The first month of the new decade is finally drawing to a close, and in 2020 more than ever, it seems as if the first couple of weeks of the year have been a wild ride. From impending wars to terrible tragedies, here’s a run-down of the major happenings in our community and around the world in the month of January.

One of the first major happenings of the new year was the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on January 3rd. This power move, carried out by President Trump, sent shock waves through the entire world. The assassination led to serious discussions around the world about the possible repercussions and lasting impacts of the action. However, the event also sparked lots of talk about the possibility of a World War Three, which quickly caught on as an internet trend. World War Three memes and jokes were prevalent on nearly every social media platform, including Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. On a more serious note, the conversation about America’s role in global policy is more relevant than ever as President Trump’s impeachment trial marches on and as presidential elections loom on the horizon in the fall. 

Another huge global matter is the sudden appearance of the coronavirus. The first couple of cases of this disease were reported in China, but since then, the disease has spread around the world. Cases of the virus, which has caused an estimated 171 deaths worldwide, are now even being reported in the USA. While the death toll does not appear staggering by any means, the virus is known to spread quickly and has a relatively high mortality rate. Furthermore, there is no vaccine or cure for the sickness. Some researchers have posited that if no cure is found, the virus could kill upwards of 65 million people worldwide, but scientists are working non-stop in an effort to develop ways to treat and prevent the coronavirus.

Sadly, much of the global news so far this decade has also been dominated by sadness. Since the tail end of 2019, wildfires have been ravaging the Australian outback. The fires are still raging and have already destroyed an estimated 46 million acres, as well as killing upwards of one billion animals. The fires are yet another reminder of the massive climate crisis that our planet is currently facing. Another tragic occurrence from recent weeks is the untimely death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. He and his 13-year-old daughter Gina, along with seven other victims, were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas this past weekend. Bryant played professionally for the Lakers for 20 years, and he is considered one of the greatest basketball players in American history. His death was a major loss for the sports world, and he was mourned by athletes and sports fans alike.

Closer to home, the new year marks the start of second semester in the academic world. Coming back to school with a clean slate after a couple of weeks of freedom is both refreshing and daunting. As classes start back up again, students are beginning to fall back into their usual habits and are getting re-accustomed to the workload. However, with exciting times such as spirit week and the Winter Semi-Formal Dance to look forward to, Cooper students are sure to have a great semester ahead of them!