U.N. Building in Gaza Is Hit by Strike From Israel

Chávez Lets West Make Oil Bids as Prices Plunge

By SIMON ROMERO

The financial crisis is hurting Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s efforts to establish a Socialist-inspired state.

• Where Is Oil Going Next?
• Times Topics: Chavez | Venezuela

News Analysis

War on Hamas Saps Palestinian Leaders

By ISABEL KERSHNER

The Palestinian Authority’s top party, Fatah, seems increasingly marginalized, even in the cities it controls.

• Paper Cuts: Reading List for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Family and Lawyer Fear for Reporter Who Threw His Shoes at Bush

By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS 7 minutes ago

The journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, 29, who was immediately arrested after hurling his shoes at President Bush has not been allowed visitors since Dec. 21.

Gentle Questioning for U.N. Nominee

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

In a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Susan E. Rice said her one of her priorities would be improving the U.N.’s ability to undertake peacekeeping operations.

Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispute Enters 10th Day

By DAVID JOLLY

On the tenth day of the Russian-Ukrainian dispute, the two sides argued over the shipment of gas for Moldova, the Balkans and Slovakia.

• Times Topics: Gazprom

Pakistan Says 124 Arrested in Mumbai Investigation

By SALMAN MASOOD 1:48 PM ET

Announcing the arrests, Rehman Malik said Pakistan had formed a high-level committee to examine information on the attacks provided by India.

Would-Be Olympic Protester Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

By EDWARD WONG 8:38 PM ET

A legal advocate who was arrested after applying to hold a protest in Beijing during the Olympics in August has been sentenced to three years in prison, a lawyer said.

Release of Russian Who Killed Chechen Woman Stokes Tensions

By MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ 9 minutes ago

The former Russian tank commander, Yuri D. Budanov, had been stripped of his rank and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2003 fro the murder of a young Chechen woman.

3 Red Cross Workers Abducted in Philippines

By CARLOS H. CONDE 2:28 PM ET

Three workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross were abducted by men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines.

Senior Afghan General Dies in Helicopter Crash

By ABDUL WAHEED WAFA 12:01 PM ET

The senior commander who was killed, Gen. Fazel Ahmad Sayar, was head of the 207th Corps and one of four regional commanders in the Afghan Army, responsible for the western zone of the country.

New Heathrow Runway Is Approved

By SARAH LYALL 8:38 PM ET

The approval, in an especially heated session in parliament, came despite mounting opposition from residents, lawmakers and environmental campaigners.