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 report that the Louvre has released photos of Empress Eugenie's crown, which sustained "crushing damage" during a daring €76 million heist in October, where thieves stole jewels but dropped the headpiece during their escape. Despite the damage, including a missing golden eagle and some lost diamonds, the Louvre asserts the crown is largely intact and can be restored by an expert committee, though the stolen jewels remain unrecovered and five individuals have been charged in connection with the crime.

Multiple news sources report that the Louvre has released photos of Empress Eugenie's crown, which sustained "crushing damage" during a daring €76 million heist in October, where thieves stole jewels but dropped the headpiece during their escape. Despite the damage, including a missing golden eagle and some lost diamonds, the Louvre asserts the crown is largely intact and can be restored by an expert committee, though the stolen jewels remain unrecovered and five individuals have been charged in connection with the crime.

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.

This week's news, compiled from multiple sources, covers a diverse range of topics, from Cameron Faulkner's Nintendo Switch 2 case reviews and the arrest of Colin Demarco for a politically motivated murder plot, to ice dancers Chock and Bates' innovative Olympic routine. Other notable stories include a Sundance award for a secretly filmed Iranian movie, Neon's acquisition of "Once Upon a Time in Harlem," Cuban President Díaz-Canel's openness to U.S. dialogue, Bad Bunny's promotion of Puerto Rican culture, and mixed reviews for Isabel Sandoval's film "Moonglow."

This week's news, compiled from multiple sources, covers a diverse range of topics, from Cameron Faulkner's Nintendo Switch 2 case reviews and the arrest of Colin Demarco for a politically motivated murder plot, to ice dancers Chock and Bates' innovative Olympic routine. Other notable stories include a Sundance award for a secretly filmed Iranian movie, Neon's acquisition of "Once Upon a Time in Harlem," Cuban President Díaz-Canel's openness to U.S. dialogue, Bad Bunny's promotion of Puerto Rican culture, and mixed reviews for Isabel Sandoval's film "Moonglow."

Multiple news sources report that geologists have confirmed that two continent-sized, ultrahot structures deep within the Earth's mantle, known as large low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs), have influenced the planet's magnetic field for the last 265 million years. A new study in Nature Geoscience used mantle evidence and supercomputer simulations to demonstrate that temperature differences between LLSVPs and the surrounding mantle affect the flow of liquid iron in the core, ultimately shaping the irregular magnetic field we observe today.

Multiple news sources report that geologists have confirmed that two continent-sized, ultrahot structures deep within the Earth's mantle, known as large low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs), have influenced the planet's magnetic field for the last 265 million years. A new study in Nature Geoscience used mantle evidence and supercomputer simulations to demonstrate that temperature differences between LLSVPs and the surrounding mantle affect the flow of liquid iron in the core, ultimately shaping the irregular magnetic field we observe today.

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 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 the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened after two years, offering relief for Palestinians needing medical treatment abroad. However, many elderly Palestinians, like Kefaya al-Assar, are choosing to remain in Gaza, viewing it as an act of resistance and a way to avoid repeating what they see as their parents' mistake of fleeing their homes during the 1948 Nakba, despite facing displacement and hardship due to the ongoing conflict.

Multiple news sources report that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has partially reopened after two years, offering relief for Palestinians needing medical treatment abroad. However, many elderly Palestinians, like Kefaya al-Assar, are choosing to remain in Gaza, viewing it as an act of resistance and a way to avoid repeating what they see as their parents' mistake of fleeing their homes during the 1948 Nakba, despite facing displacement and hardship due to the ongoing conflict.

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.