Smoking weed declared a ‘human right’ in Mexico
On Nov. 5, in a 4-1 ruling, Mexico’s Supreme Court decreed that “outlawing the possession and use of the marijuana plant represents a violation of fundamental human rights.” People reportedly smoked weed outside the Mexico City Supreme Court building after the ruling. The ruling does not mean that cannabis is legal; it only opens the door for further drug law reform in the country. The issue was brought forth by four members of Mexicans United for Responsible and Tolerant Consumption who petitioned to grow, possess and consume marijuana, according to The Washington Post. Their case reached the Supreme Court, who ruled in favor of decreeing smoking marijuana as a fundamental human right.
The world largest solar power plant slated for construction in Morocco
The northwestern African nation of Morocco will soon be the new leader in garnering solar energy. This new power plant will provide energy to over 1.1 million Moroccans by 2018, according to the World Bank. The plant is being constructed on the outskirts of the city of Ouarzazate, which is located on the boarder of the Sahara desert. The power plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 700,000 tons per year. The Sahara desert is famous for shooting Hollywood movies such as “Gladiator” and the TV series “Game of Thrones.”
Financial scandals hit the Vatican as new books hit the shelves
On Nov. 4, Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi published two books depicting taped conversations that were leaked from the Vatican, alleging financial scandals, lavish spending and the private authoritative counsel given by Pope Francis to his closest advisers. The books allege that Peter’s Pence, the Pope’s fund for charity that is funded by donations by dioceses around the world, has had their monies redirected to cover the Vatican’s administration. The books also discuss the Vatican’s open bank accounts for past popes, including Pope John Paul and Pope Paul V, with ending balances totaling over $296,000. Another hot topic detailed in the book is the Vatican’s real estate value, which is estimated to be 2.7 billion euros. However, this amount, according to CNN, is more than seven times than what is declared in their financial reports. The Vatican is considering legal actions against the author.
Oscar Pistorius’s life stills hangs in the balance in the South African Supreme Court
Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, 28, served one year in prison for killing his girlfriend and was released last month and put on house arrest. The courts are still deciding whether or not to convict him of the slaying of his girlfriend. Pistorius’s attorneys are in deadlock debates, fighting for their client’s freedom. If convicted of this murder, Pistorius could face a minimum of 15 years in prison. Last October, the South African courts found him guilty of the homicide of his 29-year-old girlfriend. Pistorius is famous for running the 400-meter at the London 2012 Olympics against able-bodied men.
Notorious elephant poacher and ivory trafficker arrested
Boniface Matthew Mariango, who has killed thousands of elephants and was nicknamed “The Devil” by law enforcement officials, was arrested on Nov. 5 by Tanzania’s National and Transnational Serious Crimes Investigation Unit (NTSCIU) after a year-long manhunt. Mariango was apprehended near Dar es Salaam, a major port city in Tanzania.
