Istanbul nightclub shooter confesses

A man from Uzbekistan was arrested in Turkey after confessing responsibility for the deadly New Year’s gun attack at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub. He has been dubbed an ISIS-influenced terrorist. The shooter, Abdulgadir Masharipov, allegedly opened fire in the early hours of New Year’s Day, leaving 39 people dead and dozens more injured.  ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, which could be seen as “declaration of war on Turkey,” says CNN intelligence and security analyst, Bob Baer. The nightclub’s owner, Memet Korcarslan said, “I think a huge weight has been lifted off the shoulders of all the victims and their families just knowing that this man is no longer walking free.”

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/17/europe/istanbul-reina-attack-arrest/index.html

Search for missing plane suspended

The arduous search for the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 won’t continue until “credible” evidence emerges, Australia’s transport minister said Wednesday. Australia, China, and Malaysia announced together the suspension of the three year long search for the plane that vanished out of thin air over the Indian Ocean. Officials from these nations had been leading a search for the plane and on Tuesday they issued a joint statement declaring the disheartening suspension. “The decision to suspend underwater search has not been taken lightly nor without sadness,” the statement said. It also said they were using the best science available, cutting edge technology, and advice from highly skilled professional but unfortunately, they were not able to locate the plane.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/17/asia/mh370-search-suspended/

Two powerful earthquakes rattle Italy

On Wednesday, two massive earthquakes struck central Italy about 50 miles north of the site of the deadly August quake that killed nearly 300 people. The first quake struck at 7 p.m. 2 miles north of Visso with a magnitude of 5.5 and the second with a magnitude of 6.1 in the same region. There have been no reports of injuries, but there was damage in Visso and another nearby town, Campi, where there were reportedly constant, small aftershocks. The two quakes both hit between the cities of Perugia and Macerata, according to ANSA.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/26/europe/italy-earthquake/

“El Chapo” transported to the United States

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who became a legend in Mexico due to his dramatic prison escapes and years of staying ahead the law was transported to the United States on Thursday.

Mexican authorities wanted to turn over the Drug Kingpin before Friday’s inauguration of Donald Trump. A court in Mexico City denied Guzman’s appeal of extradition. He was picked up by a team of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration, and Customs Enforcement and US marshals. Guzman faces six separate indictments across the United States. He is expected to appear Friday in a courtroom in Brooklyn.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/19/us/el-chapo-guzman-turned-over-to-us/index.html

Miguel Ferrer passes away

On Thursday, Miguel Ferrer died after a battle with throat cancer. The actor appeared on “NCIS: Los Angeles” for seven seasons and he was the son of Academy Award and Tony winner Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney. He was also the cousin of actor George Clooney. “Actor Miguel Ferrer passed away peacefully in his home this morning after losing his battle to cancer,” CBS said in a statement. Ferrer joined “NCIS: Los Angeles” in season three and late last year, the show introduced a storyline hinting that his character was struggling with a serious illness. He was 61.

For more information: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/19/entertainment/miguel-ferrer-dead/index.html