Allies Hit ISIS in Syria: In a major escalation, the US and its allies hit ISIS militants inside Syria early today in a combined attack using cruise missiles, drones, and precision-guided bombs in the area of Raqqa. The attacks targeted …

Ukraine: At least 31 pro-Russians died in a fire in a trade union building in Odessa on the Black Sea yesterday, making it the single most violent day in the Ukraine/Russia standoff so far. Ten other people were reported killed …

Ukraine: The official time in Crimea jumped two hours ahead last night as Russia’s newest acquisition switched to Moscow time. A crowd of flag-waving Crimeans sang the Russian national anthem as the clock on the main railway station in Simferopol …

Tron: The Administration has appointed an efficiency expert to fix the Obamacare website from the inside. Jeffrey Zients was first appointed in 2009 to the Office of Management and Budget to make federal agencies and departments run efficiently, and in …

Putin Says: Writing in today’s NY Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin takes on the mantle of peacemaker in the Syrian crisis saying, “A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism.” Putin said the US must go …

Syria: President Obama yesterday asked Congress to delay voting on authorization to attack while the administration evaluates a Russian proposal for Syrian chemical weapons to be turned over to international control. Urging caution in a live speech to the nation …

Syria: Russia and Syria appear to have seized on an offhand remark by Secy. of State John Kerry to reach a political solution for the Syrian chemical weapons crisis in which Russia would take and dispose of Syria’s chemical weapons. …

Attack on Democracy: Maoist rebels in India attacked a convoy carrying members of the ruling Congress party, killing 24 and wounding at least 37 others. Indian press reports say the rebels blocked the road with downed trees then set off …

National: Search and rescue crews say everyone seems to be accounted for in the aftermath of the giant Oklahoma tornado. The toll: 24 dead, 240 injured. About 100 were rescued from the rubble. One elementary school was flattened, whole suburban …

National: The political poison pill known as the “Sequester” that forces  $1.2 trillion in automatic federal budget cuts is just nine days away with the White House and Congressional Republicans making no apparent progress in reaching a budget and deficit …