Claire Lancaster

The World Intern

Claire Lancaster is an intern at The World.

A massive blaze leads Chile to reconsider its all-volunteer firefighting system

Chile's firefighters have proudly worked as unpaid volunteers since the 19th century. But this month's devastating fire in Valparaiso has led many to question whether the country should move to a paid force.

A massive blaze leads Chile to reconsider its all-volunteer firefighting system
A phone displaying a Twitter error message is show in front of the Turkish national flag.

A new player enters Turkey's social media space

A new player enters Turkey's social media space

Is seven your favorite number? We thought so. Here's what it says about you

Is seven your favorite number? We thought so. Here's what it says about you

Despite violence, Afghans are more determined than ever to vote in the upcoming presidential elections

Despite violence, Afghans are more determined than ever to vote in the upcoming presidential elections

Why do we depend on 1960s technology to locate missing planes?

Why do we depend on 1960s technology to locate missing planes?

Venezuela says its new grocery loyalty card will stop the toilet paper speculators

One of the drivers behind the Venezuelan street protests is a lack of basic consumer goods, from toilet paper to food. Now the government thinks it has a partial answer — a sort of supermarket loyalty card that it hopes will cut down on hoarding and speculation. But some critics say the idea is just creepy.

Venezuela says its new grocery loyalty card will stop the toilet paper speculators

Student activists emerge as leaders in Venezuela's ongoing protests

Students are playing an important role in Venezuela's anti-government protests. And despite 23 deaths linked to the protests, organizes are vowing to stick with peaceful methods.

Student activists emerge as leaders in Venezuela's ongoing protests

Mexico opens the gates to foreign investment in its state-controlled oil industry

On Friday, Mexico's Congress approved legislation that opens the state-controlled oil sector to foreign investment.

Mexico opens the gates to foreign investment in its state-controlled oil industry

Just try to imagine this man surviving three days in an air pocket inside a sunken boat

Harrison Okene, a chef for an oil company, survived for three days trapped in an air pocket at the bottom of the sea after his boat capsized off the coast of Nigeria. His rescuer didn't think anyone was still alive.

Just try to imagine this man surviving three days in an air pocket inside a sunken boat

Planning on heading to Cuba over the holidays? Good luck

Cuba's consulate services in the US are being shut down, right before the holiday season when people need paperwork to travel there. One expert thinks it is a ploy to get the US to lift its restrictions on travel to Cuba.

Planning on heading to Cuba over the holidays? Good luck

Cigarette butts beware: Vancouver is coming after you

The lowly cigarette butt may seem an awfully small target for a major environmental campaign. But in Vancouver, there are a lot of them. And the town's solution, if successful, may be heading to a city near you.

Cigarette butts beware: Vancouver is coming after you
Maj. Gen. Megan P. Tatu, commanding general of the 79th Sustainment Support Command (center left), walks alongside Loretta Sanchez, Congresswoman, California 46th Congressional District, in the Fullerton Veteran’s Day Parade, Fullerton, Calif., Nov. 11.

What Veterans Day means for a two-star Army Reserve major general

Major General Megan Tatu has spent more than 30 years in US Army active and reserve service. On Veterans Day, her thoughts turn to her colleagues in the military, and her grandfather.

What Veterans Day means for a two-star Army Reserve major general
William Potts

A case of homesickness leads an escaped hijacker back to the US

In 1984, William Potts dressed in Black Panther gear, hijacked a plane bound for Miami and forced it to land in Cuba. But 29 years later, he's decided to come home.

A case of homesickness leads an escaped hijacker back to the US
A model presents a creation from the Cola Cola 2013/2014 summer collection during Rio Fashion Week in Rio de Janeiro April 18, 2013.

Black is the new white at Rio's Fashion Week

Rio de Janeiro's Fashion Week has long been criticized for using almost exclusively white models in a country that is mostly non-white. But no more. A new agreement ensures at least 10 percent of models on Rio's runways will be non-white.

Black is the new white at Rio's Fashion Week

Some Baja Californians would rather secede than pay higher sales tax

Resident of Baja California are about to see their sales taxes go up — by almost 50 percent over the current rates. Residents are outraged and some are even agitating for secession.

Some Baja Californians would rather secede than pay higher sales tax