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Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked

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BALTIMORE — The massive container ship that caused the deadly collapse of a Baltimore bridge had apparent electrical problems before leaving port but left anyway, according to someone familiar with the situation, hours after the FBI announced that it was investigating whether any laws had been broken.

The Dali left Baltimore’s dock early on March 26, packed with cargo bound for Sri Lanka, when it collided with one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s supports, causing the bridge to fall into the Patapsco River and killing six roadwork crew members. Three of their bodies were recovered.

According to someone familiar with the circumstances, the Dali had clear electrical faults before leaving the port. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss, stated that alarms went out on the ship’s refrigerated containers while it was still stopped in Baltimore, signaling an inconsistent power supply.

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Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

According to the source, the ship’s crew was aware of the difficulties and stated that they would be rectified.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s probe will include determining whether the ship had power issues before embarking on its journey.

Last Monday, Board Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the probe focuses on the ship’s electrical system in general. Videos of the ship’s lights turning off and then coming back on show that there were power issues just before the accident.

Homendy stated that the information obtained from the vessel’s voyage data recorder is rudimentary, “so that information in the engine room will help us tremendously.”

According to a third source acquainted with the situation, the FBI is initiating a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse, focusing on the circumstances leading up to it and whether all federal laws were followed. The individual was not authorized to disclose details of the inquiry publicly and talked with the AP on the condition of anonymity.

According to a statement, FBI agents were aboard the cargo ship on Monday carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activities. The Washington Post was the first to report on the investigation, and the statement made no further explanations or comments.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Scott announced a cooperation with two law firms on Monday to “launch legal action to hold the wrongdoers responsible” and limit harm to Baltimore residents. He said the city must act promptly to safeguard its interests.

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Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

Scott stated that the city “will take decisive action to hold accountable all entities responsible for the Key Bridge tragedy,” including the owner, operator, and manufacturer of the cargo ship Dali. The ship began its journey approximately a half-hour before losing power and straying off course.

The Dali is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., both of which are from Singapore. Maersk, the Danish shipping firm, chartered the Dali.

Synergy and Grace Ocean filed a court petition shortly after the collapse to restrict their legal exposure – a standard practice in situations involving US maritime law. Their joint complaint attempts to limit the firms’ liability to approximately $43.6 million. It estimates that the vessel is worth up to $90 million and owes more than $1.1 million in freight income. The estimate excludes two significant expenses: at least $28 million in repair charges and $19.5 million in salvage costs.

“Due to the gravity of the incident, various government agencies are conducting investigations, and we are fully cooperating,” Synergy spokesperson Darrell Wilson said in a statement Monday. “Out of respect for these investigations and any future legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The firms filed their petition using a provision of an 1851 maritime statute that permits them to restrict their obligation to the worth of the vessel’s remnants following a tragedy.

Attorneys representing some of the deceased and a worker who survived the fall claimed Monday that the ship’s owners and managers are using an “archaic law” to safeguard their assets.

“Imagine telling that to a grieving family…” “While they’re planning a funeral, the owner of the boat is in court,” attorney L. Chris Stewart said at a news conference in Baltimore.

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Ship That Caused Bridge Collapse Had Apparent Electrical Issues While Still Docked, AP Source Says

The road crew had “absolutely zero warning” in the moments before the collapse, Stewart said, even though a last-minute mayday call from the ship’s pilot allowed adjacent police officers to block vehicles from attempting to cross the bridge. Three workers’ bodies remain missing as crews continue the risky operation of extracting big slabs of steel from the river.

Julio Cervantes, who survived plunging from the bridge, narrowly avoided drowning by rolling down the window of his work vehicle and struggling through the chilly water despite his inability to swim, according to attorneys. He clung to the wreckage until he was rescued.

“This was all preventable,” Stewart stated. “That is why we were brought in to investigate and find out what has happened and give these families a voice.”

The probes come days after more than two dozen river barges broke loose and collided with a closed span in Pittsburgh, raising fears about the safety of thousands of bridges around the country.

SOURCE – (AP)

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Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

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Trudeau, Montreal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

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Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

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Baby Gorilla, Calgary Zoo
The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

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Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

  1. Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
  2. Numbers cannot be repeated
  3. Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
  4. Each play buys 3 lines
  5. Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)

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