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A Latvian four-man bobsled team competes in the World Cup on Feb. 17, 2013, at the Sanki Sliding Center near Sochi, Russia. The track, which actually ascends in three places to slow the speed of the athletes, is being used for Olympic bobsled, skeleton and luge next month.

After Tragedy At 2010 Games, Sochi Slows Down The Sled Track

The Winter Olympics bobsled, luge and skeleton track was designed with safety in mind, not just speed. It was constructed after an athlete died in a violent crash, and others complained of out-of-control speed, at the Olympics four years ago.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca at the Men's Central Jail in downtown LA in 2012. Baca, who has been under fire for jailhouse abuses, is facing calls to step down and not seek a fifth term.

Embattled LA Sheriff Still Plans To Give Fifth Term A Shot

Lee Baca, 71, is facing calls to step down and not seek another term. His department is at the center of a federal probe into widespread allegations of prisoner abuse.

Foreclosures increased dramatically as a result of risky subprime loans during the 2000s.

Is Government's Renewed Push On Mortgage Fraud Too Late?

Are federal prosecutors gearing up to file more big mortgage fraud cases? Bank of America was targeted recently, and JPMorgan Chase has disclosed that it is under investigation. Now that banks have returned to profitability, regulators may be more willing to take action. But time may be running out in some cases.

An Afghan laborer works in a firewood yard at a market in Herat on Dec. 11, 2011.

Afghanistan's Forests A Casualty Of Timber Smuggling

Over the past three decades, the U.N. says Afghanistan's forest cover has decreased by about 50 percent — to just about 2 percent of the country's land. The main reason is the illegal harvesting and trade of timber. A visit to Kunar province, near the Pakistan border, reveals that many people, from top officials down, are involved.

Syrian Rebels: New U.S. Aid Not Helpful Without Weapons

The top rebel commander in northern Syria was not impressed with Secretary of State John Kerry's announcement of new direct U.S. aid to the rebels and their political leaders.

President Obama's limo in what was, in part, the world's most impressive lunch run, Washington, May 16, 2012.

White House Sandwiches Followed By Snark, Disappointment, Warnings

The descriptions of the White House lunch meeting from those on the opposing red and blue teams made it sound like yet another meeting featuring the nation's top policymakers that you could have accurately scripted beforehand.

Rabbi Yaacov Israel Ifargan is known as the 'X-ray' rabbi for what his followers say is his ability to "see right through" a person. According to <em>Forbes</em> in Israel, he is worth about $23 million, which makes him the country's sixth-richest rabbi.

In Israel, Rabbis Rank Among The Rich And Famous

Forbes in Israel has published a first-of-its-kind ranking of the country's richest rabbis. The estimated wealth of the top-ranked rabbi? $335 million. Some self-styled Jewish mystics attract wealthy, high-profile followers who donate huge sums in exchange for blessings and advice.

Morgan Wallen's Music Continues To Succeed Despite Racial Slur Controversy

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Andrea Williams about why country singer Morgan Wallen's album still sits at the top of the Billboard 200 days after he was captured on video saying a racial slur.

Montana Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock To Run For Senate

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has announced a Senate run. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections about Democrats' chances of taking control of the upper chamber in November.

Seem Too Good To Be True? Once, A Pepsi Promotion With Big Promises Ended In Disaster

Have you ever dreamed of winning a promotion that seems too good to be true? From Planet Money, the podcast The Indicator has the story of a promotion that went terribly wrong for Pepsi.

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