THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 22-28, 2024: 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 31 IS NEW YEARS EVE.🎉🥳

DECEMBER 31, 1999 IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF PHILLIP J. FRY ACCIDENTALLY BEING PUT INTO SUSPENDED ANIMATION BEFORE AWAKENING IN FUTURAMA.

JANUARY 1 IS NEW YEAR’S DAY, HANGOVER DAY (for obvious reasons)

AND PUBLIC DOMAIN DAY.

JANUARY 1 IS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF

FRANCE JOINING THE UNITED NATIONS.

JANUARY 1 IS THE 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMC THEATRE FRANCHISE.

JANUARY 4 IS SPAGHETTI🍝 DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Accused Chinese spies arrested in other countries.

*Russia President Vladimir Putin apologized for a recent plane crash without admitting responsibility.

*The Grand Duke of Luxembourg has announced his impending abdication so his son can take over. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*There is a water dispute between Mexico and the United States???

*Will International students be able to attend American colleges and universities in 2025???

*Will Jamaica become independent of the United Kingdom???

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 28, 2024.

*There is a confirmed case of MPOX in Kosovo. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The MPOX state of the world, as of December 28, 2024.

*Although Denmark says it’s just a coincidence, they are increasing their defense spending of Greenland after Trump tried to buy the country again.

*A joint Canada-United States airport has closed.

*Microsoft is hoping for a passkey future.

*Some Apple products are now unavailable in Europe due to a new USB ruling.

*He quit over pants???

*A suspect has been arrested in the Kangaroo Killings.

*We found the remains of a baby mammoth!

*One analysis found two different nativity stories in the Bible.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

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

*As the fighting continues… 

*Who set a Christmas Tree on fire in Syria???

*The latest on Russia’s involvement.

*Why did Israeli personnel force everyone out of a Gaza hospital, then arrest its director??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Gaza needs more shelters.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues…  

*Nobody liked Russia’s Christmas Day attack against the Ukraine.

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…

*Peru is currently trying to deal with an oil spill.

*Trying to save a delicate ecosystem.

*An ongoing attempt to restore seagrass.

*Brush fires plague Australia once more.

*Will California USA ban gasoline powered cars???

*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 happened to NASA’s Parker Solar Probe??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Australia's first mission to the moon.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war. 

*The innocent lives lost during the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 Christmas Day.

*The innocent lives lost during a plane crash at a South Korean Airport December 29.

*Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh is no longer with us.

*Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the infamous Pearl Harbor attack, has joined his shipmates.

*Actor Art Evans (numerous roles over a 30 year career) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Record producer Richard Perry (worked with Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, many more) has passed away.

*Richard Parsons, former CEO of CBS, Time Warner and Citigroup, is no longer with us.

*Former professional football🏈 player Bill Bergey has passed away.

*Recently crowned Cruiser Weight World Champion Paul Bamba is no longer with us.

*Actress Olivia Hussey (Romeo and Juliet, Jesus of Nazareth, much more) has taken her last bow on life's stage.

*Sportscaster Greg Gumbel is no longer with us.

*Actress Dayle Haddon (North Dallas 40, Cyborg, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Director/screenwriter/producer Charles Shyer (active from 1977's Smokey and the Bandit 1 to 2023's Best Christmas Ever) has passed away.

*Charles Dolan, founder of HBO and Cablevision, has passed away.

*Burt the Crocodile🐊 from the Crocodile Dundee franchise is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

*Accused Chinese spies arrested in California!

*There is a water dispute between the United States and Mexico???

*President Biden signed 50 new bills into law Christmas Eve.

*Although he hated the part against prohibiting transgender healthcare for military families, President Biden signed the Defense Budget into law.

*President Biden vetoed a bill that would have created a lot more judicial positions. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*North Dakota will receive Federal Disaster Assistance.

*The Bald Eagle🦅 is now OFFICIALLY the national bird of the United States.

*President Biden has suddenly decided not to continue pursuing Student Loan Forgiveness for the remainder of his Presidency. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Biden has commuted several death sentences to life imprisonment with no parole.

*Texas is worried about foreign spies.

*Opinion: Can Biden “Trump Proof” his Environment progress???

*The latest from the White House.

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION…

*Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to meet with him to discuss the Ukraine.

*Apparently Trump’s pending “Border Czar” has no problem separating families.

*Another Cabinet nominee.

*A look at H-1B Visas. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump versus Canada???

*After trying to reclaim the canal, Trump has named a new Ambassador to Panama. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump had a busy Christmas, politically.

*Trump unhappy that Greenland isn’t for sale. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump wants to rename a mountain.

*Why is Trump making a list of Inauguration donors??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Is there a battle looming over sodas???

*An analysis concerning President Trump on the world stage.

*Speculation: Why Trump wants Greenland and the Panama Canal.

*Speculation: Will Trump undo the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act???

*Opinion: If Trump is allegedly Pro working class, why is most of his proposed Cabinet billionaires???

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Will a potential Court decision hurt the environment???

*Future President Trump wants a chance to weigh in on the fate of Tik Tok.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*Will International students be able to attend American colleges and universities in 2025???

*The Justice Department versus CVS over its Opioid practices.

*Homelessness versus affordable housing. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Potential hate crime or something else???

*Librarians and book dealers in Arkansas cannot be arrested for “questionable materials”, for now.

*Costco is against anti-Diversity Equity Inclusion measures.

*The minimum wage will be higher in 2025.

*The holidays, musically.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*A history lesson on the Panama Canal.

*One look at voting practices.

*A look at “Buy Now, Pay Later”.

*Christmas Trivia.

*One analysis found two different nativity stories in the Bible.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act. President Biden still needs to sign it for the bill to become law. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Matt Gaetz report.

*Congress is now in recess until January 6, 2025.

ELSEWHERE…

*Why are Whooping Cough cases suddenly on the rise in the US???

*A joint United States-Canada airport has closed.

*Did Walmart open illegal bank accounts???

*The United States Post Office in 2025.

*Microsoft is hoping for a passkey future.

*The latest eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii.

*Big Lots is still in business.

*Opinion: How much parking does a sports team need???

😁AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*She’s still ♫Rocking Around The Christmas Tree♫.🎄

*Fun at “The 5 Timers” Club.

*An unexpected bonus.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 22-28, 2019

DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE AND WHEN PHILIP J. FRYE WAS

CYROGENICLY FROZEN TO AWAKEN IN FUTURAMA.

JANUARY 1 IS NEW YEAR’S DAY AND THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF

WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A Y2K BUG.

JANUARY 1 MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN THE 18TH AMENDMENT TO THE US CONSTITUTION, INITIATING PROHIBITION, TOOK EFFECT.

JANUARY 1 MARKS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE ROARING (19)20’s BEGINNING.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Concerns continue over North Korea.
*Criminal justice has made progress in the murder of Jamal Khashoogi, but was it the right action??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Sadly, France’s pension reform conflict continues.
*Who will be the next Prime Minister of Iraq???
*No more Holland???
*A new mineral???

CONCERNING CHINA...🌏
*NOT the card message you were expecting!
*Why is China building in Cambodia???
*China is reducing its tariffs in hopes of increasing business.
*Changing the punishment, but it's still a crime.

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.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*Netherlands’ Supreme Court has ruled their government MUST meet established emission reduction milestones!

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Actor Tony Britton (The Day of the Jackal, Agatha, much more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Film producer David Foster (1982 version of The Thing, Short Circuit) is no longer with us.
*Songwriter Allee Willis (“I’ll Be There For You”, “September”, and more) has passed away.
*Radio personality Don Imus is no longer with us.
*Composer Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles) has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
IMPEACHMENT VERSUS IMPENDING TRIAL…

*Trump wants to turn students’ opinion in his favor.
*Next???
*Trying to figure things out.
*Impeachment TWO??? And you can imagine how Republicans feel about that, especially Trump himself! (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*Trump thinks he can be “unpeached”???
*Is the impending trial dividing the GOP???
*To recap…

POLITICALLY…
*WHEN will gerrymandering end???

*Just how many judges does Trump “have”???
*“I never understood wind.”—Donald Trump. Say WHAT???
*Is Trump trying to use the ecology against the Democrats???
*Religion and Donald Trump, pro and con. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Will the fate of “Obama Care” decide the 2020 Presidential Election??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*FINALLY, a pay raise!
*Just what DID Joe Biden say???
TARIFF TALK...
*Just how successful ARE tariffs???
TRUMP TWEETS...
*Ranting against impeachment.
*Is this for real???
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!✅
*Impeachment = official indictment on criminal charges. Trial = ???
*Trump on wind.
*How much does YOUR state governor make??? List is arranged from lowest to highest.
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*Speculation: why are Republicans leaving their party???
*Are Mitch McConnell’s Senatorial days nearing their end??? He now faces Amy McGrath for his position! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Congress is now in recess until the conclusion of their Winter Break in January 2020.
ELSEWHERE…
*The legal age to buy tobacco products in this country is going UP!
*Sorry folks, no political ads on Spotify!
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*FOUND THEM!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 22-28, 2013

Today, Western Christianity celebrates The Day of Holy Innocents.

Besides being the start of 2014, New Year's Day marks the 125th anniversary of the Tournament of Roses Parade.

As 2013 draws to a close, amongst events that have happened around the world this past week...

*Pope Francis celebrated his first Christmas Mass.
*Fearing a potential civil war, the United Nations is sending more soldiers to South Sudan.
*Russia is supplying transport vehicles to help with the dismantling of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile.
*Authorities are tracking down the illegal sales of personal information stolen from the recent Target stores data breach of November 29, 2013.
*The American Express Corporation has been ordered to pay fines for billing card holders for services never used or rendered.
*The European Space Agency has launched the GAIA Observatory to catalog spacial objects.
*After being convicted and chemically castrated for homosexual acts in 1952, Great Britain has issued computer pioneer Alan Turing a posthumous royal pardon.
*Mikhail Kalashnikov, designer of the AK-47 assault rifle, has passed away.
*Civil unrest continues in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iran.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW WOULD LIKE TO WISH ITS READERSHIP A SAFE AND HAPPY 2014.

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.