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.

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.

Azerbaijan Airlines has attributed the deadly crash of its Embraer jet in Kazakhstan on December 25 to “physical and technical external interference,” according to preliminary investigations. The crash claimed 38 lives and left 29 survivors when the plane went down just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) short of the runway at Aktau airport, engulfed in flames.

The ill-fated flight initially attempted to land at Grozny airport in southern Russia but was diverted across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan due to adverse conditions. Witnesses near Grozny reported an explosion before the plane’s diversion.

Russia’s civil aviation agency chief, Dmitry Yadrov, stated on Friday that Grozny was under a “very complicated” situation. He cited ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Grozny and Vladikavkaz, prompting the implementation of a closed-skies protocol, known as the “Carpet plan.” The region also experienced dense fog, complicating aviation operations further.

Azerbaijan Airlines has refrained from explicitly accusing Russia of involvement, likely to avoid diplomatic tensions. However, aviation experts and Azerbaijani media suggest the crash may have been caused by shrapnel from a Russian air-defense missile explosion.

“Missile fragments could have damaged the plane’s hydraulic system, which is critical for control,” explained Tahir Agaguliev, a veteran Azerbaijani pilot, in a local media interview.

Survivors of the crash have supported claims of external interference. Flight attendant Zulfuqar Asadov described the moments of impact, recalling, “The plane was hit by some kind of external strike, causing panic among passengers. While we were trying to calm them, another strike occurred, injuring my arm.”