Renee Montagne http://wqcs.org en Select Young Afghans Chosen As Commandoes In Training http://wqcs.org/post/select-young-afghans-chosen-commandoes-training From the Afghan capital Kabul, Morning Edition's Renee Montagne talks to Gen, Joseph Dunford, the commander of all U.S. and international forces there. They discuss the challenges of the current situation on the ground, and look ahead to the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 27687 at http://wqcs.org Younger Generation Poised To Lead Afghanistan's Future http://wqcs.org/post/younger-generation-poised-lead-afghanistans-future Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne, in Kabul, Afghanistan.<p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>And I'm Steve Inskeep, in Washington, with David Greene.<p>Renee's been in Afghanistan as the United States prepares to substantially draw down its presence in that country, which puts the focus on the Afghans who will try to run the country next. Tue, 14 May 2013 08:49:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 27498 at http://wqcs.org Cyprus Proposes Exempting Smaller Deposits From Tax http://wqcs.org/post/cyprus-proposes-exempting-smaller-deposits-tax The government of Cyprus is trying to ease fears over a proposed tax on bank deposits. Newly proposed legislation would exempt savers with smaller accounts. It's part of a bailout plan for that Mediterranean country, negotiated with the E.U. and IMF over the weekend. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:38:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24939 at http://wqcs.org E.U. Bailout Tax Causes Bank Run In Cyprus http://wqcs.org/post/eu-bailout-tax-causes-bank-run-cyprus Citizens of Cyprus did not react well to the news that their government wants to allow the European Union to take nearly 10 percent of their savings deposits in exchange for a $13 billion bailout. Banks are closed through Tuesday after worries over bank runs. Depositors stood in long lines to withdraw money over the weekend. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:06:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24865 at http://wqcs.org Venezuelans Mourns Late President Hugo Chavez http://wqcs.org/post/venezuelans-mourns-late-president-hugo-chavez Transcript <p>STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>And I'm Renee Montagne.<p>Venezuela is in a state of mourning for its late president, Hugo Chavez. The outsized leader died yesterday in the capital, Caracas, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 58. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:08:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24319 at http://wqcs.org What Will Chavez's Death Mean For Cuba? http://wqcs.org/post/what-will-chavezs-death-mean-cuba Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>The death of Hugo Chavez could mean as much for Cuba as it will for Venezuela. As we just heard, Chavez looked to Fidel Castro for inspiration, and Castro has supplied Venezuela with thousands of Cuban doctors, health workers and security specialists. In return, Chavez sent a massive amount of Venezuelan oil to Cuba at cut-rate prices, and thus helped keep the Cuban economy afloat during years of crisis.<p>Joining us now is NPR's Tom Gjelten. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:45:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24317 at http://wqcs.org Ethnic Violence Haunts Kenya's Presidential Election http://wqcs.org/post/ethnic-violence-haunts-kenyas-presidential-election Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>Kenya votes for a new president today for the first time in five years. It's an important election, in part because the country is still haunted by the ethnic violence that bloodied the last presidential election in 2007. More than 1,200 people were killed and the violence only ended after the international community stepped in. NPR's Gregory Warner is out visiting polling stations and talking to people in Nairobi. He joins us to talk about the election. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:01:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24201 at http://wqcs.org Benedict XVI Leaves The Vatican, Headed To Retirement http://wqcs.org/post/benedict-xvi-leaves-vatican-headed-retirement Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>We're hearing this morning that Pope Benedict has left the Vatican. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli is covering the first papal retirement in 600 years, and she joins us now from Rome. And Sylvia, describe the scene for us there.<p>SYLVIA POGGIOLI, BYLINE: Well, it was a very emotional scene as Benedict first left all his close aides and employees and officials at the Vatican and then he went to the helicopter pad and has taken off. And I can't help but say this, but we see him now on pictures of Vatican TV flying into the sunset. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:04:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 24047 at http://wqcs.org Pope Benedict XVI To Resign Feb. 28 http://wqcs.org/post/pope-benedict-xvi-resign-feb-28 Pope Benedict announced Monday morning he is retiring at the end of the month. He will be the first pontiff to step aside in six centuries. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 23207 at http://wqcs.org Politics In the News http://wqcs.org/post/politics-news-24 Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.<p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>And I'm Renee Montagne.<p>President Obama is taking his campaign against gun violence to the country, beginning today with a trip to Minneapolis and a visit to that city's police department. Many police organizations favor tougher gun laws. The president leaves behind a new Congress that's getting down to business. And consuming most of lawmakers' time: the budget and the deficit.<p>Joining us, as she does most Mondays, is Cokie Roberts. Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:38:00 +0000 Renee Montagne 22896 at http://wqcs.org