5 things you need to know Thursday
Mustang celebrates 50th anniversary
On April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang sporty car went on sale — and exploded into American culture as no other car had since the Model T. The car was introduced at the New York World's Fair and carried a price tag starting at $2,368 — or $17,934 in today's dollars. A special edition of the 2015 Ford Mustang was unveiled Wednesday to celebrate the anniversary at the New York International Auto Show.
Grief-stricken families cling to hope in ferry disaster
An increasingly anxious search continued for 287 passengers still missing a day after a ferry capsized off the southern coast of South Korea carrying 475 people. Families of missing passengers expressed anger and anguish Thursday as they criticized the government's handling of the search and rescue mission. Also, a man identified as the ferry's captain issued a public apology on local television.
Pope Francis observes Maundy
Pope Francis observes Maundy Thursday by washing the feet of 12 residents of a home for the elderly and disabled in Rome. See usatoday.com/news.
Ex-NFL safety to appear in court on rape charges
Former NFL safety Darren Sharper, who has been charged with drugging and raping four women since October, could learn on Thursday whether an Arizona judge grants him bail. He's been in jail since Feb. 27. Arizona prosecutors tried to convince a judge that Sharper should be kept behind bars while he faces felony rape charges, but his attorneys have argued it is not fair to keep him in custody indefinitely while he awaits trial.
John Kerry attends Geneva meeting on Ukraine
Secretary of State John Kerry attends high-stakes diplomatic meetings in Geneva Thursday to try to ease violence in eastern Ukraine. It could be Kiev's final attempt to engage with Russia before Moscow gets hit with more economic sanctions. Ahead of the meeting, Ukrainian troops repelled a deadly attack on a base in the Black Sea port of Mariupol, and Russian President Vladmir Putin made televised statements regarding Ukraine.
