What to make of Putin’s call for the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine to postpone their referendum? Nothing, except perhaps that it represents a shift in tactics.

C-sections are both more expensive and riskier than natural births, yet doctors perform them far more often than necessary. The fee-for-service model is to blame.

Six links for your Thursday.

After an initially timid U.S.-EU response to the Ukraine crisis, tougher sanctions against Russia and better coordination are making an impact. More, please.

For a long time now, the West has lived off its Cold War reputation in Eastern Europe. But this reputation is now spent, thanks to Western complicity in offshore finance’s pillage of post-Soviet states.

Syrian rebels have been defeated in the city of Homs, a stronghold they’ve held on to for three years. As they depart the city under a brokered government ceasefire, some are wondering whether this marks the beginning of the end for the revolution.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has booted the prime minister from office, deciding an important battle in favor of Thailand’s opposition. But the war is far from over.

If you really want to save the planet, you’d get rid of your resource-devouring pets. At least, that’s what the latest bit of green advice suggests.

The China-Vietnam skirmish in South China Sea illustrates how easy these territorial disputes can escalate to conflict. It also shows how aggressive China can be in achieving its territorial ambitions.

The AFL-CIO is blocking a tax hike pushed by the state teachers’ union. Two big Democratic constituencies are turning on each other.