THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 21-27, 2014

FRANCE CELEBRATES ITS 70th ANNIVERSARY OF JOINING

THE UNITED NATIONS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2015.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*KEURIG IS RECALLING OVER SIX MILLION OF THEIR K10 MINI-BREWING SYSTEMS DUE TO POSSIBLE BURN HAZARDS. The units were made and sold between December 2009 and July 2014.
*South Korea's Hydro and Nuclear Power Plant is reporting it has been hacked and has requested China's help with the investigation into the matter.
*Beji Caid Essebsi is the new President elect of Tunisia.
*The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission has fined Deutsche Bank over $3 BILLION U.S. Dollars for customer fund flaws.
*After a second round of parliament voting, Greece is still without a new President.

CONCERNING NORTH KOREA...

*The United Nations' Security Council is currently discussing North Korea's Human Rights policies and record.

*North Korea was without Internet service for several hours as China continues its own independent investigation of alleged computer hacker attacks.

*Despite warnings from North Korea, Sony Pictures rescheduled The Interview for a limited release. So far, nothing bad has happened to the theaters involved. Early reports from critics is that the movie is actually worth watching. North Korea is still calling it "a very dangerous film that justifies and promotes terrorism."

*While still denying any involvement in the initial attack on Sony Pictures, North Korea's Central News Agency used racial slurs against United States President Barack Obama during their Saturday news broadcast on the story.

CONCERNING THE WAR ON TERROR...

*Pope Francis has formally condemned ISIS/ISIL forces for their war and attacks on women, children, and minorities.
*Pakistan officials are vowing to bring the Taliban to justice for the senseless slaughter of over 140 people, mostly students, at the Peshawar School last week; including reinstating the death penalty for convicted terrorists.
*Suicide bombers still seem to be the "weapon" of choice in the Middle East.


BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UKRAINE...

*Kazakhstan has renewed its military cooperation with the Ukraine in their conflict with pro-Russian separatists.
*The Ukrainian government is proceeding in negotiations with NATO, while Russia and Pakistan have entered into a gas deal together.
*As Russia tries to stabilize the ruble, Vladimir Putin has announced price controls on vodka to prevent black market, bootlegging, and moon shining sales.
*The Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists recently completed a prisoner exchange near Donbass.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*The United States Congress is off on winter break until after the new year begins.
*Despite warnings from North Korea, Sony Pictures rescheduled The Interview for a limited release. So far, nothing bad has happened to the theaters involved. Early reports from critics is that the movie is actually worth watching.
*Computer hackers reportedly attacked both the Playstation and Xbox Live networks on Christmas Day. Sony is trying to restore their Playstation channel with no word on the current status of the Xbox system from Microsoft.

*The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission has fined Deutsche Bank over $3 BILLION U.S. Dollars for customer fund flaws.

*Film maker Joseph Sargent (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, MacArthur, etc) is no longer with us.
*Singer Joe Cocker (I'll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends, Up Where We Belong) has sadly lost his battle against lung cancer.



THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL ITS READERSHIP A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WE'LL SEE YOU IN 2015!


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