Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. OBAMA'S CONTROVERSIAL DEFENSE PICKS

The president is nominating former U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel defense secretary and counterterrorism John Brennan to head the CIA.

2. A 'MINI-TRIAL' FOR COLORADO THEATER SHOOTING SUSPECT

As experts predict a plea deal, James Holmes' weeklong preliminary hearing may be the closest thing to his trial over the rampage that killed 12 people.

3. LESS INTEREST IN GUN BUYS IN STATES WITH MASS SHOOTINGS

An AP analysis finds requests for background checks late last year were among the lowest in Colorado and Connecticut.

4. CLINTON GOES BACK TO WORK

The secretary of state is meeting with deputies Monday, more than a week after she was hospitalized with a blood clot.

5. GOOGLE VENTURES INTO NORTH KOREA

Google CEO Eric Schmidt arrived Monday for a look at social media in the country with notoriously restrictive Internet policies.

6. HOW EUROPE'S UNIVERSITIES PREPARE STUDENTS

Graduates say they feel untrained to even make professional calls in the workplace after leaving school. Continued...