WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
One of the busiest ports in the United States will be offline for some time after a tragic accident took down a key transportation path.
Right before 1:30 a.m., the massive container ship Dail slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The impact destroyed a support pillar, causing the bridge to collapse into the bay. About 45 minutes earlier, the ship issued a mayday after losing power. Despite losing power, the ship drifted and was weighty enough to have such a forceful collision.
Six construction workers who were filling potholes at the time fell into the water, along with 20 vehicles that were traversing the bridge. As of 1:00 p.m. March 26, no fatalities have been reported, but they are sadly expected. Two people were rescued, but eight were missing.
“I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge. Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on X (fka Twitter).
Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge:
“My office is in close communication with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and the Baltimore Fire Department as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration.
“We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety.
“We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.”
The Baltimore port is the key import and export hub of vehicles in the country, while the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carried a portion of Interstate 695, was one of the busiest crossings in the nation.
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 3-26-2024 at 12 p.m.
2024 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2024)
- Total Mass Shootings: 109
- Total Dead: 182
- Total Wounded: 371
- Shootings Per Day: 1.27
- Days Reached in Year 2024 as of March 26: 86
WORLD
UN PASSES CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION
The UN Security Council on March 25 adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza during Ramadan and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
This was the Council’s first explicit call for an immediate ceasefire since Israel began a military offensive in the Gaza Strip following last October’s brutal attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups against settlements in southern Israel, in which over 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.
Israel’s military operation has since reportedly claimed over 32,000 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, displaced about 1.7 million and left massive destruction across the enclave.
The 15-member Security Council has failed in its four previous attempts to adopt a resolution on the Gaza crisis, most recently this past Friday, when permanent members China and Russia vetoed a proposal led by the Unted States (another permanent member, along with France and the UK rounding out the so-called ‘P-5’).
However, the US, which vetoed three earlier Council texts, abstained, allowing the measure to pass. Washington’s change in position reportedly came after intense weekend negotiations among Council members.
The Council’s action comes as Secretary-General António Guterres, on his annual solidarity trip, is visiting the region, where on Saturday, he spoke to reporters from the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, calling the conditions in the enclave “a moral outrage” and urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire so Gaza could be “flooded” with desperately needed aid.
Reacting immediately after the vote, the UN chief said on X (fka Twitter) that the long-awaited resolution must be implemented.
The Council’s failure to do so “would be unforgivable,” he stated.
Resolution 2728 (2024), adopted with 14 votes in favor and one abstention (United States), “demands” an immediate ceasefire for the remainder of Ramadan, respected by all parties and “leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.”
It also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and calls for ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.
The Council further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain.
The Security Council also acknowledged the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, aimed at reaching a cessation of hostilities, releasing the hostages and increasing the provision and distribution of humanitarian aid.
In addition, it reiterated its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, and deplored all attacks against civilians and civilian objects, violence and hostilities against civilians and acts of terrorism.
It further recalled that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international law.
By the resolution’s provisions, the Council emphasized the “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip” and reiterated “its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.”
Upon the US’ abstention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled plans talks with American officials.
UNITED KINGDOM
FUEL PRICE CUT EXTENDED
While US drivers are expected to feel pain at the pump, the country across the pond is feeling the opposite.
Millions of drivers across the UK will continue to be supported at the pumps from March 23 as the extension to the temporary 5p fuel duty cut for petrol and diesel comes into effect – putting yet more money in people’s pockets.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the 12-month extension at the Spring Budget, as well as cancelling the planned inflation increase for 2024/25, saving car drivers around £50 this year and £250 since the 5p cut was introduced – a £13 billion tax cut for motorists overall over three years.
The temporary cut was first introduced in March 2022 to combat high fuel prices after global supply chain issues following the pandemic, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The extension takes effect as the government continues to support motorists with rising costs.
Taken with recent cuts to National Insurance Contributions – to the tune of around £1800 per household – this is putting even more money in people’s pockets. This is only possible because the government stuck to its plan to boost the economy. The economy has now turned a corner and 2024 is set to be the year that Britain bounces back.
In the past year, inflation has more than halved; the economy has recovered more quickly from the pandemic than first thought; and debt is on track to fall. The government is sticking to the plan to deliver the long-term change our country needs to deliver a brighter future for Britain.
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: “We will always stand by UK drivers and today’s fuel duty cut is just one of the ways we are keeping costs down for families. Our plans for a new Pumpwatch will make sure motorists are getting a fair price at the pump.”
The government’s support on fuel duty is already available for longer than in many countries including Germany, France, and the Netherlands. A large proportion of countries which lowered fuel duty rates after the energy crisis have now ended their support.
The existing duty rates on road fuel gases, which are lower than the equivalent rates on diesel, will also continue to 2032, giving the haulage industry greater certainty over future tax rates and supports the decarbonization of the UK transport sector.
March 25’s extension to the 5p cut follows more tax cuts for working people announced at the Spring Budget, putting over £900 a year back into the average worker’s pocket thanks to changes at Autumn Statement and a second Employee National Insurance tax cut from 10% to 8% in April. The Chancellor has also committed to abolishing National Insurance altogether – end the unfairness of a double tax on work.
Meanwhile pubs, breweries and distilleries will benefit from a further freeze to alcohol duty until February 2025 – which will also save consumers money on their favorite tipple. The six-month alcohol duty freeze announced at Autumn Statement will be extended until February 1, 2025, benefitting 38,000 pubs across the UK, while reducing inflation this year.
This news follows the government’s ongoing work to make sure drivers are getting a fair price at the pump by improving competition in the road fuel market.
Proposals for a new Pumpwatch scheme announced earlier this year will see the UK’s 41.2 million drivers get the latest petrol station prices at the click of a button, transforming how the UK shops for its fuel. Under the plans, all fuel stations would be legally required to share live information on their pump prices within 30 minutes of any change in price subject to the outcome of the government’s consultation.
This freely available data will enable tech companies to develop new ways for drivers to search for the cheapest fuel while on-the-go and access to this price comparison technology could see drivers save 3p per liter on fuel, while also helping to drive down prices by reigniting competition.
