanisms such as Contracts for Difference and Power Purchase Agreements to complement the merit order system. These measures include caps and floors and are sometimes backed by state guarantees, but they have not fully resolved the gap between EU electricity costs and international competitors.

The European steel industry, Eurofer, welcomed von der Leyen’s renewed focus, noting that even a single fossil-fuel plant can determine the price for all electricity, inflating industrial bills. Eurofer warned that high electricity costs are delaying investment and the transition to green technologies.

Negative energy prices are also shaping the debate. Oversupply from renewables can force generators to pay the grid to accept excess power, a phenomenon Council President Costa said highlights the need for better interconnections and technical solutions.

Industry experts say expanding storage and demand-side management is key to reducing volatility. Tinne Van der Straeten, CEO of WindEurope, called for greater investment in grid infrastructure and energy storage to ensure that companies can use renewable power when it is abundant. Catarina Augusto of SolarPower Europe added that scaling up battery storage tenfold by 2030 and improving flexibility in energy systems is essential to prevent waste and stabilise prices.

With electricity costs threatening industrial competitiveness and green transition goals, EU leaders face pressure to implement practical reforms at the March summit.