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International Women's day: 3 challenges women face around the world

Issues such as violence, inequality at work, and traditional expectations confront women on every continent around the world. Here is a sampling of challenges women faced this year:

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Will Brazil-style protests spread throughout Latin America?

There are similarities between Brazil and other South American boom economies – like a growing middle class and higher expectations for public services.
Kidnapping in Colombia: The role of abductions in decades-long conflict

Colombia's first comprehensive review of kidnapping during turbulent decades of violence finds that nearly 40,000 people were kidnapped between 1970 and 2010.
Latin America Monitor Hundreds of thousands protest in Brazil: What's next?

Until now, complaining in Brazil has served as a common outlet for dealing with issues like high crime and corruption. Will protests morph into a larger movement? Spread to other countries?
The Monitor's View Obama helps nip pot legalization in Latin America. How about in US?

President Obama helped prevent a move toward pot legalization by some Latin American leaders. But will he be as bold against Colorado, Washington state?
No more drug war in Latin America? Report explores new ways to fight drugs

A new OAS report looks at alternatives to prohibiting the drug trade, including legal market regulation, reform of the UN drug convention, and smarter policing.
78,000 to live on Mars: Have you signed up?

78,000 people have applied to live on Mars. Up to 3,000 will make the first cut, and the 28-40 finalists will spend seven years training before 4 finally get selected for a one-way trip to live on Mars.
Could a weak Spanish doping verdict cost Madrid the Olympics?

Madrid is campaigning to host the 2020 Olympic Games, but that plan may be jeopardized by a court ruling that levied only minor sentences against a doping ring whose conduct outraged Spain.
Latin America Monitor Venezuelan tools of protest? Pots, pans, and smartphone apps.

The popular Latin American protest tactic of banging pots and pans took on a new form in post-election Venezuela. Some opposition members protested Maduro's victory by downloading a noisy app.
Immigration reform: When is family reunification also 'chain migration'?

Immigration reform legislation promises expedited reunification for millions of families awaiting visas, but critics caution that the overhaul could also produce uncontrolled 'chain migration.'
Can a blimp curb drug trafficking in Latin America? The US hopes so.

After sweeping US budget cuts, the Pentagon is testing new tools to stop drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean: a blimp tethered to the back of a boat and a hand-launched drone.
Backchannels As Indonesia gears up for election, fears of corruption soar

Indonesia has set itself up nicely for fair presidential elections next year, but corruption and party oligarchs threaten the its future.
Sandra Beltran, Mexican cartel 'queen,' pleads guilty in US

Sandra Beltran pleaded guilty Tuesday to being an accessory after the fact to an operation linking Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and Colombia's Norte Valle cartel.
South American leaders likely to back Venezuela's Maduro in emergency meeting

Despite complaints from some Venezuelans that Sunday's election had irregularities, analysts say leaders in the region will likely support Mr. Maduro’s election in order to maintain stability.
The Monitor's View Is an end to war-time rape at a tipping point?

The G8 nations agreed Thursday to a British plan to go after those who rape in war zones, hoping to end this atrocity as a weapon in conflicts. Perhaps this big-power move will mark a historic shift in ending a global problem.
Modern Parenthood Glenn Beck MSNBC promo: The pundit blows hot air through the village

Glenn Beck tore into MSNBC's promo featuring Melissa Harris-Perry saying how she felt the US public should pay more attention to public education. But even while US students lag behind their overseas peers, Mr. Beck took Ms. Harris-Perry's criticism of Americans as sacrilege.
Tens of thousands march for peace in Colombia after decades of conflict

Today's date marks what many view as the start of Colombia's conflict with the FARC, which has left an estimated 70,000 dead and nearly 50,000 disappeared.
Hasta luego, Mexico: The Monitor's Latin America bureau chief signs off

Our correspondent recalls the good, the bad, and the surprising from her nearly seven years covering the region.
Latin America Monitor Venezuela's interim President Maduro addresses a topic Chávez largely avoided – crime

Chávez increasingly engaged in citizen security initiatives starting in the mid-2000s. But he often skirted discussing crime, an issue that plagues Venezuela.
Amid attacks on law enforcement, prosecutors rattled but resolute

The national wave of attack on law enforcement officials amounts to an 'attack on the rule of law' that shows 'prosecutors really aren't lawyers, but warriors.' Many are taking extra precautions.
Chilly White North? Canadian government secrecy on the rise

Canada's information commissioner said she would investigate restrictions on state scientists speaking to the public about their work – just the latest criticism of the government's secrecy.
Colombia: Activist deaths and postponed peacetalks highlight struggle over land

Three advocates and leftist political organizers were killed across Colombia last month, as FARC and government negotiators announced an unscheduled recess in peace talks until late April.
Global Viewpoint Can Latin America resist a return to its populist past?

The interventionist role of the military has mostly disappeared in Latin America. But the temptation of populist politics is greater than ever in some countries, while others are resisting the short-term demands of voters in favor of the long-term sustainability of society. Here's a look at six countries.
Latin America Monitor Knowing neighbors through art: Rio houses new Latin American art museum

Rio de Janeiro’s Latin American contemporary art museum aims to spark dialogue among artists across the diverse region.
Chicken lays giant egg with another egg inside it (+video)

Chicken lays giant egg: A hen in a village in China's Guizhou Province has reportedly lain a nearly half-pound egg that had another egg inside it. How often does this happen?
More species of sharks, rays to get protection

Representatives of 178 member countries of the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora voted to put five more species of sharks and two species of manta rays under protection from overfishing.