ISIS Claims Istanbul, Turkey attack

ISIS claimed responsibility for the New Year's attack at Istanbul's Reina nightclub that left 39 people dead, but authorities are still scrambling to find the killer. ISIS' claim was made in a statement posted to Twitter. It boasted about the first major terrorist attack of 2017. "In continuation of the blessed operations which ISIS carries out against Turkey, a soldier of the brave caliphate attacked one of the most popular nightclubs while Christians were celebrating their holiday," the statement read. Both Turkish and US officials have called the attack an act of terrorism. Investigators have found the fingerprints of the suspect and know what he looks like. Footage of the attacker showed him shooting a security guard and police officer at the entrance of the nightclub. Turkish authorities said they believe he carried out the attack alone. Turkey's deputy prime minister said he believes the attack was committed in response to Turkey's ground operation against ISIS in Syria. Turkey shares a 500-mile (800-kilometer) border with Syria, making it relatively easy for ISIS fighters and supplies to cross.

In Other News Mariah Carey's botched New Year's Eve performance is turning into an even bigger controversy. Carey's team is blaming Dick Clark Productions, the production company behind the annual "New Year's Rockin' Eve" special on ABC, saying the company "set her up to fail." Dick Clark Productions is fired back saying, "As the premier producer of live television events for nearly 50 years, we pride ourselves on our reputation and long-standing relationships with artists. To suggest that DCP, as producer of music shows including the American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, New Year's Rockin' Eve and Academy of Country Music Awards, would ever intentionally compromise the success of any artist is defamatory, outrageous and frankly absurd."