This Week in Pictures: March 21 – 27, 2017

Last week saw all sorts of big news stories breaking around the world so we take a moment to review some of the most significant.

In the United States the embattled administration of President Donald Trump suffered an embarrassing set back last week when the bill introduced to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, failed to gain enough support to be put to a vote and was withdrawn.
Speaker Paul Ryan said “We didn’t quite get consensus today” attempting to paper over the cracks in his party after the failure to, as promised for seven years, repeal and replace the ACA on “Day One”.

In the UK an attack in Westminster, Central London, killed four people and injured at least 50 others when a car mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge, slamming into numerous pedestrians before attempting the ram the railings of the Houses of Parliament near Big Ben. The occupant of the vehicle, Khalid Masood, then stabbed a policeman on duty and attempted to enter Parliament. He was shot and killed by a close protection unit of the Foreign Secretary. IS claimed to have inspired the attack.

In Germany the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel received a welcome boost ahead of Federal Elections later this year when her party comfortably won the Saarland State election last week. Her Christian Democrats got 40.7% of the vote, up from 35.2% in 2012, well ahead of the challenging Social Democrats of Martin Schulz on just 29.6% in poll many observers say is a good indication of voter inclinations. Mz Merkel will be attempting to win a fourth term in office in September.

In sports the Formula One season got underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last weekend and saw a surprise win for the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel who came home ahead of both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in their reputedly faster Mercedes. Does this spell an end to the domination of the silver arrows? You’ll have to read our daily news pages to find out but in the meantime here’s a look back at some of the big stories we covered over the last seven days.

1. We took a look at the extremely interesting life of former footballer Thomas Gravesen.

2. We look at how the lure of casinos might not just attract overseas gamblers to the land of the rising sun but also draw revenue away from the Japanese lottery.

3. GamingZion tried to collect the best odds to bet on NHL playoffs as early as possible!

4. One of the biggest and best online casinos is now officially available inside Brazil.

5. GamingZion breaks down a few of the biggest UFC fights members of PaddyPower can bet on this year.

6. We took a look at the many different career paths that Shaquille O’Neil has taken during his lifetime.

7. We discuss the news that the US is beginning to crack down on North Korea’s online gambling activities

Meanwhile in Ontario, Canada, a pilot has gone missing after his plane crashed, some 285 miles from where it took off in Ann Arbour Airport, Michigan. The Cessna 172 had a flight plan for Harbor Springs, but crashed near Manitouwadge and investigators were unable to locate any signs of the pilot, a Chinese national, at the crash site. The aircraft was registered to the University of Michigan and wasn’t designed for use with parachutes. The mystery of the ghost pilot remains, as yet, unsolved.