All Americas
First LookMexican tourism brings uneven development in Nayarit stateThe balance between economic growth and sustainability is being challenged in a resort town outside Puerto Vallarta. As social inequalities and environmental problems grow, residents are questioning the merits of unchecked tourism developments.聽
In Brazil, voters' far-right fears carry weight of history"Fascist," "authoritarian," "far-right" 鈥� words that are thrown around in US politics these days. But what does it feel like to discuss those terms in a country that actually has memories of a military dictatorship?
First LookIn Colombia, bringing young people together to solve gang violenceFaced with a high murder rate, officials in one Colombian city are working to discourage gang violence through a community-based approach.聽This is a step away from the typical punitive methods used to break up gangs.
In Choir!Choir!Choir!, song builds community 鈥� even if you can't carry a tuneStarted in 2011, Choir!Choir!Choir! is arguably the most accessible singing group around. It is part of a wave of community choirs that has gathered force across North America.
Hammocks in Honduras: from inside prison walls to city streetsPrisons here are known for overcrowding, violence, and lax oversight. But they're also home to the prisoner-run businesses that provide most of the country's hammocks.
First LookUnder Trump administration, number of Mexican immigrants dropThe number of Mexican-born immigrants in the US plunged between 2016 and 2017, according to new census figures. The decline is likely due to both growing US hostility towards immigrants and increased opportunity in Mexico.
As Canada legalizes cannabis, concerns mount over challenges, uncertaintiesLegalization of marijuana is only the first step of introducing it to society as a recreational substance. Many issues, like how it will be sold and what effect it will have on communities, remain.聽Part two of two.聽
As legal cannabis comes to Canada, communities welcome accompanying job boomAs Canada prepares for the nationwide legalization of marijuana in October, some towns are finding that the nascent pot industry is bringing jobs where they are sorely needed.
In trial for eco-activist's murder, push for a full picture of justiceHonduras's supreme court has indefinitely delayed the trial for the murder of Berta聽C谩ceres, a renowned environmental rights activist, after her family's lawyers filed a series of appeals.
FocusAmid trade fight, Canada returns to its roots in opposition to USAs President Trump threatens Ottawa amid renegotiations of NAFTA, it has rekindled a form of nationalism north of the border, which in multicultural and multilingual Canada more often takes the shape of anti-Americanism.
Why Guatemala is abandoning high-profile anti-corruption driveGuatemalans have been outspoken about battling fraud and corruption. But their voices have grown quieter, which may speak to an increasingly difficult political atmosphere in the country.
In museum's ashes, Brazilians see 'tragic metaphor' of country's crisesThe fire at Brazil鈥檚 National Museum would be a severe loss to science and art at any time. But today, many Brazilians look at the rubble and see a painful symbol of corruption and austerity.
First LookIn blow to Trudeau, court stops Canada pipeline projectThe Pacific pipeline would allow Canada to diversify oil markets and increase exports to Asia. But聽the court said the energy board's review was too flawed and that the federal government failed to engage in meaningful consultations with First Nations before approving it.
Endless summer? More Canadians embrace a getaway lifestyle.Many rural towns are dwindling, including tourist getaways that shrink at summer's end.聽In Ontario's Lakes region, costly city life and changing work patterns are spurring some to reimagine vacation cottages as all-year homes.
First LookHonduran minority bands together on reclaimed ancestral landsThe Garifuna, who are descended from African slaves and indigenous groups, are moving back to abandoned land after being pushed out by drug cartels and palm oil companies. The residents are developing several agriculture initiatives in order to be self-sufficient and preserve their culture.
Nicaraguan activists flee their country, but not the fightActivists leaving their countries to escape intimidation face a dilemma: Do they need to choose between their own safety and making a difference back home? Not necessarily, these Nicaraguans say.
Sara Miller Llana finds a new vantage point to view shifts in global thinkingIn an age of tariffs, tweets, and sanctions, where鈥檚 the best place to observe the shifting sands of geopolitics? For the Monitor鈥檚 Sara Miller Llana, it鈥檚 Canada. 鈥淧eople are telling me on both sides of the Atlantic 鈥榳e are in strange times,鈥� and Toronto is the perfect place from which to plumb that sentiment,鈥� Sara says.聽One in a series of monthly profiles of Monitor journalists.
First LookTrinidad and Tobago turns to culture to diversify economyTrinidad and Tobago is trying to tap into the country's vast cultural offerings, creating a year-round scene that could be a greater part of its economic ecosystem beyond the famed annual Carnival celebrations.聽
At Canadian end of Underground Railroad, issues not all black and whiteCanada has long been a haven for those in the US seeking to avoid authorities鈥櫬爎each. But Canada鈥檚 role as host is more complex 鈥� and sometimes less welcoming 鈥� than its reputation would have it.
First LookCuban farmers meet land ownership opportunity with a shrugThe government has voted in favor of the right to own private property but farmers don't expect big gains. The changes are part of a broader shift away from a Soviet-style economy as Cuba tries to woo foreign investment, boost growth, and cut dependence on costly food imports.聽聽
