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Wednesday

In Afghan Spring, Violence Rises — But So Do Recruiting Numbers

In Afghanistan, as the winter snows melt, Taliban violence heats up. This year, there will be even fewer foreign troops in Afghanistan to prop up Afghan forces, who suffered record casualties in 2013 as they took the lead for security. While U.S. officials feared that could hamper recruiting efforts for the Afghan Army, Afghan officials say they have a surplus of volunteers.

In Afghan Spring, Violence Rises — But So Do Recruiting Numbers

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Europe

Ukraine's Acting President: We've Lost Control Of East

Pro-Russian separatists have seized government buildings in another eastern Ukrainian city. After Luhansk fell, Ukraine's acting president said his troops were helpless in the face of the unrest. He said he now was working to keep the rest of eastern Ukraine under his government's control.

Ukraine's Acting President: We've Lost Control Of East

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Energy

Widening Sanctions On Russia Rattle Some In Western Oil Industry

The latest round of sanctions against Russia has created a lot of uncertainty for U.S. and European oil and gas companies. They're growing concerned that another round of sanctions could target Russia's energy sector, jeopardizing Western oil companies' activities there.

Widening Sanctions On Russia Rattle Some In Western Oil Industry

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A Quiet Election Day In Iraq, With Some Signs For Concern

For the first time since U.S. troops withdrew in 2011, Iraqis went to the polls to vote on their leaders. As Reuters reporter Ned Parker says, the day's events paint a grim future for Iraq's future.

A Quiet Election Day In Iraq, With Some Signs For Concern

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Beauty Shop

V. Stiviano 'Thunderously Unintelligent' In Sterling Scandal?

The NBA has banned L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life after tapes revealed racist comments he made to girlfriend V. Stiviano. The Beautyshop ladies weigh in.

V. Stiviano 'Thunderously Unintelligent' In Sterling Scandal?

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Thailand Calls New Elections Amid Fears Of Another Opposition Boycott

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attends a meeting with the Election Commission in Bangkok on Wednesday. The commission has recommended fresh elections to be held July 20. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Thailand Calls New Elections Amid Fears Of Another Opposition Boycott

It's not clear whether the opposition, whose boycott of February elections caused the vote to be invalidated, will participate in the new balloting, set for July.

Australia Rebuffs Possibility Of Flight 370 Wreckage In Bay Of Bengal

International air crews involved in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane gathered Tuesday on the tarmac at the Royal Australian Air Force Pierce Base in Bullsbrook, near Perth. Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Reuters/Landov

The Two-Way

Australia Rebuffs Possibility Of Flight 370 Wreckage In Bay Of Bengal

A marine exploration firm says it has found what may be debris from the missing plane in the Bay of Bengal. But the head of search efforts off Australia says his team is "looking in the right place."

Middle East

What Is Plan B For Mideast Peace Negotations?

A deadline U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry set to either end or extend the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks has expired. Kerry says the next step is a pause.

What Is Plan B For Mideast Peace Negotations?

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Amid Escalating Violence, Iraqis Head To Ballot Boxes

Iraqis vote Wednesday in the country's first national election since U.S. forces withdrew in 2011. Steve Inskeep talks to Prashant Rao, Iraq bureau chief for Agence France Presse.

Amid Escalating Violence, Iraqis Head To Ballot Boxes

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Economy

Why Is A French Economist's 700-Page Book So Popular?

French economist Thomas Piketty's book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, has become a sensation. He's been all over the media, and he's lecturing to packed houses on his current U.S. tour.

Why Is A French Economist's 700-Page Book So Popular?

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Planet Money

Varying Auto Safety Standards Interfere With Trade Negotiations

The U.S. and Europe have different car safety standards. Some of them are small while others are more dramatic. All car makers agree that the different standards are a pain. So why the difference?

Varying Auto Safety Standards Interfere With Trade Negotiations

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An Afghan Village Of Drug Addicts, From Ages 10 To 60

A man walks past a fresh grave in the Kamar Kulagh slum outside of Herat. David P. Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David P. Gilkey/NPR

Parallels

An Afghan Village Of Drug Addicts, From Ages 10 To 60

Afghanistan is not just a world leader in producing drugs. It's also a leading consumer. Drug users addicted to heroin, and more recently crystal meth, are everywhere in the western city of Herat.

An Afghan Village Of Drug Addicts, From Ages 10 To 60

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