The tiny South American country of Uruguay has faced a historic drought over the last three years. Freshwater reserves are now running dangerously low. In an effort to overcome the water shortage, authorities are now supplementing public drinking water from new saltier reservoirs. And it is causing an uproar.
Uruguay's 78-year-old president pushed hard for the new law legalizing and regulating the marijuana market. His reason was to avoid the problems and violence of illegal drug trafficking.
Uruguay's new left-wing government has introduced a host of new laws, regarding marijuana, abortion and same-sex marriage. They're hot topics of discussion and, surprisingly, often the reactions people have defy political labels.
Reporter Mary Jo McConahay felt like she'd heard the story from Life of Pi, long before she read the book. Turns out, the book was inspired by Brazilian book by a noted and respected author. McConahay traveled to the man's home town and short time after the author, Moacyr Scliar, died.
Reporter Valeria Fernandez is a Uruguayan who lives in Arizona. She recently went back home and had some lively discussions about all the changes with members of her own family.
For our Geo Quiz Thursday we travel to the capital of Uruguay. BBC Mundo's Vladimir Hernandez profiles Uruguay's president Jose Mujica, who's been called the world's "poorest" president.