News & Sports

Of the nominations for pope, several names are coming to the surface, including that of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York. Another American, Cardinal Sean O'Malley from Boston, is also considered one of the top papal contenders. TODAY's Lester Holt interviews NBC contributor Father Robert Barron. (TODAY)

In an effort to bring more attention to the regional combines, it's been revealed that for $275 anyone can show up and try out, bringing an American Idol vibe to the event. Teams don't send their best scouts to the combines, but it's still an opportunity to show what you can do, which might not be the worst way to spend $275. (NBC Sports)

A week before Pope Benedict retires, there is still no clear candidate to succeed him. There is a possibility New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan, praised in Catholic circles for his efforts to revitalize the church, may be a frontrunner. TODAY's Anne Thompson reports. (TODAY)

A secretive memo from the Justice Department, provided to NBC News, provides new information about the legal reasoning behind one of the Obama administration's controversial policies. Now, John Brennan, Obama's nominee for CIA director, is expected to face tough questions about drone strikes on Thursday when he appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee. NBC's Michael Isikoff reports. (Nightly News)

Three American travelers from Wyoming were on vacation in Peru, hiking near Machu Picchu, when they were confronted by villagers who beat them with rocks and ransacked their vehicle, causing them to need over 100 stitches between them. NBC's Contessa Brewer reports. (TODAY)

Intelligence officials tell NBC News four of the five Americans working at the natural gas complex survived: two escaped and two more are being held. The kidnappers are saying they will exchange the US hostages for two high-profile terror suspects currently in US custody. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports. (Nightly News)

US officials are saying very little about the Algerian military operation to free those taken hostage after militants attacked a gas facility Wednesday morning. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports. (Nightly News)

Retired FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iranian territory in 2007. NBC's Pete Williams reports. (Mitchell Reports)

Those already undergoing the costly process of adopting a child from Russia found out Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a law barring any future adoptions, canceling the ones in progress. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports. (Nightly News)