Good morning, and happy Wednesday. Here are six of the top stories we are following this morning at NBC News:
1. Data deleted from missing pilot’s flight simulator: official
Malaysian officials said today they were using forensics to retrieve data from a flight simulator found at the home of Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the 53-year-old captain of the missing Boeing 777. Officials are still trying to determine why the Malaysia Airlines jet was deliberately diverted en route to Beijing on March 8. Read more in NEWS.
2. Pro-Russia forces storm Ukrainian Navy headquarters
Journalists witnessed soldiers taking down the gate to the naval base in Crimea today and hoisting a Russian flag. Later, Ukrainian servicemen were seen being led out of the base with suitcases in hand. The move comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty with Crimean leaders to annex the peninsula from the Ukraine. Read more in NEWS.
3. Two winning tickets share in Mega Millions jackpot
Did you take home the $400 million prize? Two winning tickets from Tuesday night’s drawing were sold — one in Maryland and the other in Florida. The winning numbers were 11, 19, 24, 33, 51, and a Mega Ball of 7. Read more in NEWS.
4. Fatal helicopter crash in Seattle leads to regulations review
A news helicopter crashed near the Space Needle on Tuesday, killing two on board and seriously injuring a man on the ground. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the city would look at its regulations governing helipads, which hasn’t been revised since the Clinton administration. Read more in NEWS.
5. Pistorius trial: Shot girlfriend was in ‘defensive position’
Testimony continued today in the murder trial against South African sprinting star Oscar Pistorius, who fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in their home last year. A police captain said he believes Steenkamp had fallen back onto a magazine rack when she was shot and that she was in the “defensive position” because her arm was lifted. Pistorius says he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder Read more in NEWS.
6. Women at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s: report
A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association has found the disease disproportionately affects women. “Women are at the epicenter of Alzheimer's disease today, not only by being most likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but also by being the caregiver most of the time,” said association vice president Maria Carrillo. Read more in HEALTH.
… What’s trending today?
Look who’s finally getting his just desserts.
Three-year-old Mateo became an Internet sensation when he told his mom, “Linda, honey, listen,” as he persuaded her — unsuccessfully — to let him have a cupcake for dinner. The clip garnered 4.3 million views on YouTube.
On Tuesday, it was Ellen DeGeneres who gave the precocious preschooler his sweet treats.