World News

Chavez inspects the Air Force in Catilletes, near the border with Colombia, in March 2001.

World News

Venezuela's Chavez: An Outsized Personality, A Domineering Figure

6:20pm March 05, 2013

by Juan Forero

The populist president was an ally of dictators like Cuba's Fidel Castro and loudly opposed the United States. Chavez claimed capitalism was destroying the world and tried to transform Venezuela into a socialist state.

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Kerry: We're Trying To Offer Syrian President A Rational Choice

6:20pm March 05, 2013

by Michele Kelemen

Secretary of State John Kerry is wrapping up his first official overseas trip to Europe and the Middle East. He's shifted U.S. policy on Syria, offering direct assistance to the opposition coalition and non-lethal aid to fighters. He's also offered Egypt's Islamist government $190 million to avert a budget crisis and he's warning Iran that talks can't go on indefinitely.

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Rivalries And Infighting Could Follow In Wake Of Chavez's Death

6:20pm March 05, 2013

Audie Cornish talks to Tom Gjelten about what's next for Venezuela after President Hugo Chavez's death. He died Tuesday at the age of 58.

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U.S.: Diplomats Shouldn't Drink Before Budget Meeting

7:05am March 05, 2013

Joseph Torsella represents the United States on the United Nation's budget committee. He says it's a tough budget process, and it's complicated by diplomats who show up drunk.

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National People's Congress Opens, Prepares For Leadership Change

6:54am March 05, 2013

by Louisa Lim

On the opening day Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his version of the State of the Union address. He's due to step down next week. The annual legislative meeting marks the official transition to power of a new leadership team under Xi Jinping.

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Signs advertise the type of meat sold in each section of the Green Market in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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In Kazakhstan, No Horror At Horse Meat

6:24pm March 04, 2013

by Peter Kenyon

Horse meat may strike horror in Great Britain. But in Kazakhstan, horseflesh isn't just acceptable, it's a traditional treat. Visitors can eat spicy horse meat sausage and drink fermented mare's milk — the same fare that fueled Genghis Khan's marauding army as it swept across the steppe.

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Many homes that were rebuilt after the earthquake in 2010 are even more dangerous than the original ones. This three-story home was put up after the quake but is already slated for demolition to make way for an 18-unit housing project.

What Happened To The Aid Meant To Rebuild Haiti?

4:39pm March 04, 2013

by Jason Beaubien

Three years after an earthquake destroyed much of Haiti's capital, it's clear that only a fraction of the $9 billion pledged in international relief reached the country. Most of what did arrive went to short-term relief, instead of rebuilding people's homes.

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Ethnic Violence Haunts Kenya's Presidential Election

1:02pm March 04, 2013

In the East African nation of Kenya, voters are choosing the next president. Of greatest concern is whether these polls will provoke the same amount of deadly ethnic violence as the elections five years ago. More than 1,000 people were killed during voting in that election.

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With Syria In Shambles, The Uncertain Future Of Hezbollah

8:46am March 03, 2013

Syria is one of the most important backers of the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. If the Assad regime falls, Hezbollah will face an uncertain future. New Yorker staff writer Dexter Filkins discusses what shifts in Syria could mean for the future of the Middle East.

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Hezbollah Trial Offers Clues To How Militant Group Operates

8:46am March 03, 2013

Audie Cornish talks to Nicholas Kulish, a New York Times reporter, about the trial of Hezbollah member Hossam Yaakoub earlier this week in Cyprus and what it has revealed about the inner workings of the organization.

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