Republicans Take Control of Senate in November Elections

For the first time since 2006, the Republican party is the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.  53 Republicans are now in the Senate, 45 Democrats, and two Independents.

Illinois Goes Red After Governor Election

Illinois elected businessman Bruce Rauner as governor in the race against former governor Pat Quinn.  Pat Quinn took over the governor office after former governor Rod Blagojevitch was impeached on corruption charges in 2009.  The last time Illinois had a Republican governor was in 2003 with George Ryan, who spent time in federal prison on corruption charges, too.

Ebola Outbreak Sets World on Edge

The Ebola virus has killed 4,877 people from around the world, primarily from West Africa and Liberia.  Since August 2, 2014, nine individuals have had Ebola while in the United States.  The first patient with Ebola, Thomas Duncan, in the United States died on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now requires anyone who has been in contact with an Ebola patient to have a checkup and notify their local public health authorities.

Details About ISIS Torture Methods Emerge

James Foley, the first journalist to be executed by ISIS militants, was also subjected to torture before his beheading. Torture included beatings, water boarding, and mock executions.  In Syria, American aid worker Abdul Rahman Kassig is being held by ISIS and will most likely be the next victim of execution.  British photojournalist John Cantlie is also a hostage under ISIS.

Teenager Wins Peace Prize and Donates Money

Malala Yousafzai received this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.  17 years old, Malala has been an activist for women’s rights in Pakistan since she was 11.  She was only 12 when she was shot three times in the face by a Taliban soldier because she wanted to go to school and receive an education. She is donating $50,000 from the prize towards the rebuilding of a United Nations school in Gaza.

San Francisco Giants Win World Series in Nail-Biting Seventh Game

The San Francisco Ginats beat the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series on October 29.  The series was tied 3-3.  The Giants won 3-2 playing on the Royals’ home turf.  This marks the Giants’ third World Series championship in the past five years.