International
Work begins to remove the rubble of the Baltimore Bridge (USA)
The governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, reported on Saturday that the bridge that collapsed last Tuesday in the city of Baltimore, an accident that left six deaths and billions of millions losses, began to be cut with a view to being safely removed by the cranes.
Moore explained at a press conference, at the police headquarters of the Maryland Transport Authority, that the upper part of the north side of the Francis Scotte Key Bridge, which collapsed when a freighter crashed into the infrastructure, began to be cut by specialized demolition equipment.
“The northern sections of the Key Bridge will be cut and removed, this will eventually allow us to open a temporary restricted channel that will help us carry more boats around the site of the collapse,” he said, and then emphasized that this work will take time.
The divers continue today to carry out underwater evaluations in support of future operations.
On Friday, the largest crane on the east coast of the United States arrived in Baltimore to remove the debris in which the bridge was reduced.
The crane, which can lift up to 1,000 tons in weight, will be one of the seven floating cranes that will participate in the collection of metal and concrete debris from the infrastructure.
These cranes are added to 10 tugboats, nine barges, eight rescue ships and five Coast Guard ships.
Prior to the removal, an evaluation of the debris was carried out, which is considered “fundamental” before removing it from the water to determine the size in which the pieces of the bridge must be cut so that the cranes can load them.
“Once we complete this phase of the work, we can move more towers, barges and small boats to the area to speed up our recovery,” the governor said.
With the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, access to the port of Baltimore, one of the main U.S. in the Atlantic, was blocked, with a transit in 2023 of 80 billion dollars of goods coming from abroad.
It is also the fastest route for the Midwest of the country and the most important for the transport of cars.
Due to the devastating effects on the local economy, this Saturday the government Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the launch of a low-interest loan program for small businesses in Maryland, Washington DC, and Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia counties.
Moore stressed that 377 people are working on the response operations after the accident, – a figure that will increase – that left six Latino immigrant workers dead.
The “Unified Command”, in charge of the work in the area, is working in partnership with Baltimore’s gas and electricity companies to reduce the pressure of an underwater pipe that extends across the width of the channel and passes below the site of the incident, according to the ABC network.
“We will clean up the debris, move the Dali (the boat that caused the accident) and rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the governor promised.
“The Maryland economy and Maryland workers depend on us acting quickly. But not only Maryland is affected. The economy and the workers of the nation depend on us moving forward quickly,” he added.
He also indicated that a “zone prohibited to drones” has been established in the airspace surrounding the collapse. “All drones must be kept away from the place of collapse,” he warned.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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