More than 90,000 residents in Georgia are currently sheltering in place following a significant fire at a chemical plant in Conyers, approximately 25 miles southeast of Atlanta. The fire, which erupted due to a malfunctioning sprinkler system, triggered a chemical reaction that released a visible cloud into the atmosphere. Although no injuries have been reported, officials detected chlorine in the air and have advised residents to remain indoors with air conditioning off and windows and doors closed. The chemical haze has spread to Atlanta, prompting air quality monitoring by local authorities.

In the UK, a historic transition in energy production is underway as the country prepares to become the first G7 nation to cease coal-fired electricity generation. The last operational coal plant, Ratcliffe on Soar station, is set to shut down tonight, marking the end of a 142-year era of coal mining that played a crucial role in the industrial revolution. Currently, over half of the UK's electricity is generated from renewable sources, including wind and solar energy, with the remainder sourced from natural gas and nuclear power.

Meanwhile, the death toll from severe flooding and landslides in Nepal has tragically risen to 193 following a weekend of heavy rainfall. The capital city, Kathmandu, has been particularly affected, with residents beginning cleanup efforts as water levels recede. The flooding has disrupted transportation, cutting off the city's three main highways, and schools across Nepal will remain closed for the next three days.

In a significant legal development, a Georgia judge has overturned the state's ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. This law, enacted in 2019 but only coming into effect after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, was deemed unconstitutional by Judge Robert McBurney, who affirmed a woman's right to make her own healthcare choices.

In labor news, the International Longshoremen's Association, representing 45,000 dock workers, has announced a strike set to begin at midnight tonight. This action will affect 36 ports across the East and Gulf Coast, which handle approximately half of all goods shipped in and out of the United States. Union members are advocating for higher wages and a prohibition on the automation of key operations. President Biden has indicated he will not intervene to halt the strike.

On Wall Street, stocks closed moderately higher following comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who expressed confidence in the economy's stability and hinted at potential rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight increase, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also ended the day on a positive note.