Jordan Bolker
Staff Writer
1. Thailand’s first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has been banned from politics for five years and could face jail time with charges of abuse of power. She is the fifth Thai prime minister to have been banned from politics in the last decade. (MSN)
It seems like rice can really corrupt even the most important world leaders. That’s right; Yingluck became the first premier in Thailand’s history to be impeached and subsequently banned from politics after she admitted to being involved in a scheme that paid rice farmers double the market price and costing the country more than $10 billion. There seems to be harsh luck against politicians not just in the United States but also globally as far as criminal charges go. An abuse of power is a crime that must be carefully examined because otherwise, the whole world would start charging leaders of power-hungry acts.
2. Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody could potentially face animal cruelty charges and contract termination after his dog died from untreated worms. (Washington Post)
It’s good to know that the NFL is taking this case seriously for cases of animal abuse. It’s shocking to think that these actions to fire Cody would be taken had the case not come about. It will be interesting to see what new level this type of crime will bring to professional sports in the future.
3. Eddie Ray Routh, the accused killer of America’s best sniper Chris Kyle and wounded veteran Chad Littlefield, is scheduled for his trial to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. Because of the popular ratings of “American Sniper,” people across the country have been urging to seek the death penalty against Routh or the highest sentence possible. (CBS)
Although Routh was recently diagnosed with PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it does not excuse him from committing murder on fellow veterans. His request for changing the venue has been denied but no matter where the trial will be located, there is going to be some sort of disagreement of having an unbiased jury. In the end, the important thing is for the family of Chris Kyle to have the justice they need no matter what the reason was behind Routh’s motive.
4. The University of Michigan has to cough up more than $75,000 in damages after members of six fraternities and sororities destroyed the interior of two northern Michigan ski resorts during a weekend getaway. (ABC)
This is what happens when you give up your sanity for three Greek letters.
5. “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum as a recent U.N. Women Global Goodwill Ambassador to unveil her next operation of the HeForShe organization. Watson has become known as one of the biggest celebrity feminists in the world after graduating from Brown University. (Yahoo)
Sometimes being an English major pays off. Watson is one of the most iconic female celebrity role models since the start of her acting career in 2001 and has proven to show strong debate skills in the fight for gender equality. It’s important for women all around to see that the smartest celebrities are those who don’t fill up their Instagram page full of photos expanding on their obsession with pizza.
