5 things you need to know Tuesday
1. What's next for Windows?
At an event in San Francisco Tuesday, Microsoft is widely expected to preview a first look at the next big iteration of its iconic computer operating system. As a reminder, the company's last big Windows overhaul — 2012's tablet- and touch-friendly, highly graphical Windows 8 — was a dramatic departure from the familiar Windows 7 that preceded it. It left many consumers frustrated over the disappearance of the familiar Start button and desktop. Whatever they reveal at the 1 p.m. ET event, @NanSanFran will be there covering it live.
2. Hunt for MH370 resumes
Armed with new three-dimensional maps of the southern Indian Ocean floor, search vessels will focus on a 350-nautical-mile-long stretch of seabed for the Malaysia Airlines jet that vanished in March without a trace. Two ships will deploy sonar and submersibles 16,000 feet deep to scan the "priority" section of "the 7th arc," where the Boeing 777 with 239 people aboard may have run out of fuel and crashed. The location, several hundred miles off Western Australia, is based on the jet's final satellite communication, its performance and the projected descent.
3. FCC votes on NFL blackout rules
For much of the past four decades, when an NFL game failed to sell out at least 72 hours in advance of kickoff, the local broadcast could be "blacked out," preventing fans from viewing their local team on TV. In 2012, the NFL relaxed the rule, but it remains largely intact. Tuesday, that rule gets a vote. Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, says the rule makes no sense. The vote is scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. ET.
4. U.S., Afghanistan sign long-delayed security pact
The United States and Afghanistan on Tuesday signed a long-delayed security agreement that will allow about 9,800 American troops to remain in the country past this year. The agreement ensures a long term presence of U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan and sets the two countries on a more stable relationship.
5. Probe of fence-jumping incident at the White House continues
Secret Service Director Julia Pierson is slated to testify Tuesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the heels of Monday's Washington Post report that an armed intruder made it deeper inside the executive mansion than previously disclosed. Pierson is expected to address the Omar Gonzalez incident, as well as a 2011 shooting incident that the Secret Service failed to recognize as an attack on the White House for days until discovering damage left by multiple rounds fired by a high-powered rifle, according to another report by the Post.
And, the essentials:
Weather: The last day of September will feature some severe storms in the Plains along with more soggy weather along the Gulf Coast.
Stocks: Protests continue to rattle Hong Kong stocks; Wall Street stock futures rise.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at 'Selfie' and 'Love Story.'
If you missed Monday's news, we've got you covered here.
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Contributing: Nancy Blair, David Jackson, Jim Michaels,