In this photo taken on Sunday, March 16, 2014, Pro-Russia demonstrators chant slogans as they carry a giant flag during a rally at a central square in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Thousands of pro-Russia demonstrators gathered in the Ukraine’s northeastern town to show their support for the Crimean referendum.Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
- CRIMEANS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO JOIN RUSSIA
Crimea’s parliament declares the region an independent state following a referendum where 97 percent voted in favor of splitting from the Ukraine. Ukraine’s new government in Kiev calls the referendum a “circus” directed at gunpoint by Moscow.
- OBAMA TO PUTIN: US WON’T RECOGNIZE CRIMEA VOTE
U.S. officials reaffirm that the White House and European Union will impose penalties on Russia if it annexes the strategic region.
- WHAT’S NEXT IN SEARCH FOR MISSING MALAYSIA AIRLINER
Malaysia says searches have begun in both the northern and southern corridors of a vast swath of Asia where the missing Malaysia Airlines jet is believed to have ended up.
- WHY ARMY WILL DROP SEX ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST GENERAL
Lawyers for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair say he will plead to lesser charges after the prosecution’s case crumbled as questions arose about whether the accuser lied in a pre-trial hearing.