The hotels Brazil needs for the World Cup didn’t get built

The Gávea Tourist hotel is vacant and disintegrating.

In host city Rio de Janeiro, three architecturally stunning — but vacant — ghost hotels sit and rot.

Monarch butterfly migration falls to record lows

Monarch butterfly migration falls to record lows

The butterflies’ winter habitat in Mexico has shrunk to less than 2 acres of forest, scientists say.

For some in Brazil, World Cup means evictions

The country is in a road-building frenzy, and its poorest residents are being pushed out of the way.

The American roots of a Mexican militia movement

The American roots of a Mexican militia movement

Many who have joined fight against Michoacan drug cartel once lived and worked in the U.S.

Adrift in Mexico’s deportation capital

Adrift in Mexico’s deportation capital

Mexicali has became the U.S. government’s biggest dumping ground for deportees who often have deep ties in America.

Injured leader of Mexican anti-cartel militia vows to go on

Injured leader of Mexican anti-cartel militia vows to go on

“We are willing to disarm ourselves when the authorities live up to their responsibilities,” he said.

Haiti remembers victims of 2010 earthquake

Haiti remembers victims of 2010 earthquake

The government declared a day of reflection to honor the tens of thousands who died.

Photos from around the region

The rotting rooms of Rio

The goal was for Brazil to have all the hotel rooms it needs for the World Cup games. But bureaucracy got in the way.

School shooting in N.M.

A seventh-grader opened fire at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell, critically wounding an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl.

In Mexico’s Michoacan state, spiraling violence

Forces move in, aiming to quell clashes between vigilantes and a drug cartel, but confidence in the government is shaky.

Former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear is slain

The soap-opera actress and pageant winner was shot and killed along with her ex-husband as they resisted a robbery.

Some of the world’s coldest places to live

These places don’t need a polar vortex to get frigid.

Setbacks for Brazil’s ethanol sector

The once-thriving industry is struggling, but some still see a long-term potential.

Nat Geo’s ‘Around the World in 125 Years’

A colossal three-volume collection showcases 125 years of images capturing a planet and its people.

Ice storm hits Toronto, Eastern Canada

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is calling the storm one of the worst in the city’s history.

Michelle Bachelet wins Chile presidential runoff

The Socialist wins 62 percent of the vote, making it the most decisive victory in eight decades of Chilean elections.

A Virginia community mourns slain Honduran

Claudia Membreno Gomez was scheduled to fly to the U.S. from Honduras the day after gunmen shot her in front of her four children.

Brazil’s oil boom turned bust

In 2007, discovery of undersea oil fields stirred visions of becoming a petroleum power, but it hasn’t turned out that way.

Mexico’s military reclaims port from cartel

Lazaro Cardenas is one of the busiest ports in Latin America. But has business slowed since troops pushed out the drug trade?

Slushy holiday travel along the East Coast

A winter storm arrives just in time to make Thanksgiving holiday travel more challenging.

Olive Ridley turtle-hatching season

A 20-year-old plan by the Mexican government to protect the sea turtles is paying off.

Pope Francis: Acts of humility

The new pope is changing the rules at the Vatican.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in the spotlight

The embattled leader of Canada’s largest city, who admitted that he has smoked crack, has been stripped of most powers.