Households in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria were left without heating and hot water on Wednesday after Russia ceased supplying gas through Ukraine, according to local reports.

“There is no heating or hot water,” confirmed an employee of Tirasteploenergo, the local energy company, speaking from Tiraspol, the region’s main city. The employee, who spoke to Reuters by phone, said it was unclear how long the disruption would last.

Gas Supply Halted Amid Transit Deal Expiry

The crisis follows the expiration of a gas transit deal between Russia and Ukraine, which effectively cut off the supply route to Transnistria. This pro-Russian territory, which declared independence from Moldova after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, had been reliant on Russian gas delivered through Ukraine.

A statement from Tirasteploenergo announced that heating services were discontinued at 7 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Essential facilities, including hospitals, were exempted from the cuts.

Residents were urged to adopt measures to conserve heat, such as using electric heaters, gathering family members in one room, and covering windows and balcony doors with blankets or thick curtains. However, the company warned against using gas or electric stoves for heating, citing safety concerns.

Appeal to Moscow and Ongoing Tensions

The local parliament in Transnistria had previously appealed to the Kremlin and Russian lawmakers to negotiate a renewed agreement with Ukraine to ensure continued gas supplies. While Moscow pledged to protect its citizens and stationed troops in the region, no resolution has been announced.

Approximately 1,500 Russian troops are deployed in Transnistria, which has maintained a fragile peace with Moldova since a brief post-Soviet conflict in 1992.

Broader Energy Implications

Until the transit agreement’s expiration, Russia supplied Moldova with around 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually, delivered through Transnistria.

Moldovan authorities have accused Moscow of leveraging the country’s energy dependence to sow instability, a claim Russia denies.

The energy shortage has exacerbated tensions in a region already grappling with geopolitical strains stemming from the war in Ukraine. As temperatures drop in the region, the absence of a reliable heating supply highlights the vulnerability of Transnistria’s dependence on Russian energy and the precariousness of its position amid regional disputes.

Officials have not provided a timeline for restoring gas supplies, leaving residents uncertain as they face the winter months.

A pickup truck plowed through a crowded New Year’s celebration in New Orleans early Wednesday morning, killing 10 people and injuring 30 others, according to local authorities.

The incident unfolded on Bourbon Street, a globally renowned destination for festive gatherings, as revelers celebrated the start of 2025. The area was bustling with activity, with many preparing to attend the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game at the nearby Superdome later in the day.

Chaos and Carnage

“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and the damage that he did,” said Police Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick, describing the driver’s actions.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly killed during a firefight with police. Law enforcement sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the details to the Associated Press.

NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness department, reported that the injured were taken to five local hospitals for treatment. Among the wounded was a police officer, though their condition was not immediately disclosed.

Conflicting Reports on Motive

New Orleans Mayor referred to the attack as a “terrorist” act during an initial briefing, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation later stated that the incident was “not a terrorist event.”

Despite this, FBI officials acknowledged that they were investigating a possible explosive device found at the scene. No further information on the suspected motive was immediately available, and authorities have not clarified if there is an ongoing threat to public safety.

Community Reeling

The attack shocked a city known for its vibrant culture and celebratory spirit. Bourbon Street, a historic hub for nightlife and tourism, was packed with locals and visitors alike when the truck barreled through the crowd.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people scrambled to avoid the vehicle. Emergency responders quickly mobilized, but the scope of the injuries underscored the devastating impact of the incident.

Investigation Ongoing

As law enforcement continues to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, questions remain about the driver’s intent and any potential warning signs.

The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over what was meant to be a joyous celebration. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

The city’s residents and visitors are now grappling with the aftermath of a violent act that has left many mourning and a community seeking answers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its call for China to share critical data on the origins of COVID-19, marking five years since the pandemic’s first known cases emerged in Wuhan.

On December 31, 2019, the WHO’s China office reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, later identified as a novel coronavirus. Despite a lockdown imposed on the city of 11 million in January 2020, the virus had already spread globally, setting off a pandemic that claimed over seven million lives, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and devastated economies.

While much of the world has moved beyond pandemic-era restrictions, the origins of the virus remain an unresolved mystery. The lack of clarity has fueled scientific debate and geopolitical tension, with experts criticizing China for withholding crucial data.

“Understanding the origins of COVID-19 is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO said in a statement on Monday. “Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”

China has repeatedly defended its handling of the pandemic and the transparency of its data. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, stated Tuesday that China has actively supported global efforts to trace the virus’s origins and rejected accusations of political manipulation.

“China has shared the most data and research results on COVID-19 origin tracing and has made the greatest contribution to global research,” Mao asserted.

The origins of the virus remain hotly debated. Many scientists support the theory of a natural spillover, suggesting the virus jumped from infected animals to humans, possibly at Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market. However, some researchers endorse the lab-leak hypothesis, which posits the virus may have accidentally escaped from a research facility near the market.

Tensions surrounding the investigation have persisted since the pandemic’s early days. Western nations, including the United States, have accused China of withholding vital information, allegations Beijing denies. WHO officials have also criticized China for limiting access to data, with one official in 2023 calling the lack of disclosure “simply inexcusable.”

In 2023, WHO gained access to genetic sequences from samples collected at the Huanan market in early 2020. These sequences, later analyzed in the journal Cell, revealed the presence of coronavirus-susceptible animals in a specific market section but did not confirm direct animal-to-human transmission.

Reflecting on the pandemic’s impact, the WHO called for renewed commitment to learning from COVID-19. “As we mark this milestone, let’s honor lives lost, support those suffering from long COVID, and express gratitude to health workers who sacrificed so much,” the statement read.