Ukraine: Russia is demanding an apology from Ukraine claiming artillery fire hit a Russian border post and destroyed a building. It happened just as Ukraine declared a one-day ceasefire. A Kremlin statement said about the ceasefire, “this is not an …

Iraq: President Obama is sending 300 military advisors to stiffen the spine of the Iraqi army that’s collapsing before advancing Sunni Islamist rebels. Although the presence of “advisors” is often the first step to entering combat, Obama said American soldiers …

Iraq: President Obama is considering direct military action against Islamic militants threatening the control of the Iraqi government. Fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have moved as close as 30 miles from Baghdad. President Obama said, …

World: World leaders gathered in Normandy today to mark the 70th anniversary of the allied invasion to free Europe from Nazi Germany. The inescapable irony is that Russian President Vladmir Putin, whose bullying of Ukraine threatens world peace, was present …

Ukraine: A peaceful demonstration turned violent when pro-Russian demonstrators attacked the police station in Odessa. They had gathered to memorialize and protest the deaths 31 fellow demonstrators who were killed Friday inside a union building that burned. Ukraine’s interim Prime …

National: At least 17 people died yesterday in tornadoes and violent storms that struck the South and Midwest. One tornado was said to have been on the ground for 80 miles. Extensive damage was reported in several towns north of …

Black Balled: The NBA is investigating racist remarks on an audio recording attributed to LA Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling. On the recording the voice reported to be Sterling’s chides his girlfriend saying, “It bothers me a lot that you …

Ukraine Warming: A series of events is ratcheting up the tension in the Ukraine crisis. The US says Russian fighter jets have violated Ukrainian airspace at least half a dozen times in recent days. It’s not clear what might be …

Mickey Rooney: The Depression Era star who said “Hey kids, let’s put on a show” and became the most famous teenager in America as the optimistic Andy Hardy, has died at age 93 in North Hollywood, Calif. From 1939 to …

Ukraine: Russian President Vladimir Putin called President Obama on the phone yesterday to talk about a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis. It’s too soon to know whether Putin has blinked in the international standoff. Diplomats will meet to talk …