THE WEEK IN REVIEW: MAY 17-23, 2015

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

RHODE ISLAND CELEBRATES ITS 225TH ANNIVERSARY MAY 29TH.

THIS IS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING BY J. R. R. TOLKIEN.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza is still in power after a failed coup attempt, and announced that the upcoming Presidential election will proceed as scheduled.
*Protests continue in Macedonia against incumbent Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski over possible wiretapping of opposing candidates and other allegations.
*South Korea has been reassured of the United States honoring its security commitments from Secretary of State John Kerry should North Korea attempt any action against that country.
*Five major banks in the Forex Probe (Barclays, Citi, RBS, JP Morgan, and UBS) were found guilty of manipulating foreign exchange currencies and sentenced stiff fines, totaling $5.7 billion US dollars.
*Ireland will soon be the first country to legalize same gender marriages by a mandate of the popular vote.

TERRIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES...
*ISIS/ISIL forces have captured Ramadi, Iraq; Palmyra, Syria and the border town of Al Waleed. The terrorists now control over half of Syria at this time.
*Despite 3 deaths and 18 injuries, a Taliban suicide attack outside Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan was declared unsuccessful.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
POLITICALLY...

*Despite a previous blockage, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Pact has passed the Senate and is now pending approval in the House of Representatives. Many fear drastic cuts in Medicare and other social programs to finance support of this act if it becomes law.
*Meanwhile, it should come as no surprise that House Republicans killed the proposed Keep Our Campaigns Honest (K.O.C.H.) Bill; a measure that would have required candidates to disclose the source(s) of campaign contributions.
*President Barack Obama has announced that local police authorities will only receive "the appropriate" military equipment to help with law enforcement "where necessary".
*South Korea has been reassured of the United States honoring its security commitments from Secretary of State John Kerry should North Korea attempt any action against that country.
*Republicans removing infrastructure support from the budget over previous decades has been suspected of contributing to the recent Amtrak derailment in Pennsylvania.
*After Jeb Bush said at a public address that he turns to his brother, former President George W. Bush for advice on foreign matters; was silent when asked why he does that, since George W. is technically responsible for the formation of ISIS/ISIL.
ELSEWHERE...
*Five major banks in the Forex Probe (Barclays, Citi, RBS, JP Morgan, and UBS) were found guilty of manipulating foreign exchange currencies and sentenced stiff fines, totaling $5.7 billion dollars.
*A shootout between 2 rival outlaw motorcycle clubs/gangs in Waco, Texas resulted in 9 dead and 18 injured. Authorities are still investigating the situation.
*Six Baltimore, Maryland police officers face charges of reckless endangerment in the death of Freddie Gray.
*Los Angeles, California will raise the minimum wage locally to $15 an hour by 2020.
*Taylor Swift swept the 2015 Billboard Magazine Music Awards with 8 wins, including Best Artist of the Year.
*The New England Patriots have announced they will not appeal any fines or sanctions levied against them as a result of "Deflategate". Whether or not quarterback Tom Brady intends to do so remains to be seen.
*The 2015 Indianapolis 500 auto race is scheduled to be held Sunday, May 24th.
*The last Late Night with David Letterman has aired. Stephen Colbert is scheduled to take over in September, with the series in reruns until then.

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