Five Things to Know for Your New Day – Thursday, March 27, 2014

The search teams looking for debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines plane get no help from the weather. The ruling that Northwestern University football players can unionize could be a game changer. And Russian military forces poised on the border of Ukraine are more likely to invade than first thought.

It's Thursday, and here are the 5 things to know for your "New Day."

1. MISSING PLANE

Grounded again: The weather isn't cooperating in the search for traces of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the southern Indian Ocean. Rough skies, nearly zero visibility and ice brought an early end to today's search. For now, the suspension of the air search dims hopes that teams might soon be able to pinpoint and retrieve objects spotted in satellite images. Yesterday, Malaysia said it had received satellite images showing 122 potential objects floating in the ocean

2. NORTHWESTERN PLAYERS UNION RULING

Potential game changer: This could change college football forever. The National Labor Relations Board in Chicago ruled yesterday that football players at Northwestern University are employees and can unionize. The athletes want better medical coverage, concussion testing, four-year scholarships and the possibility of being paid. The university says it will appeal. This could take years to resolve.

3. OBAMA MEETS THE POPE

The President and the Pontiff: A heavenly huddle? We're not sure about that, but U.S. President Barack Obama and Pope Francis met for the first time today in Vatican City. The goal: focus on areas where two of the world's most influential men agree and gently tread ground where they differ. Here's how the White House put it: "The President looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality."

4. WASHINGTON STATE LANDSLIDE

No good news: Search teams in Snohomish County, Washington, are looking for signs of life, but they aren't finding any. It's been days since they've pulled out anyone alive after a landslide over the weekend. Sixteen people are confirmed dead and another eight bodies have been found but not recovered. Ninety people are missing or unaccounted for. The landslide is big. It covers a square mile and is up to 40 feet thick.

5. UKRAINE CRISIS

Invasion threat: It's looking more and more likely that Russian forces will enter eastern Ukraine. That comes from a new U.S. classified intelligence assessment. American officials believe more than 30,000 Russian forces have massed on the border with Ukraine. Others are on alert. What does it mean? Russian President Vladimir Putin has the ability to rapidly move into Ukraine without the United States being able to predict when it will happen. If Moscow makes such a move, it will be to strengthen its position in the region after annexing Crimea.

Those are your five biggies for the day. Here are a few others that are brewing and have the Internet buzzing.

- Coolest dad: It's time for another episode of "Action Movie Kid," where a dad with mad video editing skills turns a regular boy into a superhero. Let's face it, the rest of us parents just can't compete.

- Overachiever: Here's some impressive work by a woman who wants to be an ad agency intern. One agency told her to put together a campaign with her as the product. This is what she came up with: a Lego alter ego. Way to go, Leah!

- Welcome home: Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini pulls the ol' misdirection play, helping a returning soldier surprise his wife after nine months abroad. Becca Salomons thought she was on campus for a stadium tour and a picture with the Husker headman when he hands off to her husband Matthew.

- Junior snowboarder: Seventeen-month-old Aspen is already shredding the slopes! Check her out in her little boots on her mini snowboard.

There you go. All you need to know to get an early start to your morning.
Be sure to tune in to "New Day," from 6 to 9 a.m. ET, join us at NewDayCNN.com and go and have a GREAT NEW DAY!