Nation: General Motors will pay a $35 million fine for failure to report potentially fatal problems with the ignition switches in 2.6 million cars, according to the Department of Transportation. The switches were prone to turning off while the cars …

California Burning: At least eight homes have burned and firefighters will be on the line for the third day in the San Diego area, battling early-season wildfires. By 8:30 last night nine fires in Southern California had burned more than …

Ukraine Crisis: Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he considers the toppling of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovich to be an “unconstitutional coup” and he reserves the right to use force if necessary to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine. “If I …

Solemnly Swear: Progressive Bill de Blasio took the oath as mayor of New York with a vow to fight what he called the “quiet crisis” of inequality. “We are called to put an end to economic and social inequalities that …

Russian Bombing: A suicide bombing outside the main railroad station is Volgograd, Russia, killed 15 people today and wounded more than 40. Volgograd is about 550 miles southeast of Moscow. The bomb went off as security officers approached a woman …

Wet White Christmas: A winter storm stretching from Arkansas to the northern tip of Maine is bringing everything from flood warnings to snow and ice. Tornadoes ripped through Mississippi yesterday, killing one man when his mobile home overturned and another …

Devastation: The death toll from Friday’s monster typhoon could reach 10,000 in the city of Tacloban alone, Philippine authorities say. Hardest hit were Tacloban and Ormoc on the island of Leyte in the central Philippines, but people are reported dead …

Syria: The White House has released graphic video of victims in the Aug. 21 Syrian gas attack as the administration continues to press its case for an attack. The pictures show victims, some of them children, convulsing and foaming at …

Syria: The US military is ready to strike Syria at a moment’s notice, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said yesterday. Air strikes would probably come from ship-based cruise missiles because Syria’s strong air defense could knock down bombers. Softening the political …

Global Alert: The US has issued a global travel alert, citing a threat of Al Qaeda attacks in the Middle East or North Africa. The State Department bulletin says, “Current information suggests that Al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to …