Ronald Hicks will be installed as the 11th Archbishop of New York in a ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral, outlining his vision for the archdiocese, emphasizing missionary work, and interfaith collaboration. Hicks, formerly Bishop of Joliet, Illinois, intends to focus on building bridges and engaging with the world while passing the faith to future generations.

Ronald Hicks will be installed as the 11th Archbishop of New York in a ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral, outlining his vision for the archdiocese, emphasizing missionary work, and interfaith collaboration. Hicks, formerly Bishop of Joliet, Illinois, intends to focus on building bridges and engaging with the world while passing the faith to future generations.

A high-ranking Russian general, Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot and wounded in Moscow, raising questions about internal conflicts within the Russian military and security apparatus. Alekseyev, previously sanctioned by the EU for alleged involvement in the 2018 Salisbury poisoning, is a significant figure in Russia's military general staff, making this attack a potentially destabilizing event. The incident highlights the increasing tensions and potential vulnerabilities within Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A high-ranking Russian general, Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot and wounded in Moscow, raising questions about internal conflicts within the Russian military and security apparatus. Alekseyev, previously sanctioned by the EU for alleged involvement in the 2018 Salisbury poisoning, is a significant figure in Russia's military general staff, making this attack a potentially destabilizing event. The incident highlights the increasing tensions and potential vulnerabilities within Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent developments include Reshona Landfair's upcoming memoir detailing her experiences as a victim of R. Kelly, the unexpected success of the indie horror film *Iron Lung*, and the FBI's involvement in the search for Nancy Guthrie, alongside other entertainment and political updates. Mark Ruffalo also publicly criticized Kevin O'Leary regarding comments made about Billie Eilish's anti-ICE Grammy speech.

Drawing from multiple news sources, recent developments include Reshona Landfair's upcoming memoir detailing her experiences as a victim of R. Kelly, the unexpected success of the indie horror film *Iron Lung*, and the FBI's involvement in the search for Nancy Guthrie, alongside other entertainment and political updates. Mark Ruffalo also publicly criticized Kevin O'Leary regarding comments made about Billie Eilish's anti-ICE Grammy speech.

The special Democratic primary in New Jersey remains undecided as of Thursday, with former Congressman Tom Malinowski initially leading but his advantage shrinking as in-person votes were counted. Analilia Mejia, a former political director, currently trails Malinowski by a narrow margin, with outstanding mail-in ballots still to be processed across the district's three counties. The eventual Democratic nominee will compete against Republican Joe Hathaway in the April general election.

The special Democratic primary in New Jersey remains undecided as of Thursday, with former Congressman Tom Malinowski initially leading but his advantage shrinking as in-person votes were counted. Analilia Mejia, a former political director, currently trails Malinowski by a narrow margin, with outstanding mail-in ballots still to be processed across the district's three counties. The eventual Democratic nominee will compete against Republican Joe Hathaway in the April general election.

Multiple news sources highlight the rise of no-code app development tools, but acknowledge the challenges non-technical users face when integrating external services like SMS or payment processing. To address this, Ilan Zerbib's startup, Sapiom, is developing a financial layer that enables AI agents to securely purchase and access necessary software, APIs, and data, automating micro-payments for services like Twilio and attracting $15 million in seed funding led by Accel.

Multiple news sources highlight the rise of no-code app development tools, but acknowledge the challenges non-technical users face when integrating external services like SMS or payment processing. To address this, Ilan Zerbib's startup, Sapiom, is developing a financial layer that enables AI agents to securely purchase and access necessary software, APIs, and data, automating micro-payments for services like Twilio and attracting $15 million in seed funding led by Accel.

Multiple news sources confirm that HBO is developing a Baldur's Gate TV series, helmed by Craig Mazin (co-creator of The Last of Us), which will continue the story of Baldur's Gate 3 with new protagonists and potentially returning characters from the game, though Larian Studios is not involved. Mazin, a dedicated fan of the game, aims to include the original cast while also working on The Last of Us season 3.

Multiple news sources confirm that HBO is developing a Baldur's Gate TV series, helmed by Craig Mazin (co-creator of The Last of Us), which will continue the story of Baldur's Gate 3 with new protagonists and potentially returning characters from the game, though Larian Studios is not involved. Mazin, a dedicated fan of the game, aims to include the original cast while also working on The Last of Us season 3.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, the US and Russia have agreed to resume high-level military communications, suspended since 2021, following talks in Abu Dhabi amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, nearing its fourth anniversary. This resumption, occurring under President Trump's administration which favors a swift end to the war, aims to ease tensions and avoid military incidents, and coincides with trilateral talks involving Ukraine that produced a prisoner swap deal and agreement on future discussions.

Synthesizing information from multiple news sources, the US and Russia have agreed to resume high-level military communications, suspended since 2021, following talks in Abu Dhabi amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, nearing its fourth anniversary. This resumption, occurring under President Trump's administration which favors a swift end to the war, aims to ease tensions and avoid military incidents, and coincides with trilateral talks involving Ukraine that produced a prisoner swap deal and agreement on future discussions.

Multiple news sources report that Virginia Democrats have proposed a congressional map aimed at gaining four seats in the upcoming midterm elections, a move intended to counter President Trump's redistricting efforts. However, the map's implementation faces hurdles, including legislative approval, a voter-approved constitutional amendment in a special election, and the governor's approval of said election, as the current state constitution grants redistricting power to a bipartisan commission.

Multiple news sources report that Virginia Democrats have proposed a congressional map aimed at gaining four seats in the upcoming midterm elections, a move intended to counter President Trump's redistricting efforts. However, the map's implementation faces hurdles, including legislative approval, a voter-approved constitutional amendment in a special election, and the governor's approval of said election, as the current state constitution grants redistricting power to a bipartisan commission.

Multiple news sources report that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, at age 37, won the 2025 NFL MVP award, narrowly defeating New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, after leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and guiding his team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite the Rams' playoff loss, Stafford's outstanding season, marked by a career-high passer rating and an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, earned him his first MVP award and strengthened his Hall of Fame credentials.

Multiple news sources report that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, at age 37, won the 2025 NFL MVP award, narrowly defeating New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, after leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and guiding his team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite the Rams' playoff loss, Stafford's outstanding season, marked by a career-high passer rating and an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, earned him his first MVP award and strengthened his Hall of Fame credentials.

Multiple news sources report that the Winter Olympics are commencing in Northern Italy on Friday, taking place across four cities: Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno, and boasting natural snow conditions unlike previous Games. The opening ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern time, with coverage available on NBC and Peacock in the United States, and will notably feature two Olympic cauldrons lit simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Multiple news sources report that the Winter Olympics are commencing in Northern Italy on Friday, taking place across four cities: Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo, and Livigno, and boasting natural snow conditions unlike previous Games. The opening ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern time, with coverage available on NBC and Peacock in the United States, and will notably feature two Olympic cauldrons lit simultaneously in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Multiple news sources report that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, at 37 years old, was named the 2025 NFL MVP, narrowly defeating New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and guiding his team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite the Rams' playoff loss, Stafford's outstanding season, marked by a career-high passer rating and an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, earned him his first MVP award and strengthened his Hall of Fame credentials.

Multiple news sources report that Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, at 37 years old, was named the 2025 NFL MVP, narrowly defeating New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns and guiding his team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite the Rams' playoff loss, Stafford's outstanding season, marked by a career-high passer rating and an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception, earned him his first MVP award and strengthened his Hall of Fame credentials.

Multiple news sources highlight the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics amidst significant global geopolitical turmoil, a stark contrast to the Games' ideals of peaceful competition and sportsmanlike conduct. Despite no risk of cancellation like in 1944, the event occurs during a period of frayed diplomatic norms, threats to multilateral cooperation, and ongoing conflicts, creating a sense of discord between the Olympic spirit and the current state of world affairs.

Multiple news sources highlight the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics amidst significant global geopolitical turmoil, a stark contrast to the Games' ideals of peaceful competition and sportsmanlike conduct. Despite no risk of cancellation like in 1944, the event occurs during a period of frayed diplomatic norms, threats to multilateral cooperation, and ongoing conflicts, creating a sense of discord between the Olympic spirit and the current state of world affairs.