World: The US has warned airlines flying to Sochi for the Olympics that explosives could be smuggled on board inside tubes of toothpaste and other toiletries. The reason for the warning was not given and no specific threat was identified. …

Blocked Shot: Day 12. President Obama this morning rejected a House Republican offer to raise the debt ceiling and end the shutdown Thursday. Republican leaders were described as angry as they left a closed-door meeting. House members are heading home …