THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 8-14, 2024: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

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

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR YOUR MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

DECEMBER 14 IS MONKEY DAY.

DECEMBER 16 IS NATIONAL DAY IN BAHRAIN AND

SOUTH AFRICA’S DAY OF RECONCILIATION.

DECEMBER 18 IS NATIONAL DAY IN QATAR.

DECEMBER 21 IS THE START OF WINTER FOR THOSE ABOVE THE EQUATOR

AND THE START OF SUMMER FOR THOSE BELOW THE EQUATOR.

DECEMBER 23 IS FESTIVUS.

DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE AND EGG NOG DAY.

DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS & THE START OF HANUKKAH.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*South Korea now has an acting President. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*France has a new Prime Minister.

*At the virtual G7 Summit...

*The COVID state of the world, as of December 14, 2024.

*The MPOX state of the world, as of December 14, 2024.

*Gen Z in today’s work environment.

*New Zealand to outlaw greyhound racing.

*The winner of the 2024 World Chess Championship is…

*The 2024 (Video) Game of the Year is...

*Has Atlantis been found???

*Another reason dark chocolate is good for you.

*December 15 marks the 35th anniversary of the start of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu’s downfall.

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… 

*Rebels seized control of Damascus as Assad fled to Russia. They have since started releasing all his prisoners. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*But what is Israel doing in Syria???

*Why is Russia in Syria???

*Humanitarian aid is still having trouble reaching Gaza.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues… 

*Poland’s concerns grow after Russia’s latest missile strike.

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…

*Tehran, Iran had a temporary shutdown due to bad air pollution.

*Malibu, California USA is facing another wildfire.

*Is the Mekong Catfish making a comeback??? 

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Paralympian William Arnott is no longer with us.

Former professional football🏈 player Jimmy Wilkerson has passed away.

*Former professional baseball⚾ player turned coach Merv Rettenmund has passed away.

*Actor/writer Arnold Yarrow (numerous credits from 1955-2012) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Former professional baseball⚾ player Rocco/Rocky Colavito, Junior is no longer with us.

*Artist Lorraine O’Grady has passed away.

*Actor Michael Cole (many TV and film roles from 1961-2010) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE REGIONAL PASTA RECALL???

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

*At the virtual G7 Summit...

*What President Biden hopes to accomplish before the end of his Presidency.

*A question of Federal Judges. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Of clemency and pardons. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*More bills were signed into law.

*Will the Equal Rights Amendment ever become part of the Constitution???

*Whether bullied or not, Christopher Wray is stepping down as Director of the FBI.

*West Virginia will get Federal disaster assistance.

*There is a difference of opinion on the current state of the economy.

*Dealing with obsolete laws in Colorado.

*The Republican who won’t quit.

*The latest from the White House.

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION…

*Trump claims the United States could leave NATO unless…

*Trump wants a ceasefire between Russia and the Ukraine before he takes office in January.

*The return of polio???

*If President Trump does invoke mass deportations, he is apparently on his own in New Mexico.

*A potential new Ambassador to Greece is on the horizon. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The CEO of Trump's Truth Social to be head of the Intelligence Advisory Board???

*Other announced nominees.

*Kari Lake to oversee Voice of America???

*Trump’s hopeful Defense Secretary nominee’s opinions on women in the military.

*Will “old business” be addressed during the second administration???

*With Trump’s return, the trolling resumes.

*Will Trump still lower grocery prices??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump’s opinions on who should be pardoned and who should be arrested concerning the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*“Bigotry? What bigotry?”—Donald Trump.

*Does the future Department of Government Efficiency want to eliminate the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation/FDIC, which PROTECTS banks, other financial institutions and their customers???

*Trump wants to end Daylight Savings Time.

*Would Trump privatize the US Postal Service???

*One look at Trump’s potential new Middle East adviser.

*What about those new Air Force One’s???

*Opinion: A For Profit President???

*Speculation: Will Trump’s second administration do more eavesdropping???

*Speculation: What might happen if Trump's plans for Social Security become reality.

*Speculation: Would Trump revoke a law Elon Musk hates???

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Current Congressional thoughts on the Court.

*One Justice to fulfill a personal dream.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*Trying to prevent gender based violence.

*A suspect has been arrested in the killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. He has been denied bail at this time and is fighting extradition. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A Judge has denied “Dreamers” health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obama Care.

*Gen Z in today’s work environment.

*You had to pay to be an auxiliary deputy???

*A Maryland Cracker Barrel was rude to potential customers. The employees involved have since been dismissed. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The owner of two McDonald's closed the businesses instead of honoring the new minimum wage increase!

*Remembering Sammy Davis Junior.

*Survey: Americans’ concerns about health care under a second Trump administration.

*Opinion: How do you determine financial success???

STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE!

*The murder rate in Boston, Massachusetts HAS decreased.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Just how big IS the Federal Government???

*There were NO FBI Agents, undercover or otherwise, involved in the Capitol Riot January 6, 2021.

*Time magazine fact checked their 2024 Person of the Year.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*A later retirement age???

*A Congressional review of the US Postal System is underway.

*Will there be further health care reform???

*Does Elon Musk want to end the IRS??? Some in Congress want to make filing harder and charge fees for doing so. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Government Operating Budget Battle begins anew.

*Trump doesn’t take office until January 20, but Congress is already receiving Department of Government Efficiency inspired bills.

*Former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s next gig.

TRUMP’S TRIAL(S)…

*Apparently what to do about Trump’s Hush Money 34 Convictions is still unsettled too.

*Depositions were underway for Trump versus ABC journalist George Stephanopoulos, but ABC decided to settle out of court. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

ELSEWHERE…

*Who’s responsible for the drones over the Eastern Seaboard???

*Sesame Street is now homeless???

*Can Elon Musk save Twitter/X???

*Musk’s disagreement with the Securities Exchange Commission continues. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Albertsons and Kroger cannot merge.

*The Onion will not be buying Alex Jones’ Info Wars after all.

*One look at Macy’s financial status. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Time magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year is…

*And Time’s 2024 Icon of the Year is...

*The 2024 (Video) Game of the Year is...

*The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is...

*Another reason dark chocolate is good for you.

*December 14 is the 205th anniversary of Alabama joining the United States.

😁AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*The unlikely war hero.

*Celebrating life.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 8-14, 2019

DECEMBER 14 IS WORLD MONKEY 🐒 DAY.
DECEMBER 15 MARKS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF
GONE WITH THE WIND, THE MOVIE.

DECEMBER 16 IS BAHRAIN’S NATIONAL DAY AND

SOUTH AFRICA’S DAY OF RECONCILIATION.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Chile’s President will NOT be impeached, but things aren't great there. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*“If you can’t say anything nice...”
*A ceasefire in the Donbas???
*The results of Great Britain’s recent election are...
*The measles outbreak in Samoa continues.
*Will Bougainville gain independence from Papua New Guinea???
*Russian athletes are still banned from International competitions for the foreseeable future unless they enter as individuals.
*The effort to clean outer space begins…
*What did the Curiosity Rover find on Mars???
*And the 2019 Miss Universe is…

CONCERNING CHINA...🌏
*Does that country have a new trade deal with the United States???

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*Authorities in Denmark arrested 20 potential terrorists before they could carry out their plans.
*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 CHRNICLES…🌐
*Guess who is Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year!
*How is that United Nations conference on the subject going???
*The future of household gardens???

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent victims of the New Jersey shooting “spree” December 10.
*The victims of the December New Zealand volcanic eruption.
*Carroll Spinney, the original Muppeteer for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, has passed away.
*Rapper Juice WRLD (aka Jarad Anthony Higgins) is no longer with us.
*Actor Rene Auberjonios (Star Trek: Deep Space 9, MASH: the movie, The Little Mermaid, Benson, etc) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Pete Frates, originator of the Ice Bucket Challenge, has passed away.
*Marie Fredriksson of Roxette is no longer with us.
*Actor Philip McKeon (Alice) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Screenwriter Barrie Keeffe (The Long Good Friday) has passed away.
*Comedian Chris Cotton is no longer with us.
*Actor Danny Aillelo (Moonstruck, The Godfather Part 2) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE POTENTIAL IMPEACHMENT…

*Will it all come down to Democrats versus Republicans??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*“A clear and present danger!”
*On December 10, 2019: The House of Representatives officially issued TWO Articles of Impeachment (Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress) against President Donald Trump!
*On December 11, the Articles went before the House Judiciary Committee for review. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*On December 13, they approved the charges and the matter will now go before a full session of the House for final approval scheduled for December 18, with a vote on each charge. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*What kind of a trial would Trump have in the Senate???
*Trump on the whole situation. “I’ll do whatever I want.” (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Where do we go from here???
*Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is preparing for the inevitable. But can the Republican be fair and impartial??? Maybe he should recuse himself. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Apparently the whole thing ISN'T strictly a "party" issue after all.
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*With families being separated upon apprehension, President Trump declared the lack of a border wall a “national emergency”. There have since been legal and legislative battles initiated over this.
*CHARGING for entry???
*Military money is for the military, NOT the wall!
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to discuss the costs of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
TARIFF TALK…
*Is there a new trade deal with China???
POLITICALLY…

*Everyone since George W. Bush has lied about Afghanistan???
*Rudy Giuliani is conducting his own investigation into the Ukraine “situation” for President Trump.
*More legal trouble for Trump???
*“If you can’t say anything nice...”
*“I plead not guilty.”—George Nader.
*Reducing the monitors!
*Trump versus FOX over Democrats!
*It wasn’t perfect, but the investigation WAS justified! Yet President Trump and Attorney General Barr say otherwise. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*Trump on the Florida Naval Base shooting. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Trump on anti-Semitism.
*Trump is worried about TOILETS???🚽 (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*What were they thinking???
*The Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments over Trump’s tax returns.
TRUMP TWEETS
*A new record???
*Why is Trump picking on Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME! ✅
*Clarifying the past Russian investigation.
*The impending Impeachment and YOU!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS… 
*Can Senator Mitch McConnell make a decision???
*On David Nunes latest legal actions...
*A double standard???
ELSEWHERE…

*The Free Choice E-zine's sidebar has been updated to reflect the fact that the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline now has a dedicated emergency number! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Even if it is the right thing to do, is the judge a little premature doing it???
*And it happened on LIVE TV???
*Did CNN do the right thing???
*And Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year is...
*HUH???
*It really DOES exist, and is currently for sale!
*How NOT to make a delivery!
*Adding insult to injury.
*The 2019 Heisman 🏈 Trophy winner is...
*December 14 marks the 200th anniversary of Alabama joining the United States.
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*At least somebody knows the value of good employees!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 8-13, 2013

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, THE TRAGEDY AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT (USA) OCCURRED.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Matchbox toy cars.

Amongst events happening around the world this past week...

*South Korea, concerned by China's recent military exercises, has expanded its air defense zone.
*Jang Sung-taek, uncle to current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and supporter of his late father, has been expelled from office and executed!
*The Association of Southeast Asian Nations held an emergency summit to discuss China's recent military activity.
*Chang'e 3, with the Chinese rover Yutu, has landed on the moon.
*After an international memorial service December 10, the coffin of Nelson Mandela has been flown back to Qunu in preparation for his state funeral December 15.
*As clean up and relief efforts continue, the death toll in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan has now been officially confirmed at 6000+!
*Pope Francis has been named Time magazine's Man of the Year for 2013.
*The United Nations has announced that the legalization of marijuana in Uruguay is a violation of international law.
*Australia's High (Supreme) Court declares that same-gender marriages held within that country are invalid.
*The Bali Package has been adopted by the World Trade Organization in hopes of improving international commerce.
*Civil unrest continues in Iraq, Syria, the Central African Republic, and Afghanistan.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...
*The National Security Agency has admitted to playing games online that feature live chat in an attempt to discover possible terrorist activity. They have also been tracking Internet Cookies to identify potential hacking targets.
*The Federal government will enforce sanctions against American companies that assisted Iran with its nuclear program.
*The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has shut down 52 bus lines for safety violations.
*Congress is attempting to develop a bi-partisan budget by the January 2014 deadline.
*The US Airways Group and the AMR Corporation have merged to form the American Airlines Group.
*Voting has begun for the 71st Golden Globes awards. The winners will be announced January 12, 2014.

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