The Short List: Co-pilot doomed the Germanwings plane; HIV in Indiana; 'Downton' is over

We know it was the co-pilot, but we still don't know why he did it

We put immense trust in pilots to ferry us across the skies. Today, that trust, and our hearts, were broken when French authorities told us that Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of the doomed Germanwings flight that crashed in the French Alps, did it on purpose. He locked the cabin door, keeping the pilot out. He pressed the button that started the plane's descent, beginning an eight-minute plunge into the mountainside, killing the 150 people aboard. Authorities learned all of this from the cockpit voice recorder, which also captured him breathing, and passengers shrieking, on the way down. We still don't know why. Policies for locking airline cockpit doors — reinforced throughout the industry after the terrorist hijackings on Sept. 11, 2001 — differ among countries. The U.S. has procedures to ensure a pilot is never left alone in the cockpit. In other countries, that's not the case, meaning one pilot can lock the other out. Changes are already afoot. Canada and two low-cost European carriers announced today they'll start requiring two crewmembers in the cockpit at all times.

What else in #TheShortList:

• Bowe Bergdahl opens up about his time in captivity
• Serious HIV outbreak in Indiana as 79 cases reported
• NCAA speaks out against Indiana's anti-gay law; also March Madness is back
• Downton Abbey, however, is going away

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Bergdahl says he tried to escape 12 times from captors

We're learning more about Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's time in captivity. Bergdahl was charged by the Army yesterday with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. His attorney has released a statement from Berghdahl offering a wrenching account of his time in captivity. He tried to escape 12 times, according to his statement, and his captors beat the bottoms of his feet and threatened him with cutting off his nose and ears. "In the beginning of my captivity, after my first two escape attempts, for about three months I was chained to a bed spread-eagle and blindfolded," he wrote. "The blindfold was only taken off a few times a day to allow me to eat and use the latrine." His case moves next to a military hearing that would recommend whether to present the case to a court-martial.

HIV outbreak prompts Indiana to OK clean needle exchange

Indiana is trying to contain a serious outbreak of HIV. Gov. Mike Pence today declared a health emergency in the southeastern part of the state. In Scott County, a whopping 79 cases linked to intravenous drug use have been recorded since the middle of December. There are usually five cases annually. Calling it an "epidemic," Pence said the state is sanctioning a short-term needle-exchange program to try and contain the outbreak. All the cases are linked to IV drug use, many with the prescription painkiller Opana. State health officials say they expect to see still more cases appear in the coming weeks. Some have called for Indiana to make needle exchange programs legal.

Also in Indiana, law that discriminates against gays and lesbians has NCAA worried about the Final Four

As host of the Final Four, Indiana is getting ready for some serious basketball action. (Of course, tonight's Sweet 16 has to happen before we can get there.) But the NCAA is "especially concerned" by a recently enacted state law that grants businesses the right to refuse service to gay and lesbian customers based on "religious freedom." NCAA President Mark Emmert laid out his concerns in a statement today. "Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce," the statement said. The NCAA is headquartered in Indianapolis. The city hosts next week's Final Four games. The NCAA says it's "working diligently" to make sure student athletes, and no one attending the Final Four, is negatively impacted by the bill. As for tonight, March Madness is back. Here's what you need to know for tonight's games. Here are the 16 most important players in the Sweet 16.

'Downton' is officially ending (breathe). But there may be a movie in our future

Carson, shut the doors, bring down the shutters, throw dust shields over the furniture: Downton Abbey is closing. The hit period drama's sixth season — the one currently in production — will be its last (if you can't get enough of British period dramas, here are five you can watch that aren't Downton). Producers said it's the right time. "Our feeling is it's good to quit while we're ahead," executive producer Gareth Neame said. "The show is in incredibly strong shape. ... The danger is to let it go on forever ... eight, nine, 10 years. We wanted to end when the time is right, so that people will love it for years to come and not feel there's a drop-off, and we've not outstayed our welcome." Fans of the show will be happy to hear that while there are no plans for a spin-off series, there could be a Downton Abbey movie someday soon. What do you think? Would you like a big screen Downton? Tweet us your thoughts using #TheShortList.

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Extra Bites

So much better than the Burger King crown. Torin Weston, 4, is dressed as King Richard III as he waits for the start of a reinterment ceremony for the historic monarch in Leicester, England. See more photos in the full Day in Pictures gallery.

Have you seen the adorable hippo version of "Mommy & Me?" Funani teaches her new baby how to swim.

Cate Blanchett calls out an interviewer for a ridiculous question (in the classiest way possible).

To celebrate 20 years of the Frap, Starbucks is offering a limited-time Birthday Cake Frappuccino from March 26-30. Happy Birthday to us all.

What else is on our reading list:

Review: Cartel funded DEA agent sex parties

King Richard III reburied in Leicester Cathedral

5 ways to beef up your retirement savings

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This is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.

Contributing: John Bacon, Bart Jansen, Doug Stanglin, Maria Puente, Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY; Lori Grisham, USA TODAY Network; Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports; Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star