Start your Monday smart: Pompeo, Antwon Rose, Brexit, R. Kelly, March Madness, spring

(You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. You give us five minutes, and we give you five things you must know for your weekday, plus a Sunday edition to get your week started smart. Sign up here.)

• The top US diplomat heads back to the Mideast. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon. The trip comes just weeks ahead of the Israeli elections that will determine the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pompeo visited the region in January, with a focus on ISIS and Iran.

• It's Selection Sunday! The top 68 teams in college basketball are revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. NCAA tournament play begins Tuesday.

• Richard Nixon's life and times. The CNN Original Series "Tricky Dick" features never-before-seen footage as it tracks the rise, fall, comeback and political destruction of the 37th President. It premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

• An ex-President welcomes new US citizens. George W. Bush and Laura Bush will be on hand when new Americans are sworn in in Dallas. Both will speak about "significant contributions of immigrants to our society and economy and the importance of border security" -- hot-button subjects in Washington.

• The ex-cop accused of killing Antwon Rose II goes on trial. Authorities in Pittsburgh are on high alert as the trial is set to begin for Michael Rosfeld, who's charged with homicide in last year's fatal shooting of the 17-year-old. Rose was black and unarmed; Rosfeld is white. The killing sparked big protests at the time.

• Brazil's President visits the White House. Jair Bolsonaro, known for making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks, is President Donald Trump's guest. The leaders both have taken hard lines on immigration and moved to reverse their nations' climate change policies.

• Another week of Brexit woes. The deadline arrives for the UK Parliament to vote for a third time on Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for her nation to exit the European Union. If it passes, she'll ask EU leaders on Thursday to delay the departure until June 30. If either request fails, Brexit will happen March 29, with or without a deal.

• Welcome, spring! The vernal equinox begins when the sun is directly above the Earth's equator and the length of day and night are equal. A supermoon also shines on that night.

• The Special Olympics World Games comes to an end. From badminton to volleyball, top athletes with intellectual disabilities have been going for gold in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It also happens to be World Down Syndrome Day.

• R. Kelly legal drama continues in court. The singer, who's accused of sexually abusing teens, is due back in court in Chicago. He also faces a legal battle over child support. Kelly has long denied allegations of abusing women and being sexually involved with underage girls. A recent docuseries put a fresh spotlight on the accusations.

• Latin American leaders meet amid Venezuela crisis. Venezuela's self-declared president, opposition leader Juan Guaido, is expected at the first summit of a group of Latin American leaders known as Prosur.

The South American county is in chaos as Guaido wrestles for control with President Nicolas Maduro, who's overseen a period of hyperinflation and poverty.

Let's block ads! (Why?)