Sochi Accident: Russian Olympic skicross racer Maria Komissarova broke and dislocated her spine during a training run this morning. Her condition was so serious she underwent surgery in a mountainside hospital rather than be transported to the city. Skicross is …

Out: Missouri football star Michael Sam, a defensive end who’s expected to be an early round NFL draft pick, announced that he’s gay. He’s 6-2, 260 pounds and would be the first openly gay player in the NFL. But he’s …

The Gavel: A federal judge in Oklahoma has struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, but hold the wedding bells. The judge set aside his own order to give the state a chance to appeal. The decision was not …

TWTR: Shares of Twitter opened this morning at $45.10, nearly $20 higher than the offering price of $26, or $18.1 billion for the entire company. The 140-character message service has become a player in personal relationships, politics, even war. But, …

Shutdown Throwdown: Day 8. President Obama challenged House Speaker John Boehner to hold an open up or down vote on whether to fund the federal government. “Let every member of Congress vote their conscience and they can determine whether or …

Syria: The British Parliament yesterday rejected by 13 votes a measure to take part in air strikes against Syria in retaliation for using chemical weapons against civilians. The vote is an embarrassing defeat for British Prime Minister David Cameron and …

World: Police arrested two of the factory owners in the Bangladesh building collapse. About 340 people are dead and 75 have been pulled from the rubble that housed five factories. Authorities ordered the arrest of the building and garment factory …

Women to the Front: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is expected to announce today that he is lifting the ban on women in combat. It may take until 2016 to integrate women into all aspects of the military, including front …

Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King Day 2nd Term, Day 1: President Obama was given a ceremonial swearing in at the Capitol this morning … he was officially sworn yesterday.  The President gave a speech edged with political content, speaking up …

World:  Algerian forces today were still defusing mines and booby traps at a remote desert natural gas complex in eastern Algeria. The final special forces assault ended with at least 23 hostages and 32 Islamist militants dead over a four-day …