THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 14-20, 2025: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

ALTHOUGH W.H.O. HAS ENDED THE PANDEMIC,

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR A MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

DECEMBER 21 IS THE WINTER SOLSTICE FOR THOSE NORTH

OF THE EQUATOR AND THE SUMMER SOLSTICE FOR THE SOUTHERN HALF.

DECEMBER 23 IS FESTIVUS.

DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE AND EGG NOG DAY.

DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS.🎄

DECEMBER 26 IS BOXING DAY🎁 AND THE START OF KWANZAA.

DECEMBER 26 IS ALSO CANDY CANE DAY.

DECEMBER 27 IS FRUIT CAKE DAY.

DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE.

JANUARY 1 IS NEW YEAR’S DAY 2026.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*South Korea plans to help the United States in the Pacific.

*There is a new natural gas deal between Israel and the United States.

*America has a pending weapons sale to Taiwan.

*The reported COVID state of the world, as of December 20, 2025. But why has there been no data from the United States since January 21, 2025???

*Libraries and books still matter.

*Ancient statues have been restored in Luxor.

*The HAIRBO Candy Company celebrates it 105th anniversary this year.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

*Concerning Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Gaza Strip and more. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*Israel attacked a wedding???

*The US reports multiple attacks against ISIS in Syria.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues…  

*Analysis: Russia's current economic status.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice through arrest and trial.

🌐THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…

*The Arctic Ocean is getting warmer???

*Apparently the Trump/Republican regime doesn't want to continue researching renewable energy.

*Analysis: How environmental funds are being cut to each member of the United States.

*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees🎄 to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees 🎄to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*What is in the skies over Italy???

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Actor (All In The Family) director (The Princess Bride, Spinal Tap, much more) Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle.

*Singer/songwriter Carl Carlton (♫Ever Lasting Love♫, other hits) is no longer with us.

*Actor Anthony Geary (General Hospital, UHF, other roles) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Former professional football🏈 player Garrett Ford Senior is no longer with us.

*Musician Joe Ely (worked with multiple groups over a long career) has passed away.

*Former professional baseball⚾ pitcher Mike Campbell is no longer with us.

*Actor Gil Gerard (1980s version of Buck Rogers, The Doctors, many more roles over a long career) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, along with Craig Wadsworth, Dennis and Jack Dutton all passed away in a plane crash December 18.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS THE US NAVY CELEBRATES

ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY DECEMBER 22.

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*The US Navy is still active in the waters off the Venezuelan coast.

*There is a new natural gas deal between Israel and the US.

*America has a pending weapons sale to Taiwan.

*The Trump/Republican regime has increased travel ban restrictions.

THE TRUMP TARIFF TURMOIL AND THE ECONOMY…

*Trump addressed the nation concerning the economy December 17.

*Analysis: Trump's latest speech on the economy.

*Analysis: The Economy versus The Job Market.

*Analysis: Heating costs.

*Various opinions on Trump's December 17 address.

*Opinion: America's finances.

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*The Trump/Republican regime has ended the Diversity Immigrant Visa plan.

*Opinion: It's all about the quotas.

*Opinion: OOPS!

*Speculation: Does ICE profile???

*Speculation: Is ICE targeting children???

*Speculation: The profits of deportation???

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*Trump has a new definition for Weapons of Mass Destruction???

*The Trump/Republican regime versus the Smithsonian???

*Despite the illegalities involved, they renamed The Kennedy Center??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Remembering Trump's first Impeachment.

*Speculation: The status of Trump's past lawsuits against the government.

*Speculation: Does FBI Director Kash Patel know what he's doing???

TRUMP VERSUS ROB REINER...

IMAGE OF ACTUAL TEXT

*The issue started when Trump responded December 15 to the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The opinions of Tracy Reiner, Jasmine Crockett, Other Celebrities, Some Congressionals, Other Republicans and the Average American. (There are 6/SIX separate links in this item.)

*But apparently Trump doesn't care.

*The White House Social Media Service even repeated it.

THE BALLROOM BLITZ...

*A Federal Court has ruled the ballroom project is on again, for now.

*Apparently Trump's remodeling plans don't end with the White House.

ALSO…

*White House chief of staff Susie Wiles' Vanity Fair interview. It apparently wasn't favorable to the Trump/Republican regime. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*If Trump wants to sue Pulitzer...

*The US version of TikTok will soon have new owners.

*Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is rewriting the rules for Chaplins???

*The Patriot Games???

*Analysis: A look at Trump's staff.

*Analysis: Trump's overall approval ratings, so far.

*Opinion: Another case of voter regret.

*Opinion: The future of Michigan???

*Speculation: Trump doesn't like sign language???

*Speculation: Just how big is Trump's ego???

*Who still currently has a grant???

*Keeping track of all the legal actions against the current Trump/Republican regime and its personnel.

*The latest from the White House.

CITY SEIZURES…

*A Federal Judge sided with California over the use of National Guard personnel there.

NOTE: Washington, DC is the only city the Trump/Republican regime has any official authority to act within. The rest are questionable, at best.

THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN SITUATION…

REMEMBER?

*More photos were released December 18.

*The Department of Justice met the 30/THIRTY day deadline to release the Epstein Files. Sort of.

*US Attorney General Pam Bondi may now face impeachment over the noncompliance.

*Analysis: What was released. Including over a ream (500 pages!) of blackouts! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: At least one victim has been vindicated.

*Speculation: Where are the missing files??? Let alone the (known) picture of Trump??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: Why is the Department of Justice now past the deadline for releasing ALL the Epstein Files???

*NOTE: Any possible crimes happened BEFORE his first Presidential campaign so as a potential civilian suspect, Donald Trump is NOT covered by the Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Ruling in The Jeffrey Epstein Situation.

FACT BASED OPINION

MEDICAL NEWS…

*Where does Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy, Junior stand on the current measles outbreak???

*So what happened to the Republican health care plan???

*Opinion: Robert F. Kennedy, Junior's position on medical research.

*Opinion: The Trump/Republican regime on genders.

*Opinion: Americans aren't happy with health care under Trump.

*Opinion: Despite claims otherwise, the math doesn't add up.

*Speculation: Rich cheese is actually good for you???

*The current status of your hospital.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*The Court has decided not to honor the Trump/Republican regime's request to limit the public speaking engagements of immigration lawyers.

*Pending any legal emergencies, the Court will be taking a brief recess for the winter/Christmas holidays before returning in early 2026.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*The Lumbee Tribe is now official.

*A hotel owner has been found guilty of discrimination.

*Remembering musician Clark Terry.

🛑STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*Who killed actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle???

*They had a suspect in 2/TWO Massachusetts shootings, but found him dead???

*A potential New Year's Eve attack has been prevented.

*Analysis: The status of guns and their victims.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

FACT BASED OPINION

*Trump's national address concerning the economy December 17.

*Unfortunately, there is no holiday bonus for US Soldiers.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Funding the Affordable Care Act, aka Obama Care, may effect the impending budget battle that must be resolved before the end of January 2026.

*More Congressional Republicans will not seek reelection.

*The latest Bills pending before Congress.

*Congress is now officially on winter/Christmas vacation until the beginning of 2026.

ELSEWHERE…

*Even if he's no longer friends with Trump, Elon Musk is still supporting the Republican Party.

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*There is now a light fueled blood test for diabetics.

ALL MEMES COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 14-20, 2014

THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER SOLSTICE IS DECEMBER 21st.

MEANWHILE, THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WILL BE

EXPERIENCING ITS SUMMER SOLSTICE.

CHRISTMAS IS DECEMBER 25th.

BOXING DAY IS DECEMBER 26th.

KWANZA BEGINS DECEMBER 26th.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*Laurent Lamothe has resigned as Prime Minister of Haiti in the wake of violent protests there. No word on when a new election will be scheduled yet.
*The Liberal Democratic Party has won a majority in the Japanese general election.
*The Parliament of Greece failed to elect a new President in the first round of voting.
*Hong Kong authorities report there are no longer any protest camps in existence following students wanting voting reform from the Chinese government.
*Known Ebola Virus deaths have risen over 7000 victims for 2014, according to the World Health Organization.
*Denmark has filed a claim with the United Nations for sovereign ownership of the North Pole.
*The United Nations is taking steps to address the issue of climate change.
*Same gender marriages are now legal in Scotland.
*Rolene Strauss of South Africa is the new Miss World, 2014.

CONCERNING NORTH KOREA...
*North Korea has forced Sony Pictures to pull The Interview (about a fictitious attempt on the life of current leader Kim Jong-un) from theaters before its debut, or have movie houses targeted for attacks "that would rival 9-11".
*Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures will not allow theaters to show Team America: World Police in The Interview's place. That comedy featured former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as a villain.
*North Korea also denies all allegations of involvement in the hacker attacks against Sony Studios, and claims there will be "serious repercussions" if America refuses the country's offer to help with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, America has not accepted their offer and has requested China's help in tracking down the foreign based hackers.

TERRORISM UPDATE...
*Taliban gunmen stormed a school in Peshawar, Pakistan; killing over 140 people, mostly students. In the aftermath of this attack, Pakistan has reestablished the death penalty for guilty terrorists.
*India has declared a ban on ISIS/ISIL after some of their members were found responsible for violent acts in that country.
*Yemen has been the target for a rash of car bombs.
*Members of Boko Haram reportedly have stormed the village of Gumsuri, Nigeria; killing over 30 people while kidnapping roughly 200 hostages.


BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UKRAINE...
*Russia is trying to stop the rapid decline of the ruble.
*The European Union and the United States have imposed new sanctions against Russian occupied Crimea.
*Donetsk, Ukraine is still occupied by pro-Russian separatists at this time.

PASSING PARADE...
*Robert Simpson, co-creator of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale, is no longer with us.
*Actor Booth Colman (The original Planet of the Apes franchise, Norma Rae, etc) has taken his last bow on life's stage.
*Arthur Gardner (Film/TV producer/actor) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*President Barack Obama has announced efforts to renew diplomatic relations with Cuba. America is scheduled to reestablish an embassy in Havana in 2015.
*In its last week of work before the 2014 Winter Break, while still having a Democratic majority, the Senate approved Vivek Murthy as the new Surgeon General.
*The national average for a gallon of gasoline has fallen below $2.75; but nobody is thanking or blaming President Obama for it.
*America has imposed new sanctions against Russian occupied Crimea.
*Pending any last minute legal challenges, Florida will officially recognize same gender marriages come January 2015.

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