Russian President Vladimir Putin says he won’t engage in tit for tat expulsions of U.S. diplomats following President Obama’s order expelling 35 Russians. A Syrian ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey largely is holding; talks on a political settlement may take place next month. The San Francisco District Attorney has decided not to retry a 22 … Continued


  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 … Continued


Secretary of State John Kerry blasts Israel in unusually blunt language for its settlements policies on occupied Palestinian lands. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly responds, calling Kerry’s Mideast policy speech a great disappointment, but saying better days lie ahead with the incoming Trump Administration. Turkey’s foreign minister says his country and Russia have prepared an agreement … Continued


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu verbally lashes out at the United Nations Security Council member states who approved a resolution condemning Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian lands.  New California gun safety laws take effect on January first. Water protectors at the Standing Rock Sioux encampment protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline ride out a blizzard with … Continued


The Obama Administration deals a historic blow to Israel at the United Nations Security Council. The U.S. abstains on a resolution condemning Israel instead of exercising a veto as usual. The action comes despite fierce lobbying by Israel and interference by President-Elect Donald Trump. California releases a massive environmental impact report supporting Governor Jerry Brown’s … Continued


The Obama Administration announces it’s dismantling an inactive registry largely for people from Moslem countries. The action comes less than a month before Donald Trump takes office and means he would have to start from scratch if he wants to implement a registry of his own. Donald Trump uses twitter to call for expanded U.S. nuclear … Continued


North Carolina lawmakers stage a day of rancorous debate — and then fail to repeal the anti-LGBTQ bathroom  law HB2.  German police commandos raid two apartments in Berlin as they press their search for a Tunisian man suspected of carrying out Monday’s deadly truck attack on a Christmas market. More than ten thousand people sign a … Continued