At least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured in an attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day. The suspect, a 42-year-old Army veteran, died in a shootout with the police. The investigation is ongoing, with officials looking into the potential involvement of international terrorist group ISIS. Ukraine has halted the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe, refusing to renew an agreement that allowed Russian gas to travel through its territory. This move is part of a broader campaign by Ukraine and its Western allies to undermine Russia's ability to fund its war effort. In Syria, rebels who seized power are facing the challenge of rebuilding the country after more than a decade of civil war.