Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency after a cargo vessel struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing a section to collapse and sending at least seven vehicles into the Patapsco River. Rescue operations are underway, with the Baltimore City Fire Department searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water. A dive team has been deployed, and the incident is being treated as a “developing mass-casualty event,” according to fire department spokesperson Kevin Cartwright.
The collision occurred at approximately 1:30 am, and the vessel appeared to catch fire. The Synergy Marine Group, manager of the Dali container ship, reported that all crew members are accounted for and no injuries have been reported. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
In other news, the UN Security Council has passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the duration of Ramadan, leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire. The resolution, which also calls for the release of hostages, was adopted after the United States abstained, breaking its previous pattern of vetoing such measures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the US for “abandoning its policy” and canceled planned visits by two ministers to Washington.
The US Supreme Court is set to hear a major case on abortion access, focusing on the FDA's decisions to widen availability of the abortion drug mifepristone. The case could affect telehealth prescriptions, which currently account for about 16% of US abortions.
Meanwhile, scientists report that penguins in Antarctica are testing positive for bird flu without showing symptoms, raising concerns about potential spread to vulnerable species. In the US, a new HBO documentary reveals that one in four Americans believe conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’s false claim that the Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.
