President Obama announced Thursday he was widening sanctions on Russian individuals to include private wealthy oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports the New York Times. Obama also left open the possibility of sanctions to Russian oil and natural gas – a move that Obama said could disrupt the global economy but may be necessary. Russia responded by levying personal sanctions against nine American officials – including Sens. John McCain and Harry Reid. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed to step up European sanctions on Russia. Finally, The Hill reports on Putin’s quiet aggression in Latin America. 

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