promoearn: They are sheroes, hear them roar

Thursday, March 8, 2018

They are sheroes, hear them roar

Women shout during a protest at the Sol square during

Day of the woman

Equality. Respect. Justice. In other words, the basics. That's what women around the world demanded Thursday on International Women's Day, with demonstrators filling streets across the globe to protest issues from the wage gap to gender violence. For the past 14 months — through vigorous rallies and the surging #MeToo and #TimesUp movements — women have made clear that gender inequity is unacceptable and that they will not be silenced. Now, with the Women's March on Washington in the history books, activists face the challenge of uniting women with different identities under one tent. Experts say it's a challenge that must be overcome to realize the goals of the women's movement.

Some news to raise a fist to:

•	West Virginia teachers' victory shows 'power of women'
•	The 10 best states for women
•	The Kansas City Royals are taking a stand against pornography
•	KFC replaced the iconic Colonel Sanders with his wife

No big deal, just a trade war

President Trump made it official. He imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports Thursday, saying they're designed to protect American industries. Trump said the plan exempts Canada and Mexico, pending the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations, and allows other countries to apply for relief. This is not news the rest of the world wanted to hear. The European Union and other allies have threatened to retaliate with tariffs of their own on American products, from Florida orange juice to Kentucky bourbon. What does this mean for consumers? Some predict a trade war that would increase costs for people everywhere.

The president doesn't want Stormy Daniels to talk. This could backfire.

The salacious details of Stormy Daniels' alleged affair with Donald Trump more than a decade ago have seeped out to the public, but the porn-star-turned-household-name has been barred from telling the story herself. Daniels is fighting in court to change that, claiming the "hush agreement" she signed weeks before the 2016 presidential election was invalid because Trump hadn't signed it. The president is trying to keep Daniels quiet through arbitration, a move that legal experts say could force the president to admit his role as a party to an agreement that paid Daniels to stay quiet. That also could get him in hot water with the Federal Election Commission.

Beware this Mexican hot spot

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City is prohibiting U.S. government employees from traveling to the popular resort town of Playa del Carmen after receiving information about a security threat. This comes after a Feb. 21 explosion on the ferry that links Playa del Carmen with the town of Cozumel. The incident injured 25 people, including two Americans. If you're not a government employee, note that the State Department issued a "Level 2: Exercise increased caution" alert for Mexico earlier this year, cautioned vacationers to be careful when drinking alcohol in the country and said five states —- Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas —- should be avoided.

#MustRead: The making of a monster

Earlier this year, former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to hundreds of years in prison for sexually assaulting patients. The Indianapolis Star, which broke the story of Nassar's abuse, has now looked at how Nassar was able to get away with it for so long. What comes through loudly in court statements and interviews is that the hundreds of girls the doctor molested over three decades were not the only people groomed to perpetuate his abuse. When the truth came out, parents, coaches, trainers and medical professionals felt they had been duped for years. Explore the Star's full investigation here.

Why the last thing we need is an 'American Idol' revival

American Idol is making a comeback. If you're looking for the fun, fresh phenomenon that it used to be — yes, we mean Kelly Clarkson — you'll likely be disappointed. Idol was already fading fast when Fox ended the show two years ago, and USA TODAY's Kelly Lawler says this iteration is more of the same. Even Ryan Seacrest is returning to host, in spite of recently re-publicized allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies.

The Short List is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.