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 erupted due to a malfunctioning sprinkler system, which 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 windows and doors closed and air conditioning turned off. The chemical haze has since spread to Atlanta, prompting air quality monitoring by local authorities.

In a notable energy transition, the United Kingdom is set to become the first G7 nation to cease coal-fired electricity generation, with the closure of its last coal plant, Ratcliffe on Soar station, scheduled for tonight. This marks the end of a 142-year era of coal mining in the UK, which played a crucial role in the industrial revolution. Currently, over half of the UK's electricity is sourced from renewables, including wind and solar, with the remainder coming from natural gas and nuclear energy.

In Nepal, the death toll from recent flooding and landslides has tragically risen to 193, following a weekend of heavy rainfall. The capital, Kathmandu, has been severely 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, was put on hold until the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. Judge Robert McBurney emphasized that women in Georgia have the right to make their own healthcare choices without state interference.

Meanwhile, the International Longshoremen's Association, representing 45,000 dock workers, has announced a strike set to begin at midnight, which will affect 36 ports across the East and Gulf Coast. This strike poses a potential disruption to the nation's supply chains, as these ports handle approximately half of all goods shipped in and out of the U.S. The union is advocating for higher wages and a ban on the automation of port operations. President Biden has indicated he will not intervene to prevent the strike.

On Wall Street, stocks closed moderately higher after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the economy remains robust, suggesting potential future 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.