10 things to know for Monday

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

1. CHAVEZ RETURNS TO VENEZUELA

The president announced his return on Twitter when he arrived early today after over two months of hospital treatment in Cuba.

2. TROUBLED COUNTRY SINGER’S SUICIDE

A month after her boyfriend killed himself, 37-year-old Mindy McCready was found dead in her Arkansas home of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

3. OBAMA’S IMMIGRATION BACKUP PLAN

The administration says it will only send its plan to Congress if lawmakers can’t reach a bipartisan solution.

4. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS KIDNAPPED IN NIGERIA

No one immediately claimed responsibility for abducting the seven.

5. GOP OPPONENTS SAY HAGEL WILL GET A VOTE

Critics called the defense secretary nominee a “radical” but said an up-or-down vote should happen this week.

6. PISTORIUS PUTS AWAY HIS BLADES

The double-amputee cancels all races to concentrate on defending himself against murder charges.

7. WHY RUBIO’S WATER BREAK BECAME A BIG DEAL

AP Politics Editor Liz Sidoti says Americans are obsessed with trivial moments in politics, overshadowing important problems like the economy and gun control.

8. WHAT MAKER’S MARK WON’T CHANGE AFTER ALL

The bourbon distiller says public outcry has led it to reverse a decision to cut the alcohol level in its famous whiskey.

9. HOW CHANGING THE CHANNEL CAN MAKE KIDS BEHAVE

Researchers say switching from violent shows to educational TV made a difference for more than 500 families.

10. PATRICK MAKES NASCAR HISTORY

Her victory in the Daytona 500 pole was the first time a woman secured the top spot for any race in NASCAR’s premier circuit.