THE WEEK IN REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2014

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ITS INTERNET SERVICE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE POSTING DELAY.

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

*Airstrikes have begun against ISIS/ISIL forces in Syria. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed the terrorists are responsible for the beheading of a French tourist because of his country's participation in the military action.
*Several independent rebel groups in Syria have announced they are putting aside their differences, at least for now, and are uniting in the fight against a common enemy: ISIS/ISIL forces.
*The World Health Organization has announced the death toll in the West Africa Ebola Virus Crisis at almost 3000 victims.
*University and college students across Hong Kong are skipping classes and risking arrest to protest Beijing's plan to no longer have fully democratic elections. The movement has led to the formation of a new group: Occupy Central With Love And Peace.
*NASA's Mars Atmospheric And Volatile evolutioN (MAVEN) and India's Mars Orbiter have both reached the red planet. Some critics are noting that the Indian Space Research Organization's probe cost their country far less than the American one did the United States.
*The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument has been expanded to 490,000 square miles.
*The German pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA will be buying the American Sigma-Aldrich company for $17 BILLION US dollars, while Seimens AG will be acquiring the Dresser-Rand Group for $7.6 BILLION US dollars.
*The trio of white tiger cubs have made their public debut at the Buenos Aires Zoo.

BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UKRAINE...
*Demonstrations in support of the Ukraine and against the pro-Russian
separatists/the war currently in Donbass have taken place all over the world, including MOSCOW!
*Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that he will restrict access to Russian markets if the Ukraine participates in any trade agreement with the European Union.
*Between the Ukrainian situation and Russia's interests in a contested island off its coast, Japan has increased its sanctions against Russia.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*Eric Holder has announced he will be resigning as the United States' Attorney General as soon as the Senate appoints his successor.
*America is participating in the air strikes against ISIS/ISIL forces in Syria.
*President Barack Obama has signed the memorandum expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to 490,000 square miles.
*Two American companies, Sigma-Aldrich and the Dresser-Rand group, are being sold to German businesses.
*Derek Jeter will be ending his 20 year career in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees in Sunday's season finale against the Boston Red Sox.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.