All Americas
First LookBlackouts aggravate political crisis in VenezuelaLong lines are forming at mountain springs and gas stations as Venezuela's political fallout drags on. This has fueled a blame game between supporters and opponents of Nichol谩s Maduro's government about who is responsible for the collapse of the power grid.
Two years after tragedy, can Guatemala rethink child protection?A 2017 fire at the聽Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunci贸n, on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital, killed 41 girls who had been locked in a room. Advocates are trying to strengthen the country's protections for minors, especially in institutions.
First LookSecond minister resigns over scandal rocking Trudeau's governmentCanada's Treasury Board president has resigned, citing loss of confidence in the government over its handling of a scandal related to former聽Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. One resignation is rare, but two reveals deeper divisions in the cabinet, observers say.
Go north, young grad. How Canada is winning over international students.Increasingly, students are looking at a country鈥檚 reputation as much as a college鈥檚 and asking, Where can I make a home? For many college students, Canada is being seen as the new land of opportunity.
First LookVenezuela's Guaid贸 plans to go home despite risk of arrestVenezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaid贸聽said that he will be coming home after visiting Brazil and Paraguay to lobby for international pressure on Nicol谩s Maduro's military-backed government, which had accused Mr. Guaid贸聽of leaving the country illegally.聽
鈥楽now moles鈥� on patrol: Volunteers prowl city鈥檚 winter walkwaysWalkability is increasingly valued, even as a changing climate gives Ottawa a thaw-freeze winter that encourages聽ice. A Council on Aging program is getting volunteers to pinpoint hazardous trouble spots.
A murky scandal threatens to mar Trudeau's 鈥� and Canada's 鈥� good namesYou may not know it from abroad, but Canada is聽riveted by a scandal that could erode Justin Trudeau鈥檚 standing on rule of law, and even gender and indigenous rights. Could Canada be like everywhere else?
Forget the Oscars: Why 鈥楻oma鈥� resonates with three Monitor families鈥淩oma,鈥澛爐he Academy Award-nominated film, has sparked conversation about underappreciated laborers. But for our Mexico correspondents, their shared experience includes love and gratitude for the nanny they all worked with.
For government supporters in Venezuela, it's all about the revolutionAs Venezuela's opposition tries to rally behind National Assembly leader聽Juan Guaid贸, who has declared himself interim president, one challenge is particularly difficult: how to appeal to Venezuelans who see President聽Nicol谩s Maduro's government as the steward of the revolution.
Bring on the ice and snow: Ottawa鈥檚 Winterlude celebrates a frozen northEven as Canadians may debate whether they embrace 鈥� or merely endure 鈥� the harshest season, the Winterlude festival is one large effort to turn a liability into an asset for fun.
First LookEmergency aid to Venezuela stalled over political gridlockVenezuela suffers from soaring levels of malnutrition, disease, and violence. Yet President Nicol谩s聽Maduro has refused all economic assistance, contending the aid is part of a coup concocted by the White House to topple him.
Toronto serial killer is behind bars, but a community still seeks peaceThe scars that a serial killer鈥檚 predations leave on a community are deep. But the murders committed by Bruce McArthur restored an old distrust between Toronto鈥檚 LGBTQ community and its police.
First LookBrazil plans overhaul of education to oust 'Marxist ideology'President Jair Bolsonaro has announced plans to聽revise textbooks and what鈥檚 taught in schools to promote an anti-leftist agenda. For the government, the ideological battle on education begins with the removal of socialist educator Paulo Freire's legacy in classrooms.
Can Canada lead on Latin America? Venezuela poses a test.Canada has typically not been seen as a leader in the Americas. But the Venezuela crisis is changing that, as Ottawa tries to lead a multilateral response instead of taking Washington鈥檚 guidance.
The ExplainerNicaragua鈥檚 expanding crackdownNine months ago, a harsh response to protesters first led to calls for President Daniel Ortega鈥檚 resignation. As the crisis continues, thousands have fled the country.
First Look US announces oil sanctions to pressure Venezuelan presidentUnited States officials have levied sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil company to disrupt the country's primary moneymaking activity and help oust President Maduro from power.
First LookMud slows search for Brazil dam collapse survivorsHundreds remain missing after a dam burst in Brumadinho, Brazil, killing at least 58 people. Vale, the mining company that owns the dam, is under harsh scrutiny for failing to issue an emergency alert.聽Activists decry the lack of environmental regulation in Brazil.
As new 鈥榗aravan鈥� enters Mexico, a different welcome awaitsWith migration, it can seem as if the story never changes: long lines of people, fleeing things they fear, trying to enter countries that don鈥檛 want them. But in Mexico, lessons from the past year are shaping a new response.
Task for Venezuela's new 'president': make it more than a titleFor years, people inside and outside Venezuela have debated how to halt its spiraling crises. Will a young politician declaring himself acting president prove the answer, or a high-stakes complication?
First LookWhy Central Americans fleeing violence keep seeking asylum in United StatesThe latest proposal President Trump and Senate Republicans made to fund the wall could make the already difficult task of winning asylum even harder.聽Their bill would require all asylum claims to be in "the national interest" to be granted.