Tighten Up: Punishing Russia for its continued involvement in the Ukraine crisis, President Obama yesterday imposed new and more severe sanctions on Russian banks, energy, and defense companies. “I’ve repeatedly made it clear that Russia must halt the flow of …

Derailed: A Moscow Metro subway train derailed and crashed today, killing at least 20 people and injuring 150. The cause was not immediately evident. The crash happened 275 feet below the streets, making rescue and recovery more difficult. Authorities say …

Nation:A Mississippi child thought to have been cured of HIV is again showing signs of the infection, according to federal health officials. Born with HIV, the child was aggressively treated and thought to be free of HIV in March 2013. …

Ukraine: Pro-Russian separatists have taken positions within the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk in anticipation of an onslaught by Ukrainian troops. Russia appears to be standing by, taking no action, as Ukraine sealed off the border to stop the flow …

Middle East: At least six members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas were killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza. Israel said the strikes were in retaliation for rocket attacks. The region is simmering after the killing of three Israeli …

Ukraine: The army has pushed Pro-Russian separatists out of the eastern city of Slovyansk, which they have held since April. It’s too early to know how much of a blow this is to the separatist movement. Rebel leaders said that …

Executive in Action: Frustrated with Congress, President Obama says he will reform immigration by executive action. The president made his announcement after House Speaker John Boehner announced that Congress will not vote on immigration reform this year. Obama said in …

Iraq: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has rejected international calls to form a unity government that includes the Sunni minority to defuse the country’s civil war. Maliki is a Shiite who has squeezed Sunnis out of power in both the military …

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 …