THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 25-31, 2016

TODAY IS NEW YEAR'S EVE!

JANUARY 1 MARKS THE BEGINNING OF 2017!

JANUARY 1 MARKS THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELLIS ISLAND OPENING.

JANUARY 4 IS THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SALLY FORTH COMIC STRIP.

JANUARY 5 IS BIRD DAY, CELEBRATING OUR FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS.

JANUARY 6 MARKS THE 105TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEW MEXICO JOINING THE UNITED STATES.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*A plea for peace was the main theme of Pope Francis’ 2016 Christmas Mass.

*Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and offered “sincere and ever lasting condolences” on behalf of his country for the events of December 7, 1941.

*Scientists fear the cheetah is now on the verge of extinction with a current population of less than 7200 in the wild.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*Even as we approach the final hours of the calendar year, bombs are still the terrorist weapon of choice to kill innocent civilians and government targets.

PASSING PARADE…

*Actress/writer Carrie Fisher (best known as Princess Leia of Star Wars) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Actress Debbie Reynolds (credits too numerous to mention) took her last bow on life’s stage after suffering a stroke upon being told her daughter Carrie Fisher passed away.

*Singer/songwriter George Michael, formerly of Wham!

*The 92 victims of the Tupolev Tu-154 crash.

*Actor George S. Irving (Underdog, The Year Without A Santa Claus, Irene) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

Noted Chess Grandmaster Ashot Anastasian has passed away.

*Actor Ricky Harris (Everybody Hates Chris) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Actress Barbara Tarbuck (General Hospital, Short Circuit) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Actor William Christopher (M*A*S*H, After MASH) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

POLITICALLY…

*The United States has expelled 35 Russian diplomats over the alleged Russian interference during the U.S.'s 2016 Presidential Election. Although President-elect Donald Trump says we should "move on", not many people are believing the hacking didn't happen. (There are 2 separate links in this item.)

*Everyone suspects one of the first acts of the 2017 Republican Congress once President Trump is in office will be to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, aka "Obama Care", yet they have no alternative to offer yet!
*Donald Trump's opinion on the recent United Nations resolution concerning Israeli settlements.

*The Republicans hope to eliminate Democratic filibustering in 2017.

MEANWHILE…

*Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and offered “sincere and ever lasting condolences” on behalf of his country for the events of December 7, 1941.

*Niloofar Rahmani, Afghanistan’s first female air force pilot, has applied for asylum in the United States.

*As the end of his second term in office draws near, President Barack Obama has declared Bears Ears, Utah and the Gold Butte area of Nevada as National Monuments. Yet Utah's State Attorney General is contemplating a lawsuit against Obama for his action.
*What else might Barack Obama do before he leaves office???

*What might President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office be like???

*Donald Trump tweets "Happy New Year" to his enemies.

ELSEWHERE…
*Jeopardy! champion Cindy Stowell had terminal cancer, a fact not made public before she passed away before her first episode even aired! Her story is being called inspirational. (There are 2 separate links in this item.)

*WHO was the most admired man in 2016???

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our ELSEWHERE feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.