This is AP News Minute.Residents of Ukraine’s strategic Crimean Peninsula are voting whether to demand greater autonomy or seek to join Russia.The European Union and the United States say the outcome will not be recognized because the referendum is illegal.Malaysian investigators are examining a flight simulator taken from the home of one of the missing jetliner's pilots.Authorities are also asking Asian governments to divulge sensitive radar data.Locating the plane in the massive search area without the data may be impossible.At the Vatican,Pope Francis asked pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square to pray for the passengers and crew of the missing Malaysia Airlines plane."We are close to them at this difficult time," the Pope told the gathered faithful.And Irish all over the world are celebrating St. Patrick's Day.Even a lot of people who aren't Irish are celebrating as well.Parades, parties and a lot of blarney accompany the annual celebration of the patron saint of Ireland.Tom Ritchie, the Associated Press with AP News Minute.
