Daily Briefing: 'The longest day of our lives'

It's been one year since the forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. Disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh denied killing his wife and son but admitted to lying to investigators during his double murder trial. And it's goodbye to two TV staples — Meredith Grey has left "Grey's Anatomy" and "Succession" is quitting HBO.

It's Jane Onyanga-Omara and Steve Coogan, Daily Briefing authors. This is a job someone can have? Meet the first and only female master builder at LEGOLAND New York.

Now, here's Friday's news.

Ukrainians mark 1 year since Russian invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged to push for victory in 2023 as Ukrainians on Friday marked the somber first anniversary of the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on their resilience in the face of Europe’s biggest and deadliest war since World War II. He said they had proven themselves to be invincible in what he called "a year of pain, sorrow, faith and unity." "It was "the longest day of our lives. The hardest day of our modern history. We woke up early and haven’t fallen asleep since," he said in a video address. Ukrainians planned memorials, candle vigils and other remembrances for their tens of thousands of dead. President Joe Biden announced sweeping new sanctions Friday against Russia. Read more

• "Morale, will, determination": Do Ukraine forces have an edge one year into war? Live updates.

• "We need to keep living": What life is like for Ukrainians a year into Russia's invasion.

• "It's hard, but they're holding on": On the ground in Ukraine, the war depends on U.S. weapons.

• Lives lost, cities leveled: A visual look at the war in Ukraine one year later.

Alex Murdaugh takes the stand after admitting to lying, stealing but denies double murder

Disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh denied killing his wife and son but admitted to lying to investigators and committing past financial crimes that included stealing money from clients Thursday as he testified in his own defense in his double murder trial. Murdaugh, 54, is charged in connection with the shootings of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh. He has pleaded not guilty. Murdaugh vehemently denied shooting Maggie and Paul on June 7, 2021, at the family's property. "I would never intentionally do anything to hurt either one of them. Ever. Ever," he said. Cross-examination is expected to continue Friday. Read more

• Who is the real Alex Murdaugh? More on the man who wrecked a South Carolina legal dynasty.

• Netflix's Alex Murdaugh docuseries "Murdaugh Murders": Here's what you should know.

More news to know now

• 💨 Friday weather forecast: Winter storm leads to rare blizzard warnings in Southern California.

• 🚨 Journalist and 9-year-old girl among 3 killed, 2 injured in Orlando shootings: What we know.

• 🏈 "It was time to move on": Eric Bieniemy explains why he left Chiefs for Commanders.

• 📰 How well did you pay attention this week? Take the USA TODAY weekly News Quiz!

• 🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard reports from Kyiv on the anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.

🌤 What's the weather up to in your neck of the woods? Check your local forecast here.

Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly sentenced to more prison time

Convicted sex offenders Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly were each sentenced to more time in prison Thursday for further crimes. A Los Angeles judge sentenced former movie mogul Weinstein to 16 years in prison after a jury convicted him of the 2013 rape and sexual assault of an Italian actor and model, adding on to the 23 years he is already serving as he continues to face repercussions from sexual assault allegations that kickstarted the #MeToo movement. The prison term, along with the 23 years he was handed in 2020 for a similar conviction in New York, amounts to a likely life sentence for the 70-year-old. Read more

A federal judge in Chicago rejected a call from prosecutors to keep R. Kelly behind bars until he is 100. The judge sentenced the Grammy Award-winning R&B singer to 20 years in prison on another set of sex crimes, including several child pornography charges. But 19 of those years will be served concurrently with his existing prison time, meaning only one year gets added to the end of the first 30-year sentence, imposed on him last year in New York for federal racketeering and sex trafficking convictions. The new sentence means Kelly could make it out of prison alive, when he is about 80. Kelly's defense lawyer celebrated the ruling as a victory, and some of the singer's fans could be heard cheering outside the courtroom. Read more

Just for subscribers:

• 🔵 "They can come for you": For Russian protesters, a free-speech crackdown sharpens threat.

• 🚨 Column: Police keep killing Black people. Civilian watchdogs need more authority to make it stop.

• ⛪️ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hid investments for 22 years, SEC says.

• 🏃‍♂️Why is your exciting new fling afraid of commitment? They may be a "flashpanner."

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TV goodbyes: Meredith Grey leaves 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Succession' to leave HBO

The world of television brought one goodbye fans have seen coming and another they probably didn't Thursday. After more than 400 episodes, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) left Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, the fictional setting of ABC's medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," to move to Boston. The character will still be the series' voiceover and is expected to make return appearances. Over at HBO, "Succession" fans should enjoy the upcoming Season 4, because it will be the beloved drama's last season, creator Jesse Armstrong said in an interview published Thursday. The final season will begin March 26. Read more

• Meredith's "Grey's" departure is more than OK: It was "necessary for the show to continue and outlive her for potential seasons to come," writes David Oliver.

• The next generation: Meet the new interns shaking up "Grey's Anatomy" in Season 19.

• "Don't get me going on it": "Succession" star Brian Cox says co-star Jeremy Strong's acting technique is "annoying."

• Looking back at the 2022 Emmys: "Succession" wins best drama, "Ted Lasso" takes top comedy for second time.

📷 Photo of the day: Dancing in the streets — Brazilians celebrate carnival 📷

Costumes, check. Face paint, check. Brazilians were back out in force for their world-famous carnival celebrations this month. Brazil's federal government expected 46 million people to join the festivities that officially began last Friday and ran through Feb. 22. The Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro is billed as the world’s biggest party, but other cities had plenty of festivities too, including Salvador, Recife and metropolitan Sao Paulo.

Click on the link to see our gallery capturing just a snapshot of the revelry.

One more thing

• 📺 Final "Jeopardy!" stumps two players, but Twitter thinks it's "pretty simple": Can you solve it?

• ✨ "Impossibly massive galaxies" discovered at the dawn of the universe, researchers say.

• 🎤 Lewis Capaldi fans take over for singer as he appears to deal with Tourette's tics onstage.

• 🚢 "A completely unique experience": Sail to Greenland's northern tip on this expedition cruise.

• 📺 From Reviewed: Catch up on "Ted Lasso'"before season 3 airs in March — sign up for Apple TV+ here.

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Contributing: The Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine war anniversary, Alex Murdaugh, Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly