THE WEEK IN REVIEW: NOVEMBER 2-8, 2014

THIS IS THE 125th ANNIVERSARY OF MONTANA AND WASHINGTON JOINING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

NOVEMBER 10th MARKS THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BERLIN WALL BEING DESTROYED, THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF SESAME STREET BEGINNING, AND THE 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE IWO JIMA MEMORIAL BEING DEDICATED.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*The World Health Organization has appointed Doctor Matshidiso Moeti of Botswana its new Chief of Operations in Africa, as the current Ebola Virus death toll has surpassed 5,000 victims.
*An International, joint law enforcement operation reports shutting down over 400 illegal domains and marketplaces of the "dark net".
*Apple Computers reports two new malware viruses, called "WireLurker" and "RootPipe" are specifically targeting their products.
*The new Juncker Commission, the European Union's executive body until 2019, has officially taken office.
*Protectionist won the 2014 Melbourne Cup in professional horse racing.
*Star Wars, Episode VII has been officially subtitled The Force Awakens.

TERRORIST CONCERNS...
*ISIS/ISIL terrorists are allegedly attempting to recruit children from around the world to join their cause. Meanwhile, authorities prevented a possible ISIS/ISIL assassination attempt against Queen Elizabeth the II of England before any potential assailants reached Europe, but they do stand accused of slaughtering over 300 members of the Sunni Albu Nimr tribe in Iraq.

*Fighting continues in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

BETWEEN THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA...
*Voters in the separatist "People's Republic's" of Donetsk and Lugansk, which
are still technically part of the Ukraine, went to the polls to elect their own officials, although the results will only be recognized by Russia.
*Kiev claims Russia has sent 30 more tanks and ammunition into the Ukraine, in violation of the current cease fire agreement.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
ON THE POLITICAL FRONT...

*As previously reported, after the 2014 mid-term elections, the Republican Party not only maintained their majority in the House of Representatives, but manged to buy win a majority in the Senate, giving them "control" of Congress starting January 2015.
*Analysts and pundits are concerned that the Republicans might attempt taking advantage of the situation to undo past progress like the Affordable Health Care Act (aka "Obama Care"), or threaten more shutdowns if things don't go their way.
*While there has been no official statements from any Republicans concerning their upcoming agenda, an opinion editorial published in The Wall Street Journal, written by re-elected Senator Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the House John Boehner did mention those possibilities, along with potential tax breaks for the rich and restructuring corporate (tax) laws; with no word about raising the minimum wage, equal pay for women or protecting their "reproductive rights", and nothing about improving voters' rights and registration processes.
*President Barack Obama has publicly stated that he hopes "both sides" can cooperate to continue achieving progress for America and its citizens.
*Meanwhile, voters in Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia decided to legalize "recreational" marijuana; as voters in Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota decided to raise their minimum wages locally.
ELSEWHERE...
*The official autopsy results for the late Robin Williams reveal NO presence of illegal substances or alcohol in his body at the time of his death. The comedian sadly lost the battle with his inner demons without any outside interference, while trying to come to terms with being in the early stages of Parkinson disease.
*Although originally scheduled for September 11th, 2014 for obvious reasons, the new One World Trade Center is officially open.

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