Topic: FIFA World Cup

Ivory Coast stampede survivors blame barricades for deaths (+video)

The nation's president has ordered three days of national mourning to commemorate the 61 people killed in Monday night's tragedy.

Troubling uptick in violence in São Paulo's slums

The violence marks a backward step for a Brazilian state that has succeeded in cutting its homicide rate by more than half in the past decade.

Will Brazil miss the goal with 2014 World Cup?

Brazilians are concerned that mismanagement of the World Cup and the Olympics Games will squander the country's chance to build needed infrastructure and improve government.

Latin America Monitor
Bad boys: Brazil slaps misbehaving soccer players with service, not just suspensions

In an attempt to make athletes better role models, Brazil has mandated that some offending players do community service and help kids in need.

Latin America Monitor
Rio: An island of relative safety in a sea of vulnerability?

Rio de Janeiro has made strides to improve public safety, leading the way for Brazil's other 26 states. But with upcoming mega-events, coordination between federal and state forces is still needed.

Wanted in Brazil: more English speakers

Brazil placed near the bottom of a 54-country ranking of English proficiency this week. But with floods of tourists expected to attend the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, more people are signing up for English classes.

Latin America Monitor
Rio's slums attract young, hip European immigrants looking for cheap housing

The number of foreigners living in Brazil jumped by more than 50 percent between 2010 and April 2012, in part due to Brazil's favorable economic conditions.

Cover Story
Reverse brain drain: Economic shifts lure migrants home

The tide of brain drain – from developing countries to industrialized nations – has turned. Human capital is returning home to Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, while some European professionals squeezed by the recession, turn toward developing countries for advancement.

Modern Parenthood
Next episode of Homeland? No, just a college recruiter chasing Noah

An Army general inviting my sleep-to-noon and video-game-playing son to a national leadership program sounded like something out of Homeland. But, no, it was just one more college recruiter chasing our Noah and our money.

Rio de Janeiro on building spree for Olympics, World Cup – but at what cost?

Brazil has lifted millions out of poverty in the past decade. But Rio's transformation in the lead-up to the Olympics and World Cup may be hurting those left behind.

Latin America Monitor
Rio's mayoral race: A new 'Al Gore' for Brazil?

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes swept yesterday's municipal election. But some say his opponent could play a watchdog role as Rio prepares for the World Cup and Olympics.

Can Mexico reclaim title as region's largest economy from Brazil?

Mexico was once Latin America’s darling, but in the past decade Brazil has far surpassed it as commodities drove economic growth. President-elect Peña Nieto is eager to reposition Mexico.

Solo: A Memoir of Hope

'Solo' – a no-holds-barred, tell-all autobiography – has already rocked some boats.

London 2012 closing ceremony ends a 'happy and glorious' Olympics

The London 2012 closing ceremony had some fun moments, but far more memorable was the show the hosts put on during the past 17 days, allowing everyone to feel a bit British. 

Latin America Monitor
London Olympics 2012: What are the lessons for next host, Brazil?

With the London Games wrapping up today, the spotlight moves to Rio, the host city of the 2016 Olympics.

Latin America Monitor
Gold medals, gold standards: Soccer brings role reversal for Mexico and Brazil

Mexico took its first gold medal today with its stunning win over Brazil in soccer, bringing a burst of joy to a struggling nation.

Mexico wins gold in soccer final against Brazil

Mexico won its first gold after a very early goal that Brazil was never able to overcome.

Latin America Monitor
Mexico takes on Brazil for Olympic soccer gold

If Mexico can defeat Brazil it will mean the country's first Olympic gold medal in soccer.

In US-Japan Olympic soccer final, a triumph for women's sport

The US beat Japan, 2-1, in the Olympic women's soccer final Thursday, avenging a loss to Japan in the World Cup final last year. But on this night, every medalist went away a winner. 

Olympics medal count: US women's soccer, Usain Bolt gather more gold Thursday

The US continues to lead the overall Olympic medal count, helped by efforts in women's water polo, decathlon, and women's boxing.

Olympics soccer: Is Alex Morgan the next Mia Hamm? Teammates gush.

Alex Morgan is the real deal, say coaches and teammates. She's a new breed of US women's soccer player and an integral part of the team's push for Olympic gold against Japan Thursday.

Spirit of London Olympics overcomes Falklands War saber-rattling

Britain and Argentina faced off on the hockey pitch for the second time at the Olympics Wednesday. Fans say the lingering acrimony over the Falklands War isn't an issue, despite rhetoric.  

Olympic moms: 13 mothers compete for Team USA

The “Celebrating Moms” series of commercials by Proctor & Gamble during Olympic coverage is a tear-jerking ode to sacrifices mothers make to support their kids’ athletic careers. But what about athletes who are mothers, themselves?

Elite athlete moms have the same run-of-the-mill work/life balance as the rest of us. But these 13 Olympic moms do put parenting – both its challenges and rewards – in a new perspective.

Global News Blog
Olympics 2012: Can German athletes learn something from all that US flag-waving?

Even though Americans may get a little carried away at the Olympics, Germans could express a bit more public patriotism. Think Robert Harting, who just won gold in the discus.

Best game ever? Alex Morgan heads US soccer to stunning win over Canada (+video)

The US women's soccer team beat Canada, 4-3, in the last minute of overtime in the Olympic semifinal, setting up a highly anticipated rematch with Japan. The game was one to remember.