1. MISSING PLANE
Keeping an ear out: Those underwater pulses an Australian navy ship detected over the weekend haven’t been heard since, but Australian Defense Minister David Johnston says it’s full speed ahead in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Investigators are hoping the signals could be locator beacons from the plane’s data recorders, but it’s too soon to tell. They hope to pinpoint their location before battery power runs out and they go silent. In any case, the search has grown much smaller. “Instead of looking at an area the size of Texas, we’re now looking in an area the size of Houston,” aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas told CNN.
2. NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
From 64 to one: March Madness is over. The University of Connecticut howled with delight last night as the Huskies won the 2014 NCAA men’s basketball championship. Challenged, but never surpassed, UConn held off the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 to collect their fourth crown since 1999. The Huskies never trailed in the game. The women’s title game is tonight.
3. OSCAR PISTORIUS TRIAL
Day 2 for the defense: More than a year after Oscar Pistorius killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, the Blade Runner is set to explain why in court today. Pistorius has cried, covered his face, plugged his ears and thrown up repeatedly as earlier witnesses have talked about how Steenkamp suffered, so the moment when Pistorius is forced to discuss the killing himself could be dramatic. It follows yesterday’s emotional start that saw him apologize to Steenkamp’s family. He pleaded not guilty to murder when the high-profile trial opened last month. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder in his house when he fired multiple gunshots through a door, killing her.
4. UKRAINE CRISIS
Turmoil in the east: Russian special services are coordinating separatist groups in eastern Ukraine and deserve the blame for the revolts there over the weekend. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov is the one pointing the finger. “Enemies of Ukraine are trying to play out the Crimean scenario, but we will not let this happen,” Turchynov said on TV. Russia annexed Crimea last month.
BTW: A Washington Post blog says only one in six Americans can find Ukraine on a map.
5. FORT HOOD SHOOTER
The investigation: Taunting by fellow soldiers may have tripped the trigger in last week’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. Suspected shooter Spc. Ivan Lopez had recently asked to transfer, saying he was being picked on by soldiers in his unit, an official familiar with the investigation said. Lopez is accused of killing three people and injuring 16 others before taking his own life. He was being treated for anxiety and depression.
articles courtest of CNN.com
