Top News Countdown
Top news stories from the national and global perspective
February 24, 2017
A conservation group reports that giraffe populations are falling fast and by 40 percent in the last 30 years. The main causes of why these gentle giants disappear so quickly point toward habitat loss, illegal hunting (poaching), and civil unrest in the countries they live in. The endangered list is growing quickly with species including birds, insects, mammals, aquatic life, and plants.
On Monday, December 19, Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was assassinated in Ankara at an art gallery. Both Russia and Turkey have promised to not allow the shooting of Ambassador Andrey Karlov to ruin their relations that have advanced in recent years. President Putin believes the attack was to provoke harshness and break the peace Russia and Turkey are fighting for in Syria.
During his game against the Tampa Bay Buccaners, Ezekiel Elliot scored six points at the beginning of the second quarter and proceeded to hop into the Salvation Army kettle behind the end zone; however, concerns arose when the public thought the NFL would fine Elliot for his touchdown celebration. Elliot stated that whatever the amount he was fined he would match in a donation to the Salvation Army. A lot of publicity and awareness was created from this out of the blue moment.
On Sunday, December 18, Zsa Zsa Gabor died from heart failure. The Hungarian lived a long life filled with her fame for her beauty and ties with the Gabor-Hilton empire. She was reported to have been frequently hospitalized before her death with incidents like broken hip and leg amputation. Gabor remains a household name and famous for just being famous.
A family in Minneapolis lost their dog, McCoy, nearly two years ago, but mom, Melissa Carlson received a call that would reunite McCoy with his owners and their four kids. McCoy was found almost 200 miles away in Wadena when he was taken to a Humane Society center and had his microchip read. A dog’s memory never fails for when the reunion took place McCoy was ecstatic to be back home.
As a possible terror attack on Monday, December 19, a hauling truck was purposely driven through a market where 12 people were killed and 48 injured. The driver was supposedly found walking the street a mile away from the incident, but now police report that he could possibly not be the driver at all. Berlin’s Christmas markets were called to be closed for the next day in a day of mourning and not reopened until further notice.
Inductees for the new 2017 addition to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Joan Baez, Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur and Yes out of 19 nominees. All of the additions to the Hall of Fame were first time nominees except for Yes. Eligibility requires that the first single of the group/individual must have been released 25 years prior to the nomination which made Pearl Jam ad Skakur’s first year of eligibility.
Obama relayed on how the Democratic Party lost by not showing up in the election. He critiqued their campaign strategy and gave insight on how they could have focused on harder to hit rural areas to secure votes.
In the tradition of the new first lady and former first lady meeting in the White House, Michelle and Melania exchanged greetings and advice for entering the presidential life. Michelle said she would give to Melania what she was given by Lora Bush with nothing but grace and kindness.
Despite Trump’s alleged ideology and populist theory, Trump seems to be more conservative than he appeared. His cabinet is consisted with mainly conservative men who will advise Trump on future bills and acts for the nation. Four women have already been appointed to spots in Donald Trump’s cabinet.
