Ukraine:  Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said his country will seek closer ties with the European Union, just what thousands of protesters were demanding in the fiery violence that took at least 77 lives. “We have to return to the family of European countries,” Turchynov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be watching the situation closely and recalled his ambassador for consultation.

 Ousted President Viktor Yanukovych had rejected the European Union and accepted a financial bailout from Russia.

Ukraine is struggling to find its feet. It has plenty of natural resources but flounders even while it should have the ability to prosper. Despite periods of reform and growth since declaring independence in 1990, its leaders have clung to Russia and its own ruling class of the rich some have described as a “kleptocracy” for what they steal from the country. The protesters want to join a successful Europe and get out of the clutches of Russia, where Ukraine has been since the 18^th Century.

In the aftermath of his overthrow, the ejected Yanukovych was found to have been living in opulence on an estate just outside Kiev. He had a private zoo, a collection of classic cars, a golf course, and a private restaurant shaped like a pirate ship. It is evidence of the kind of corruption the led to months of street demonstrations and political violence. Yanukovych left town and it’s uncertain where he is.

Nation: Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel is expected to announce today a plan to cut the US military to a size not seen since before WWII. Hagel would trim the size of the army, eliminate air wings, and abandon the long-held principle of maintaining the ability to fight land wars on two separate continents simultaneously.

Three Pointer: Jason Collins, a 35-year-old center, suited up last night for the Brooklyn Nets and became the first openly gay player in the NBA. The Nets gave Collins a 10-day tryout contract yesterday before he played against the Lakers in Los Angeles. After finishing last season with the Washington Wizards, Collins announced that he’s gay and sat on the sidelines of basketball until now. Collins said last night about coming out, “Life is so much better for me. I don’t have to hide who I am.”

Lost In Translation: Piers Morgan, CNN’s British host who speaks English but not American, is calling it quits, the NY Times reports. Falling ratings reflect how Morgan is irritating the US with lectures about guns and explanations of American issues in a British accent. The Times’ David Carr quotes Morgan saying, “Look, I am a British guy debating American cultural issues, including guns, which has been very polarizing, and there is no doubt that there are many in the audience who are tired of me banging on about it.”

Sochi: For people who count the medals, Russia came in first with 33, followed by the US with 28 and Norway with 26 medals. A stunning statistic: The Netherlands won 24 medals, all of them in speed skating and short track racing.

-The US four-man bobsled team won bronze while the Russians took gold.

-The closing ceremonies were another colorful spectacle displaying Russian music, choreography, ballet, literature, and artistic imagination. It was beautiful. So really, Vladimir, couldn’t you have smiled?

-The Winter Olympics now move on the Pyeongchang, South Korea. That’s pronounced “pyung-chang.” Not as hard as it looks.

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