The China Play: The Obama administration today announced it reached a deal with China to eliminate tariffs on information and technology products ranging from video-game consoles and computer software to medical equipment and semiconductors. It could be the single best …

I Spy: The Justice Department this morning announced espionage charges against five members of China’s People’s Liberation Army, accusing them of stealing trade secrets from American companies. It’s unprecedented to remotely indict officials of a foreign government, but needless to say, …

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: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he is pulling back his troops from the eastern Ukraine border. “We have pulled them back. Today they are not at the Ukrainian border but in places of regular exercises, at training grounds.” …

Nation: Senate Republicans blocked a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, saying a hike would slow the economy and force employers to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs. The federal minimum is now $7.25. But …

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 …

Threats: Russia is stepping up threats to use military force in Ukraine according to comments by the foreign minister in a television interview. “Russian citizens being attacked is an attack against the Russian Federation,” said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Ukraine …

Ukraine: Photographs of the so-called “Green Men”, the armed pro-Russians who have occupied government buildings in Eastern Ukraine, prove that they are actually Russian soldiers and intelligence agents, according to the Ukraine and US governments. Despite denials from the Kremlin, …

Ferry Disaster: Transcripts of conversation between the sinking South Korean Ferry and the Vessel Traffic Center reveal confusion about whether to send passengers into the water. An unidentified crewmember asks, “If this ferry evacuates passengers, will you be able to …