Lots of interesting and major events happened over Winter break this year. It is important to keep up with the news around the world to keep oneself knowledgeable, relevant and safe. Below is a list of just a few of the main events that occured while Carmel High School was away. This list is an abridged version of the many tragedies, joys, celebrations, people of interest and more that represent the end of the 2024 news cycle. 

Bourbon Street Terror Attack

Overview: This New Year at around 3:15 a.m. Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a truck into the crowded Bourbon Street in New Orleans. During this attack, he managed to kill 14 people and injured around 35 more.

Jabbar was raised in Texas and converted to Islam from Christianity after his father converted. He earned the Global War on Terrorism Medal after he went on tour in Afghanistan. As the time to his attack neared, he started displaying more radicalized thoughts by posting audio recordings online that gave a summary of his own Islamic teachings and opinions.

The FBI released a statement summarizing what they believe his prior actions included traveling to the site of the attack twice to plan out what he would do. According to Lyonel Myrthil, an FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office, Jabbar rode by the site on a bicycle wearing smart glasses capable of recording video. 

According to the FBI, Jabbar committed this act individually, not being involved directly with a terrorist organization. 

The victims of this attack varied from the ages of 18-63 having an assortment of different lives and experiences. There was no certain demographic that Jabbar attacked. The 14 who died: LaTasha Polk, Edward Pettifer, Brandon Taylor, Elliot Wilkinson, Terrence Kennedy, Billy DiMaio, Drew Dauphin, Matthew Tenedorio, Nikyra Dedeaux, Reggie Hunter, Tiger Bech, Nicole Perez, Kareem Badawi and Hubert Gauthreaux. 

The aftermath of the attack has been filled with grief and a desire to understand. Jabbar was shot on the scene as he exited the car. The families of the victims are kept in thoughts and prayers.

Cyber Truck Explosion 

Overview: On New Year’s Day a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas after the driver shot himself. Firefighters who were called to the scene found two semi-automatic handguns, fuel canisters and fireworks inside of the truck. The driver was Matthew Alan Livelsberger, an Army master sergeant based in Germany before being on leave in the United States. After finding a series of notes on Sergeant Livelsberger’s phone, the police concluded that he believed the United States was headed toward “collapse.” One of the quotes specifically stated “This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake-up call. Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives?” The only fatality was Sergeant Livelsberger. 

There is a strong theory that Sergeant Livelsberger’s attack was prompted by PTSD due to one of his notes saying, “Why did I personally do it now? I needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.”

The tragedy came as a shock to many and brought the “why” into question. Both the location and use of the Cybertruck seem pointed in respect to the upcoming Inauguration, with both Trump and Musk being at the center.

Russian v. Ukraine

Overview: In December, Ukraine and Russia performed a prisoner exchange that affected hundreds of war prisoners’ lives. The deal was set up and monitored by the United Arab Emirates. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenksy, states that 189 Ukrainians were able to come home and reunite with their loved ones. This exchange is the latest in a line of 59 exchanges that have taken place since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The prisoners have been held captive for years, some returning home with new illnesses and injuries. There is no official report of the amount of Ukrainian prisoners that Russia still has, but it is believed to be around 8,000.

The prisoner exchange is not the only news coming from this war as Russia claimed the capture of a Ukrainian town during these winter months. Russia has claimed the town of Kurakhove, an eastern front-line town in Ukraine. Russia has performed the raising of multiple flags even though Ukraine has not acknowledged the capture of the town by Russian forces. According to Viktor Trehubov, a Ukrainian spokesperson, Ukrainian forces are still engaging with the Russian military through this experience. This is an important capture as Kurakhove links multiple travel points that will now allow Russia to move to attack from a new direction that could give them more advantage. 

Middle East – UN demands ceasefire 

Overview: This December, the U.N. General Assembly demanded that there be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This demand is not a legal force but rather a reflection of global opinion. This decision was due to the multiple Israeli airstrikes that have affected civilians instead of Hamas members.

According to Israeli officials, they are ready for a ceasefire and are planning to have a ceasefire-hostage agreement in the coming months. Israel has faced criticism from nations on their conduct in Gaza. The ceasefire-hostage agreement is intended to put an end to the war, that began on Oct. of 2023, when Hamas militants stormed through Israel killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 people. There are believed to be around 100 hostages left with some speculated to be dead.