The world at a glance . . . Americas

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Bishop arrested for child porn: A Catholic bishop credited with helping to heal the wounds of the church’s priest sex-abuse scandal has been charged with importing child pornography. Bishop Raymond Lahey, 69, was arrested at the airport in Ottawa after authorities reportedly found the porn in his possession. He has resigned as bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Just a few months ago, Lahey was widely praised for reaching a $15 million out-of-court settlement with victims of sexual abuse by priests in his diocese. At the time, he said he hoped “to never again have to deal with such reprehensible behavior.” After Lahey’s arrest, another priest said he had informed church authorities 20 years ago that Lahey possessed child pornography, but the matter was dropped.

Mexico City

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Speed bump breakthrough: Mexican engineers have developed a “smart” speed bump that appears only if you’re driving over the speed limit. Mexico has tens of thousands of speed bumps, and experts say they are bad for the environment—all that slowing down and speeding up increases emissions and contributes to pollution. A Mexican company recently introduced a “smart” bump that automatically collapses into the ground when approaching drivers are going the speed limit or slower. If they’re speeding, the bump stays up. Speed bumps are popular in Mexico because police officers—who are busy with drug-related murders and other mayhem—tend not to enforce traffic laws.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Protesters beaten: Honduran security forces have been brutally beating demonstrators who support ousted President Manuel Zelaya, human-rights groups say. One woman said she was attacked by a group of officers who kicked out her top teeth, broke her ribs, and cracked her skull. Another woman said she was waiting at a bus stop when the cops set upon her. “They do it in broad daylight, without any scruples, with nothing to stop them,” said Bertha Oliva of the Committee for Families of the Disappeared and Detainees in Honduras. Her group has received dozens of reports of police attacks since Zelaya was ousted in a June coup. The government that replaced Zelaya denies the allegations.

Santiago, Chile

Generals murdered colonel: Four top Chilean army officers have been convicted for the 1992 murder of a whistle-blowing colonel. Col. Gerardo Huber had testified about an illegal arms deal with Croatia, which was under international sanctions at the time because of the Balkan war. His admission implicated much of the top brass loyal to Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who was leading the army at the time, though his dictatorship had ended in 1990. Huber was discovered with his head blown off, and his death was ruled a suicide. But the case was reopened a few years ago, and this week two former generals, Victor Lizarraga and Carlos Krum, and two colonels were convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.