MEXICO CONDEMS: US TERRORIST ATTACK
The FBI said investigators do not believe the suspect acted alone.
New Orleans Attack: Suspect 'Inspired by ISIS,' Military Veteran
In the early hours of January 1, 2025, a violent attack unfolded in New Orleans when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a rented truck into a crowd of New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. The suspect, an Army veteran, allegedly tried to kill as many people as possible before opening fire on responding police officers, who returned fire and fatally shot him.
Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Texas, had previously served in the Army and was working at Deloitte since 2021. Authorities believe he may not have acted alone, as surveillance footage revealed possible accomplices planting explosives ahead of the attack. Law enforcement is investigating potential links between this incident and other recent attacks, including a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Las Vegas hotel.
The FBI reported that Jabbar posted videos online before the attack, expressing a desire to kill and stating his inspiration from ISIS. Law enforcement is closely examining his connections to terror groups and is following up on leads, including the discovery of explosives near the scene.
Security measures in New Orleans were compromised due to ongoing maintenance, which allowed the truck to bypass barricades and cause maximum harm. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in the area, but authorities quickly neutralized them.
Witnesses described scenes of horror as the truck sped through the crowded street. Some saw bodies scattered on the pavement while others rushed to help the injured. The attack occurred despite New Orleans police being fully staffed for the New Year's festivities.
Authorities, including President Biden, are treating the attack as an act of terrorism. The FBI is leading the investigation, and the Department of Justice has deployed resources to determine the full extent of the conspiracy.
As investigators continue to piece together the details, there are fears of further attacks. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the attacker may have been planning other violent acts, including using the Turo app to rent the truck involved in the incident. ABC NEWS
Las Vegas Police Investigate Possible Link Between Cybertruck Explosion and New Orleans Attack
Authorities are looking into potential connections between a Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas and a deadly truck attack in New Orleans, though no links have been found so far.
On Wednesday, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, injuring seven bystanders and killing the driver. The incident is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Law enforcement officials have not confirmed any connection between this explosion and the deadly truck attack earlier that morning in New Orleans, but they are actively exploring potential links.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police stated that while investigators are aware of the similarities between the incidents, they have not found any definitive ties. The Cybertruck, which was rented in Colorado, was parked in front of the hotel for around 15 to 20 seconds before it exploded. Authorities confirmed that the driver was the only fatality, while the seven injured were treated for minor wounds.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has assisted in the investigation by unlocking the vehicle, which had auto-locked after the explosion, and providing video footage showing the vehicle's route from Colorado to Las Vegas, including stops at charging stations. Investigators discovered a load of fireworks-style mortars, gasoline cans, and camping fuel canisters in the truck's bed, which may have contributed to the blast.
The Cybertruck involved in the Las Vegas explosion was rented through the Turo app, the same platform reportedly used to rent the truck involved in the New Orleans attack. However, Turo has not yet responded to requests for comment from ABC News.
While authorities continue their investigation, Sheriff McMahill assured the public that the explosion was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. He also stated that the Las Vegas suspect likely acted alone and that there is no evidence of anyone helping them.
Tesla's Musk, who has been closely involved with Trump, confirmed that the explosion was caused by a bomb or large fireworks stored in the truck, and not by the vehicle’s lithium battery, as some speculated. However, it’s unclear whether Musk’s statement has been independently verified.
In response to the explosion, Trump’s son, Eric Trump, shared on social media that the hotel was prioritizing the safety and well-being of its guests and staff. The hotel issued a statement thanking the local law enforcement and fire departments for their quick response.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident and instructed his team to provide any necessary federal assistance. ABC NEWS
Trump blames immigration for New Orleans massacre, despite suspect being U.S.-born and former military
Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, condemned the deadly truck attack in New Orleans on Wednesday as an "act of pure evil" and linked it to illegal immigration, a key issue during the 2024 elections.
He wrote on Truth Social, “When I said that the criminals coming here are much worse than those who are born here… it turned out to be true,” before the police revealed the suspect’s identity.
The suspect, identified as Shamsud Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. military member born in Beaumont, Texas, was responsible for the mass vehicular attack and subsequent shooting that killed at least 10 people and injured 35 others. Authorities confirmed that Jabbar had entered the U.S. via Mexico.
Trump also stated that the crime rate in the country is "at a level like never before," offering condolences to the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden faced criticism for his response to the tragedy. His social media post wishing "Happy New Year" was perceived as insensitive by some, especially given the ongoing attack's toll on New Orleans. The White House later stated that Biden met with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell to offer federal support. El Heraldo
Claudia Sheinbaum condemns the attack in New Orleans and expresses solidarity with the victims' families
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack early this morning in New Orleans, which resulted in 10 deaths. She expressed her solidarity, stating, "Our solidarity with the victims' families and with the people of the United States," on X (formerly Twitter).
The FBI identified the suspect of the mass vehicular attack in New Orleans on Wednesday morning as Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar. Authorities reported that an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle. The FBI is investigating possible connections between Jabbar and terrorist organizations. Lopez Doriga
VECTOR SALES AND TRADING DESK
We are the first to analyze the effect of terror on stock markets by terror ideology. Surprisingly, we find that Islamist terror attacks created significant negative abnormal returns in American and European markets, but the stock market effects of other terror attacks were almost nil. For our sample of all 124 terrorist attacks in the US and Europe in the period 1994 to 2018 that caused at least five fatalities or ten injured people, we show that Islamist terror attacks are given significantly more air time (also after controlling for attack characteristics and the media pressure of competing news stories). This, however, explains only part of the differential effect of Islamist attacks on the stock markets.
Terrorism has manifold effects on the economy, the polity, and the society. Of course, it causes death, physical and mental impairments (Arce 2019), and the destruction of capital and infrastructure. Even if the direct costs are small in comparison (Becker and Murphy 2001, Arce 2019), indirect effects may be sizeable. Terrorism reduces private consumption and private investment (Llussá and Tavares 2011), deteriorates consumer sentiment and reduces employment and earnings (Brodeur 2018), undermines government stability (Gassebner et al. 2008), erodes tax revenues, diverts public spending to less productive uses (Cevik and Ricco 2020), reduces social cohesion and trust (Arvanitidis et al. 2016, Bloomberg et al. 2011) and through this channel long-run growth prospects (Bjørnskov 2012). Terror may lead to outward migration especially of high-skilled people (Dreher et al. 2011) 1 and to large reallocations of foreign capital. Abadie and Gardeazabal (2008) estimate that a one standard deviation increase in terrorism risk leads to a decline of the net FDI position of five percent of GDP. All of these negative effects should affect firms’ expected future income streams negatively, which in efficient capital markets should lead to an instantaneous decline in stock prices.
LIVELPOLC: Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to:
Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN)'s sale to Erik, Pete, Jamie Nordstrom and other members of the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. for $24.25 in cash per share.
The Mexican peso depreciated in early trading on Tuesday, losing ground against the US dollar for a fourth consecutive day as 2024 comes to a close.
After closing at 20.66 to the greenback on Monday, the peso fell to 20.90 shortly before 2 p.m. Mexico City time on Tuesday. The tumble marked a 1.16% depreciation, bringing the peso to its weakest position in all of 2024.
The peso’s depreciation on Tuesday came after the currency fell 1.67% against the greenback on Monday.
The expectation that the Bank of Mexico’s benchmark interest rate will continue to decline in 2025 after five cuts this year is one factor contributing to the decline of the peso in recent days. Concern over the potential impact of the second Trump administration on the Mexican economy is another.
United States President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, has pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports on the first day of his second term and keep it in place until Mexico does more to stop the flow of drugs and migrants to the U.S. MEXICO NEWS DAILY
VECTOR GLOBAL
INTERNATIONAL DAY
Motivation and Inspiration Day is celebrated on January 2 each year. The purpose of this day is to encourage people to reflect on their goals, find motivation, and seek inspiration to make positive changes in their lives. It serves as a reminder to stay focused on personal growth, to push through challenges, and to stay inspired in the pursuit of dreams and aspirations.
It's a day for individuals to recharge and set a positive tone for the year ahead, focusing on their potential and the steps they can take to achieve success and happiness. Many people use this day to read motivational quotes, listen to inspiring speakers, or engage in activities that promote a positive mindset.
