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The article discusses the development of the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City. Owned by billionaire Carlos Slim Helú, the structure is 150-feet high, covered with shiny silver hexagons, and houses 66,000 pieces of art. These include Helú's own sculptures, "The Kiss," "The Thinker," and "The Shades." Also described is the architecture of the museum, which is handled by Helú's son-in-law, Architect Fernando Romero. Museum director Alfonso Miranda described Helú as an art collector.

The article discusses reaction to a deal aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program that is supported by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. Israeli officials including intelligence chief Yuval Steinitz have voiced their opposition to the agreement. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell was similarly critical. Saudi Arabian ambassador Adel al-Jubeir said his country needed to learn more about the proposed framework.

The article reports that on March 19, 2015 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for a Palestinian state. Days before during a difficult re-election campaign Netanyahu had said there would be no Palestinian state while he was Prime Minister. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which said it would reconsider its policy of supporting Israel at the United Nations in light of Netanyahu's original declaration, expressed skepticism over the reversal.

The article discusses Israel's March 17, 2015 parliamentary elections. Although exit polls showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and Isaac Herzog's Zionist Union party to be in a near tie, Netanyahu declared victory. Whether Netanyahu retains his job could depend on Likud's success in forming a coalition that includes a party led by former Likud member Moshe Kahlon. Political scientist Gadi Wolfsfeld said the new government could be a very conservative one.

The article discusses campaigning by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Isaac Herzog of the Labor Party one day prior to Israel's parliamentary elections. Netanyahu reversed an earlier stance and said he would never countenance a Palestinian state while in office. Herzog annulled an earlier agreement with Tzipi Livni of the Hatnuah Party to divide the prime minster's tenure between themselves should their electoral coalition prove victorious.

The article discusses political campaigning by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leading up to Israel's March 17, 2015 elections. He said he was in danger of losing his job, and urged voters to help his Likud Party overcome a strong challenge for parliamentary seats from the Zionist Union coalition. He also accused foreign conspirators of helping his political rivals.

The article reports that five people including four rabbis and a policeman were killed when two Palestinians wielding guns and knives attacked a synagogue in Jerusalem. Police killed both assailants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Hamas militant group for the crime and vowed stern repercussions. Among the victims was well-known rabbi Moshe Twersky. INSET: Conflict in Holy Land.

The article discusses the Al Qassam Brigade (AQB), the armed wing of the Hamas militant group that is fighting Israeli troops in Gaza in the summer of 2014. AQB has improved its fighting capabilities since its last conflict with Israel in 2009. Members of AQB who die in battle are honored as martyrs by Hamas. Information is presented about two such individuals, Abdullah Al Masri and Ahmed Abu Thoraya.

The article discusses the effect of Israel and Egypt's cooperation in working against the Palestinian Sunni Islamic organization Hamas after Egypt's military coup in 2013 on the political violence in Gaza. Topics include details on the conflicts between Hamas and Israel, a history of Hamas' rule in Gaza, and mention of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's relations with Gaza. INSET: Hamas Under Pressure.

The article discusses recent developments as of August 4, 2014 in Israel's incursion into Gaza. Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed on a 72-hour cease fire. Israel said it has largely accomplished its mission in Gaza and withdrawn most of its military personnel. The U.S. condemned an Israeli air strike near a United Nations shelter that killed 10 Palestinians.

The article discusses developments as of August 3, 2014 in Israel's military incursion into Gaza, with particular consideration given to how the divided nature of the militant group Hamas' leadership is hindering progress toward a lasting cease-fire. Some believe directions from Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal, who is based in Qatar, are not being swiftly communicated to battlefield commanders in Gaza. Matters are further complicated by the presence in Gaza of several Islamist militias.

The article reports that on July 23, 2014 international diplomats including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry unveiled a proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza between Israeli forces and Hamas militants. Following a cessation of hostilities, talks would begin on addressing Gaza's economic problems. Hamas political figure Khaled Meshaal has demanded that trade routes into Gaza be reopened.

The article discusses developments on July 20, 2014 in Israel's invasion of Gaza aimed at Hamas militants there. Fighting claimed the lives of 13 Israeli soldiers and 96 Palestinians. Israeli forces worked to destroy tunnels used by Hamas to infiltrate Israel. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry planned to arrive in Cairo, Egypt the following day to try to craft a cease-fire.

The article discusses developments on July 18, 2014 in Israel's invasion of Gaza. The death toll among Palestinians in Gaza rose to nearly 300 as Israel complemented its ground invasion with air bombardment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ground operation could be greatly expanded. An unidentified Israeli military official said the army was expecting tough resistance from Hamas militants it is seeking to rout.

The article reports that on July 17, 2014 Israeli ground forces launched an invasion of Gaza aimed at striking Hamas militants who have been firing rockets into Israel, and in particular destroying tunnels from Gaza to Israel that Hamas has built. Several days of aerial bombardment preceded the incursion, which Israeli army spokesperson Libby Weiss said involved thousands of troops.

The article discusses developments on July 15, 2014 in Israel's conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza. Israel readied for an offensive into northern Gaza and warned thousands of residents there to leave. A rocket fired by militants into Israel killed an Israeli citizen, the first to die in the conflict. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi prepared to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to arrange a truce.

The article discusses U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. On April 1, 2014 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry canceled a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Abbas formally applied to join several organizations connected with the United Nations. The U.S. reportedly was considering the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard as a means of prompting Israel to fulfill a prior agreement to release certain prisoners.

The article discusses the July 15, 2013 arrest by Mexican naval forces of Miguel Ángel Treviño, head of the Zetas drug gang. Details are presented about Treviño's reputation for ferocious brutality, the history of the Zetas, and the view of some that Treviño's apprehension will do little to inhibit that gang's operations.

The article discusses the pedestrian-friendly exploits in the streets of Mexico City, Mexico of a caped and masked individual known as Peatónito. In his ordinary life Peatónito is college student Jorge Cañez. Dressed as Peatónito, though, Cañez helps people cross busy streets by halting traffic, spray-paints crosswalks where needed, and performs other feats.

The article discusses regulatory challenges to billionaire Carlos Slim's telecommunications giant América Móvil SAB. Politicians in Mexico are set to pass a law that would potentially create more competition in that country's telecommunications market and allow regulators to impose asset sales on firms with dominant market positions. In Colombia regulators have barred América Móvil from a spectrum auction due to its dominance in that market.

The article discusses the Cuban history and artifact collection of Cuban exile Emilio Cueto, who expanded his apartment in the 1990s to store items such as shells from endangered snails, lithographs by artist Pierre Toussaint Fréderic, and newspapers. Cueto's immigration to the U.S. under the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA's) Operation Peter Pan is mentioned, as well as his interest in Cuban art and literature.

The article discusses new telecommunications laws proposed on March 11, 2013 by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto that would create a new government regulator equipped with the power to compel asset sales by companies with a dominant market position. In Mexico telephone company América Móvil SAB and television broadcaster Grupo Televisa SAB both hold over 70% of their respective markets.

The article discusses vigilante justice in Mexico. In some villages masked residents have taken up arms against the drug gangs they hold responsible for elevated levels of crime in their communities. Special attention is paid to the town of Ayutla, where suspected gang members apprehended by vigilantes are imprisoned and put on trial before local tribunals.

A photographic image is presented of Cuban Ivan Lee and a relative before Lee traveled from Havana, Cuba to Miami, Florida under a new Cuban law that ended requirements for exit-visas for Cubans attempting to travel abroad.

The article discusses the emergence of Mexico as the world's fourth largest exporter of automobiles. Nissan Motor Co., General Motors Co., and Mazda Motor Corp. are among car makers that have announced plans to expand production in Mexico. Factors contributing to Mexico's appeal are a shift in consumer preferences toward fuel-efficient vehicles, and Mexico's embrace of free-trade policies.

The article discusses a surge in gold-mining activity in Mexico. With gold prices having surpassed $1,500 per ounce, mines that were previously considered too sparse have become economically feasible. In addition, discoveries of new gold deposits have encouraged increased investment in Mexico by mining companies such as Goldcorp Inc. and Newstrike Capital Inc.

The article discusses dissenting views between Cuban Catholic clerics Jaime Ortega and José Conrado Rodríguez on reform in Cuba and the Church's role in it. Ortega, who is a cardinal and the leading Catholic authority in Cuba, is moderate in his criticisms of the Cuban government. Rodríguez, a priest in the city of Santiago, is much more outspoken and believes the Church has a moral duty to voice opposition to Communism.

The article discusses Guatemalan presidential candidate Otto Pérez Molina. He is a former military officer campaigning on a pledge to aggressively fight drug gangs. Some consider him controversial, though, due to his actions during Guatemala's civil war of 1960-1996, which may have included torturing detainees.

The article considers the aerospace industry in Mexico. A facility for the construction of the Learjet 85 model business jet plane in Querétaro, Mexico operated by the company Bombardier Inc. is discussed as an example of the growth of the aerospace industry in Mexico, primarily due to foreign investments by large international aerospace firms.

The article reports that drug-related violence in Mexico is discouraging visits from U.S. tourists. Resort operator Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. says business at its Mexican resorts has declined sharply. The Travel Impressions tour-operating arm of financial-services firm American Express Co. says bookings from independent travelers for Mexican destinations has fallen around 15%.

The article reports that increasing numbers of companies have become reluctant to make investments in Mexico as a result of violence between drug gangs there. Appliance maker Electrolux AB announced it would locate a new factory in Tennessee rather than Mexico. Spokeswoman Stephanie Johnston of glassware maker Owens-Illinois Inc. said the violence has made her firm cautious about entering the Mexican market.

The article discusses Cuban leader Fidel Castro's enthusiastic concern over the dangers of nuclear weapons. People who have spoken to Castro say he fears nuclear weapons could destroy the planet, and soon. Castro has invited various international experts on nuclear weapons to discuss the issue with him including Alan Robock, a U.S. authority on the theory of "nuclear winter."

The article discusses drug violence in Northern Mexico, particularly in Ciudad Mier in Tamaulipas state. A war between rival cartels the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel has caused residents to flee and civil order to break down. Some say a failure by the Tamaulipas government to confront the cartel earlier has led to the current state of affairs.

The article discusses escalating drug violence in Monterrey, Mexico. Incidents have included grenade assaults on businesses, the imposition of roadblocks by drug gangs, and the murder of Edelmiro Cavazos, the mayor of a suburb of Monterrey. In August, 2010 several business leaders pleaded for the Mexican government to send more soldiers to Monterrey.

The article discusses challenges facing Mexican airline Mexicana de Aviación. Creditors have succeeded in getting three of the airline's planes grounded. Airline employees have asked Mexican President Felipe Calderón to intervene in management's efforts to reduce salaries and impose layoffs. The airline, which has losses in excess of $350 million since 2007, filed for bankruptcy on August 2, 2010.

The article reports that Rodolfo Torre, a gubernatorial candidate in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, was killed along with several others when gunmen ambushed their convoy on a highway. Mexican President Felipe Calderón said the killings represented an assault against the nation's society and institutions. Several theories emerged concerning who may have committed the crime, some involving drug gangs.

The article reports on the disappearance of Mexico's Diego Fernández de Cevallos, a lawyer and former presidential candidate. His car was discovered with bloody footprints nearby and his apparent kidnapping may be linked to drug cartels, guerrilla groups or other criminals. It explains why his disappearance could have huge consequences for the country.

The article discusses the uncertain whereabouts of the remains of Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. A pawn shop in El Paso, Texas claims to have Villa's trigger finger on display. Somebody severed Villa's head from his corpse in 1926, and nobody can say for sure where the skull has gone. Mexico itself has two grave sites where Villa is supposedly buried, or at least most of him.

The article discusses a $225 million loan made by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. to Empresas Cablevision SAB. Morgan assigned most of the loan to a bank headed by the son of billionaire Carlos Slim, who owns Cablevision rival Telmex Internacional SAB, thus making it possible for the latter to obtain confidential information about Cablevision. U.S. Judge Jed Rakoff suggested the arrangement was a sham on Morgan's part.

The article discusses the incidence of political revolutions in Mexico in years that end in "10." In 1810 Miguel Hidalgo stirred up trouble that launched the Mexican War of Independence. The year 1910 marked the start of the Mexican Revolution. In 2010 newspapers and politicians in Mexico openly wonder if more upheaval is in store.

The article focuses on Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who lost a disputed election for President of Mexico in 2006. Lopez Obrador maintains a shadow government of cabinet officers he insists is Mexico's legitimate government, rather than that of actual President Felipe Calderon. LOpez Obrador has conducted an extensive speaking tour of the country in which he presents himself as President.

The article discusses "La Morenita," an 18th-century statuette of the Virgin Mary kept in a church in Suyapa, Honduras. Over the years Hondurans have credited prayers to La Morenita with delivery from a variety of travails including kidney stones and war. Some now hope prayer can help resolve a standoff between ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the ruling government.

The article focuses on declines in sales for most U.S. retailers in June of 2009. It suggests that wet weather may have discouraged shoppers in June and as a result chain store retailers have large inventories that have not sold while the back-to-school shopping period approaches. It mentions that consumers are going to multiple stores to find the best deals before making purchases.

The article discusses efforts in Indio, California to prevent vacant, foreclosed homes from falling into disrepair. A law passed by local officials holds the owners of such properties responsible for maintaining them. Police chief Brad Ramos has threatened to arrest the presidents of banks that own foreclosed homes but don't take care of them.

The article discusses oil drilling in Whittier, California. In 1993 the city obtained an oil field from Chevron Corp. Amid an economic recession and straitened public finances, city officials are investigating the possibility of opening the field once more. Mayor pro tem Greg Nordbak believes oil revenues could be a financial boon to Whittier.

The article reports that toy makers are abandoning expensive offerings in favor of more affordable ones. By one estimate U.S. toy sales fell 5% during the 2008 holiday season, contrary to industry assumptions that sales would hold up well during a recession. Hasbro Inc. has discontinued a $300 robotic dinosaur.

The article reports that some retailers are shutting down or closely evaluating "concept" stores they created to target specific slices of the teenage apparel business. Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. has discontinued two such stores, while American Eagle Outfitters Inc. chief executive Jim O'Donnell noted he may have to make a decision about his firm's struggling Martin + Osa outlets later in 2009.

The article reports that toy industry companies are introducing dolls and other toys that had previously been retired as products by their original manufacturers. Toy companies have been battling declining sales due to the recession and children's interest in household electronics. A doll marketed by Zizzle LLC which was produced by Mattel Inc. in the 1980s is presented as an example of the trend.

The article discusses efforts by American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO) to reduce the cost of the goods it sells. AEO will resort to such means as less frequent use of air delivery, less elaborately-tailored goods, and greater use of manufacturing facilities in India. However, analyst Kimberly Greenberger notes that low-cost venues such as India sometimes suffer from problems with quality control.

The article discusses efforts by Mattel Inc. to overhaul its Barbie franchise of children's dolls. Barbie dolls have been sold since 1959, but sales have faltered in recent years. Changes planned by Mattel include marketing Barbie products with a single logo and redesigning the dolls. Executive Richard Dickson is in charge of the Barbie brand.