All Americas
First LookBrazilian descendants of slaves fight for land titlesDescendants of slaves in Brazil have recently had two major victories in a decades-long struggle to get legal titles to their land, without which they don't have access to social benefits. The poverty rate among slave descendants is 75 percent.
Cover StoryCan schools help rid the world of sexual harassers and abusers?From Iceland and Israel to Mexico and South Korea, schools around the world increasingly see rooting out sexism as their domain, before it takes hold and expresses itself in workplace abuse or domestic violence. Part 8 of Reaching for Equity: a global series on gender and power.
First LookIndigenous Peruvian villagers protect their land against illegal coca farmsAn increasing number of migrant farmers are using native lands in the Amazon to grow the illicit crop coca. Some indigenous communities plan to patrol their territory to keep out land traffickers.
First LookWomen journalists push for a voice in Latin American mediaThe nonprofit Chicas Poderosas (Powerful Girls) aims to create an atmosphere of possibility for women in newsrooms across Latin America as an essential way to 'change the conversation' and expand focus on such stories as femicide and poverty.
Costa Rica: Could drug-law reform for women open door to wider change?The reform known as 77-bis is narrow, applying only to women arrested for smuggling drugs into jail. But its emphasis on taking an offender's background into account during sentencing is revolutionary in a region that prioritizes hard-line punishments for drug crimes.
First LookTrudeau pitches Canadian innovation to Silicon valleyOn Thursday, Silicon Valley industry executives met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who emphasized his country's potential for business development. Mr. Trudeau also unveiled a new fast-track visa program for international skilled workers.
After decades of violence, can Colombia's FARC rebels gain voter trust?Thanks to a 2016 peace deal, the FARC are guaranteed a minimum of 10 seats in this year's congressional election. But can they convince the public their bloody past is behind them?
First LookPuerto Ricans take matters into their own hands to restore powerTired of months of ineffectiveness, volunteers and workers are working to fix downed power lines in attempts to restore electricity for the 400,000 people still in the dark still since hurricane Maria. So far, power has been restored to 2,000 homes.
First LookEx-FARC member to run for Colombian presidencyFormer guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londoño's campaign is a historic step in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia's transition into a political party following the 2016 peace accord.
First LookBrazil turns to bitcoin technology to curb corruptionBrazil will use blockchain – the technology behind the bitcoin currency – to curtail fraud. The move comes on the heels of a four-year, high-level corruption investigation, but experts warn that this attempt will not be a silver-bullet fix.
First LookIndigenous Costa Rican communities search for solutions to food security concernsIn response to climate change and lack of access to international climate change funds, indigenous leaders are creating their own funds to finance adaption projects that guarantee food security to Costa Rica's indigenous communities.
First LookMexico looks abroad for examples of peace processes to end drug violenceIn attempts to curb drug violence and rampant murder rates, Mexican politicians are seeking new paths to peace. Countries with violent histories, such as Colombia and South Africa, are being viewed as models to learn from.
First LookIn upcoming Mexican election, migrants living in the US could tip tight presidential raceNew rules allowing Mexican citizens to register to vote from abroad could reshape the country's electoral landscape.
First LookChilean protests, threats 'unprecedented' for papal visitPope Francis faced an unusually high level of hostility on his visit to Chile with protestors burning at least 11 churches and leaving threatening pamphlets directed at the pope.
First LookIndigenous Peruvians seek help from Pope Francis to regain access to Incan templeThe most sacred temple in the Incan Empire came under Catholic control in the 16th century. The groups are appealing to Pope Francis, seen by many as sympathetic to the plight of indigenous people, for increased access the temple's ruins in Cuzco, Peru.
As US tightens stance on migrants and refugees, is Mexico prepared to take more?Over the past year, some US politicians have talked up the idea of returning foreigners without legal documentation to the 'territory from which they came,' whether or not that's their home. Mexico could bear the brunt, but assessments of its asylum system vary.
First LookPope Francis asks for forgiveness for Chilean priestsPope Francis apologized during a visit to Chile for the sexual abuse committed by Chilean pastors. The pope's visit has met with protests and skepticism over the church's credibility.
In wake of Fujimori pardon, divided Peru debates meaning of reconciliationFormer President Fujimori received a Christmas Eve pardon on his 25-year sentence for human rights abuses. The government calls it the first step in reconciliation for a still deeply divided country. Protestors took to the streets this week, saying reconciliation looks different to them.
First LookIn Venezuelan crisis, gourmet chocolate creates a new hope for someIn a country stunted by recession and a Byzantine bureaucracy, small businesses suffer. Despite this, some Venezuelans have found a way to stay afloat: gourmet chocolate. The country's richness in cacao reserves has created a new economic lifeline for its people.
First LookSalvadorans express concern about what US deportees will face at homeSalvadorans are worried about the effect of 200,000 people being deported by the Trump administration including an end of a major flow of cash into El Salvador and the separation of families.
