In the early hours of New Year’s Day, celebrations in New Orleans’ iconic French Quarter turned into a scene of horror as a high-speed truck attack claimed the lives of at least 15 people and left dozens more injured.

At around 3:15 a.m. local time, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas resident and U.S. Army veteran, drove a rental truck through a packed crowd at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets. The area, known for its vibrant nightlife, was bustling with young partygoers celebrating the start of 2024.

Surveillance footage captured the truck speeding up Canal Street, turning onto Bourbon Street, and evading a police car before accelerating into the crowd. Witnesses described the horrifying scene, with the sounds of the truck’s engine, screams, and the impact of metal against bodies filling the air.

New Orleans police officers, already on duty for New Year’s Eve festivities, responded within two minutes. Radio chatter from the chaotic aftermath revealed officers performing CPR and calling for additional medical aid as they navigated the mass casualties.

The FBI confirmed that a black flag associated with the Islamic State (IS) group was found in the truck, alongside two suspected improvised explosive devices discovered nearby. Authorities believe Jabbar may not have acted alone and are investigating potential accomplices.

The attack has sparked intense debate over whether more could have been done to protect the crowds. Security barriers designed to prevent vehicle access to Bourbon Street were reportedly in the process of being replaced, leaving gaps in coverage. A single police car had been stationed at the intersection but proved ineffective against the high-speed assault.

New Orleans, renowned for its resilience and vibrant spirit, is grappling with the aftermath of this devastating attack. Questions remain about how to strengthen security without diminishing the city’s unique and open atmosphere.

In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the 59th and one of the largest prisoner swaps since the conflict escalated in February 2022.

The Russian defense ministry reported that 150 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for an equal number of Russian troops. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 189 Ukrainians had returned home, including defenders of key sites such as Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and Snake Island.

Among the Ukrainians released were soldiers, border guards, National Guardsmen, and Navy personnel, many of whom had endured over two-and-a-half years in captivity. Some returned with severe injuries and illnesses.

On the Russian side, the defense ministry stated that the released soldiers had been transported to Belarus, where they received medical attention and contacted their families.

In northern Ukraine, families braved the harsh winter cold outside hospitals, awaiting the return of their loved ones.

Photos shared by Zelensky on social media showed the released Ukrainian soldiers holding yellow-and-blue flags, a symbol of hope amid ongoing turmoil.

While this swap has brought relief to many families, thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity in Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Ukrainian officials estimate that over 8,000 of their citizens are still held as prisoners of war.

Negotiations for further exchanges have become increasingly challenging as Russian forces gain ground on the battlefield. Despite the obstacles, Zelensky reaffirmed his commitment: “We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone.”

South Korea has voted to impeach its acting president Han Duck-soo, deepening the country’s political turmoil just two weeks after President Yoon Suk Yeol was similarly impeached.

The impeachment motion against Han passed with 192 votes, surpassing the 151 required. Han had stepped into the role following Yoon’s impeachment on December 3, after Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law.

Opposition lawmakers accused Han of obstructing efforts to finalize Yoon’s impeachment process. Key among their grievances was Han’s decision to block the appointment of three parliamentary-nominated judges intended to oversee Yoon’s case. With the Constitutional Court currently comprising only six judges instead of the usual nine, opposition parties hoped the additional judges would increase the likelihood of upholding Yoon’s impeachment.

For Yoon’s impeachment to stand, at least six of the court’s judges must support it. However, the current six-member bench means a single dissenting vote could prevent his removal.

Han’s impeachment marks the first time an acting president has been impeached since South Korea’s transition to democracy. Upon notification from parliament, Han will be officially suspended from his duties. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to step in as acting president.

As with Yoon, Han’s impeachment must be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to make a ruling. Han expressed his respect for the assembly’s decision, stating, “I will wait for the Constitutional Court’s decision” and promising to step back from his duties to avoid exacerbating the nation’s political uncertainty.