President Obama unveils retaliatory actions against Russia for its alleged hacking of Democratic emails. He’s expelling nearly three dozen diplomats from the Russian embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco and imposing sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies. Russia and Turkey broker a nationwide ceasefire in Syria amid hopes it will lead to successful negotiations bringing an end to the bloody conflict. Youthful climate activists want to force the testimony of Exxon-Mobil CEO and Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson in their federal lawsuit on climate change. A hateful voicemail left for the author of legislation taking effect on January first that bars the use of the term “redskins” as a public school team name or mascot in California.