THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JUNE 29-JULY 5, 2014

JULY 5th IS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR

ALGERIA, CAPE VERDE, AND VENEZUELA.

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*The death toll in the West African Ebola Virus outbreak is sadly now over 450+ victims.
*North Korea is threatening to try two American tourists for "crimes against the state".
*Meanwhile, South Korea reports that North Korean military "fired 2 short range missiles" into the Pacific Ocean near the coastal city of Wonsan. This prompted China's President Xi Jinping to visit South Korea.
*Islamic terrorists are a growing concern in the Middle East, as they are accused of destroying 4 churches near Chibok, Nigeria and setting off explosions near the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt.
*Hong Kong police officers made over 500 arrests during a massive pro-democracy rally July 1st.
*Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is scheduled to become an economic adviser for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
*Tonga is talking to Fiji about a potential trade of the Minerva Reefs for the Lau Islands, in hopes of settling a decades long territorial dispute.
*The BNP Paribas Bank of France has been fined $9 billion US dollars for violating financial sanctions against Cuba, Iran, and the Sudan.
*Meanwhile, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been charged with corruption and influence peddling allegations.
*Abdullah Gül has announced he will not seek reelection as President of Turkey.
*General Xu Caihou of China has been expelled from the Communist Party and is being investigated on corruption allegations.
*Scientists have confirmed the discovery of Macroscelides Micus, a new variety of elephant shrew, in northwestern Namibia.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, and Palestine.

REGARDING THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA...

*Pro-Russian separatists have released more Organization For Security And Cooperation In Europe monitors, held captive since May 29th. It is unknown how many people are still being held.
*A cameraman for Russia's Channel 1 was shot and killed in Donetsk by suspect(s) unknown.
*While still hoping for peaceful negotiations to be successful, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said the Ukrainian military will resume offensive operations against Pro-Russian rebels within Ukrainian borders.
*Valeriy Heletey has become the Ukraine's new Minister of Defense.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*After Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner announced there would be no vote on potential immigration reform "anytime this year", President Barack Obama has vowed he will "do what he can" independently of Congress to address the matter, including the border patrol problem in light of the recent increase in children illegally crossing into America alone in hopes of a better life.
*Meanwhile, First Daughter Malia Obama celebrated her 16th birthday this week, while America celebrated its 238th on July 4th.
*The United States Supreme Court, after previously declaring corporations are "people", has ruled in favor of the Hobby Lobby craft store chain, thus granting businesses the right to determine medical coverage based upon personal and religious opinions.
*The Pentagon has grounded their F-35 fighter plane fleet for safety inspections after one caught fire on a runway before take off this past week.
*Yosemite National Park celebrated the 150th anniversary of then President Abraham Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant Act, which made the parkland federally protected property.

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