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Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are on the rise again following two border clashes in the space of a week. The trouble was apparently sparked by Pakistan's decision to erect a new border gate despite Afghan objections.

A few months ago, the Republican National Committee released several recommendations for broadening the party's voter appeal. The report told the GOP to reach out to women, younger voters and Hispanics. But so far, that has not been the direction party leaders have taken in Congress or in the media.

U.S. and EU officials begin talks Monday on a free-trade deal that could create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in new trade. But there are deep-seated differences that may make it difficult to reach an accord. Among the most contentious: agriculture and whether genetically modified crops grown in the U.S. will be accepted in Europe.

Rates on federally subsidized Stafford loans, which help low and middle-income college students, doubled on July 1. There is now pressure for a deal to undo the increase. NPR's David Greene talks to Matthew Chingos, a fellow at the Brookings Institution's Brown Center on Education Policy.

Casino gambling is back to pre-recession levels in the U.S., according to a new report from the gaming industry. One in three Americans went to a casino last year, and those who opened their wallets wagered a total of $37 billion, about 5 percent more than the previous year.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, says the Senate's immigration overhaul will cost the country more than $6 trillion over 50 years. A similar report six years ago helped sink that attempt at changing immigration. Critics argue that both reports are fundamentally flawed, and fail to account for the economic benefits of restructuring the immigration system.

President Obama made a statement on Thursday condemning the violence in Egypt and suspending joint exercises with that country's military that had been planned. The president stopped short of cutting off aid to Egypt or its military, but said he would convene a working group at the White House to consider sterner steps in the wake of this week's street violence.

Syrian rebel groups say the pipeline of weapons, ammunition and nonlethal aid pledged by the U.S. has slowed in recent weeks, as the Obama administration has shifted focus to destroying President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons. The rebels have a broader goal: destroying the Assad regime.

Jackson's newest release, The Bluegrass Album, is exactly what its title promises: a collection of bluegrass covers, as well as some originals written in the style.

The official report says the Blue Jays were "surprisingly winning" at the time of the incident. The fan's transgression "can only be described as an attempt to inject some kind of spark" into the Blue Jays, and relieve fans from their "season long agony."

Officials at the Chessington World of Adventure noticed the animals getting really confused when they saw visitors in furs or leopard-print shirts.There will be bouncers enforcing the code, giving offending visitors bland gray jumpsuits to wear.

School resumes on Friday in Moore, Okla., the site of May's deadly tornado. The twister killed 24 people and destroyed huge parts of the city including an elementary school filled with students.

The strategist behind the 1963 march will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year. As a gay man, his position in the movement was questioned. But now he is considered "an amazing role model" for activists of color who are also gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Verizon has taken the first step to replace copper lines with a home cellular connection in coastal areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. But many customers don't like the new phone connection, saying the new technology is inferior to traditional landlines.

Somalia now has the dubious distinction of having the worst polio outbreak in the world. The country had been polio-free since 2007. If this outbreak gains a foothold, health workers fear it could spread into the Middle East.

President Obama returns to Illinois this week and to the city of Galesburg, site of a pivotal speech he made early in his first presidential campaign. His speech Wednesday will be a set of proposals for strengthening the economy.

Fifteen top posts at the Department of Homeland Security, including retiring Secretary Janet Napolitano's position, are now vacant or soon will be. Many are being filled on a temporary basis, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle want the Obama administration to get busy filling those jobs, too.

The titan arum blooms again, this time at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. Eager flower-watchers lined up to experience the plant's distinctive rotting-corpse-like odor.

The British prime minister says a plan to outlaw "violent" porn and block certain search terms is designed to protect children. Will a crackdown result in less child abuse?

Comcast ousted Jeff Shell, the head of NBCUniversal after corroborating Hadley Gamble's allegations of inappropriate conduct including sexual harassment.

Some of the worst-paid farmers in Ethiopia were able to get their bean to the specialty coffee ball and sell to top U.S. roasters like Stumptown. But it only happened after the growers got organized and attracted the attention of coffee prospectors from the U.S.

Former President Mohamed Morsi has been incommunicado since he was ousted by the military almost three weeks ago. On Monday his son said the family plans to sue the military chief for kidnapping.

Major League Baseball announced Monday it is suspending Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun for the rest of the season for violating doping policy. Robert Siegel talks with NPR's Tom Goldman about the move.

The recovery operation will be a long thorough process at the Nairobi shopping mall that was attacked over the weekend. More information is emerging about the number of people who were killed, injured or are still missing.

Oracle Team USA completed a remarkable comeback to win the America's Cup regatta, winning eight straight races. The American team, backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, beat Emirates Team New Zealand. Just a few days ago, the American team trailed the Kiwis, and were on the brink of being eliminated from the competition.