Americas
5 trapped in U.S.-Mexico border tunnel filled with sewage
Five people were trapped in a tunnel near the U.S.-Mexico border and had to be rescued early Wednesday.
Man falls into Maui blow hole, disappears
Witnesses who watched a Northern California man get sucked into a Maui blow hole to his apparent death say that the tourist was dancing around and frolicking in the sprays of water moments before a wave knocked him down.
Cuba's gay pride parade: big debut, few marchers
There were just a handful, but the dozen Cubans who took part in the country's first Gay Pride rally Tuesday celebrated one more step on the country's road to gay rights recognition.
Woman dies after being swept over Niagara Falls
Authorities say they've recovered the body of a woman who appeared to be swimming in the Niagara River before being swept over the brink of Niagara Falls.
Mexico teacher sings to schoolchildren during shoot-out
A nursery school teacher in Mexico has been hailed a hero after a video showed her calmly instructing her pupils to duck and cover and sing songs as a fierce gun battle raged outside their school.
Tired of violence, Mexicans ready for mass protests
The murder of a well-known author's son in Mexico's out-of-control drug war has become a key catalyst for organizing nationwide protests set for Wednesday against crime and violence.
Carnival group hit by fire cheered in Rio parade
Strutting in a rainbow of glittering colors, Rio's samba groups opened two days of Carnival parades with a dazzling show that included a rousing welcome for one of the elite bands that lost most of their elaborate costumes and floats in a fire las...
Brazil power cable accident during parade kills 17
At least 17 people have died in a small Brazilian town after a live power cable broke and fell into a crowd of people enjoying a pre-Carnival street party.
Brazil looks at adding 'happiness' to constitution
In a nation known for its jubilant spirit, massive parties and seemingly intrinsic ability to celebrate anything under the sun, is a constitutional amendment really required to protect the pursuit of happiness?
Brazil flood death toll rises to 443, more feared
Rescue workers dug desperately for survivors on Thursday and struggled to reach areas cut off by floods and landslides that have killed at least 443 people in one of Brazil's deadliest natural disasters in decades.
Protests Over Gay-Only Toilets At Brazilian Samba Schools
As Brazil geared up for its annual carnival festivities, a dispute broke out over toilets for the exclusive use of gays and transvestites in samba schools readying for the event.
Chavez calls burning of government building terrorism
Venezuelan authorities have evidence of arson in a fire that badly damaged a government building used by officials carrying out farm seizures, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday, calling it an act of terrorism.
In squalid Haiti camps, rape stalks women: Amnesty
An Amnesty report laid bare horrific accounts of rape in Haiti's squalid refugee camps a year after a devastating quake left many struggling to rebuild their shattered lives.
Haiti could devolve into civil war, says ex-leader
The crisis gripping cholera-ridden Haiti in the wake of disputed elections and a debilitating earthquake could devolve into civil war, the nation's former interim leader said.
40 people lynched amid Haiti cholera fears: officials
Angry Haitian mobs have lynched at least 40 people in recent weeks, accusing them of spreading a cholera outbreak that has killed over 2,500 people across the country, officials said Wednesday.
Venezuelan president opens palace to homeless
Venezuelan socialist leader Hugo Chavez has invited 25 families made homeless by recent torrential rains to stay temporarily at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
Haiti cholera toll passes 1,000 as unrest fears grow
Haiti's cholera death toll passed 1,000 on Tuesday as mounting anger at the health crisis saw tensions spike with UN peacekeepers accused by some of being the source of the outbreak.
Iran, Venezuela plan to build rival to Panama Canal
The recent border dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua is a sign of an ambitious plan by Venezuela, Iran and Nicaragua to create a "Nicaragua Canal" linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that would rival the existing Panama Canal.
Electrical fire forces emergency landing of 787 test plane
A serious in-flight fire in the electrical equipment bay of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight test plane forced an emergency landing Tuesday in Laredo, Texas. All 30 to 40 people aboard were safely evacuated on slides.
They're all out: 33 miners raised safely in Chile
The longest underground nightmare in history ended safely — and faster than anyone expected. In a flawless operation that unfolded before a hopeful, transfixed world, 33 miners who were trapped for more than two months deep beneath the Chilean ear...