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 …

Fatal Failure: A new review of federal crash data reveals that 303 people died as a result of failed airbags in General Motors cars during the same 10-year period when GM was also failing to acknowledge problems with finicky ignition …

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 …

World: Saudi Arabia stunned the UN and the diplomatic world by rejecting a long-desired seat on the Security Council as an act of protest against the UN’s failure to deal with major problems in the Middle East. High on Saudi …

World: Two American soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in another “inside” attack by an Afghan soldier during a morning meeting of Special Forces, An undetermined number of Afghans also died before the shooter was killed. At least 60 NATO …

Admit Strong: Former international cycling champion Lance Armstrong will admit to doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey to be taped Monday, according to USA Today. World: American troops will be finished as the front line defense for Afghanistan by …