Even though it was only two weeks, Winter Break had its share of News Events. Here’s a round-up:

• Celebrity deaths: During the break Carrie Fisher, the actress who played Star Wars’ Princess (and recently General) Leia unexpectedly died after a heart attack on an airplane flight. Just two days later, her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, who was best known for her role in the classic Singin’ in the Rain died as well. A few days later, British singer George Micheal unexpectedly passed away.
• The Fort Lauderdale airport was a hit by a shooter who killed 5 people and wounded 6 others in the baggage claim area. The shooter, an Iraq war veteran was arrested unharmed and will stand trail and possibly faces the death penalty.
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe became to first Japanese Prime Minister in 75 years to visit Pearl-Harbor.
• President Obama took measures against Russia for their 2016 election hack of the Democratic National Committee. The Obama administration sanctioned Russian individuals and entities. President Obama also ordered 35 Russian diplomats to leave the country and shut down two Russian compounds.
• The Golden Globes was considered one of the most diverse yet. With winners such as Tracy Ellis Ross and Donald Glover, both African American, this award show highlighted inclusion. Then, lifetime achievement award winner  Meryl Streep used her acceptance speech to attack the divisiveness in the political/social climate of America and to criticize incoming president Donald Trump’s mocking of a disabled reporter during his campaign.
• Internationally, a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey was attacked on New Year’s Day; 39 were killed and 70 were injured.  ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.