The world at a glance . . . Americas

Montreal

Restaurants firebombed: Canadian authorities are searching for clues in a rash of firebomb attacks against bars and cafes in Montreal. In the past month, nine establishments have been hit by Molotov cocktails. No one has been injured in the attacks, all of which took place after hours. Speculation about possible motives is rampant, including rumors that the Mafia is to blame and that warring drug dealers are behind the attacks. “People are at risk now, ” said Peter Sergakis of the Union of Quebec Bar Owners. “Somebody is going to get killed now with these fires.”

Havana

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Obama answers blogger: President Obama gave Cuban dissidents a boost last week when he personally communicated with Cuba’s most famous blogger. Yoani Sánchez posted Obama’s answers to her questions on her blog, Generación Y, which is popular despite being censored by Cuban authorities. Obama told Sánchez that he was open to normalizing relations with Cuba, citing his lifting of restrictions on family visits and remittances as proof of goodwill. But, he said, he was awaiting “action by the Cuban government.” He also praised the blogger for her bravery in practicing free speech in her repressive country. Both Sánchez and her husband, Reinaldo Escobar, have been assaulted by pro-Castro mobs in Havana in recent weeks.

Cancún, Mexico

Underwater museum: In an effort to divert snorkelers and scuba divers from its endangered coral reefs, Mexico is building the world’s largest underwater park near Cancún. Authorities are installing hundreds of human-size, concrete statues and sculptures on the seabed in an effort to attract algae and other marine life and create a beautiful setting for divers. “It all happens rather quickly—within two weeks, we will see green algae,” said British artist Jason de Caires Taylor, who heads the project. The park is scheduled to be opened in 2010.

Brasília, Brazil

A helping hand to Iran: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva endorsed Iran’s nuclear program while playing host to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Lula, who had previously been a key Obama ally in Latin America, postponed a planned visit last spring from the Holocaust-denying Iranian president after tens of thousands of Brazilians protested in the streets. This time, however, Lula disregarded similar protests as well as U.S. criticism of the visit. He said that the world should engage, not isolate, Iran, and he defended Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy “for peaceful uses, just as Brazil does.”