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NewsBeat

Cornyn and Paxton compete for Texas Senate in test of Trump’s power

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Cornyn and Paxton compete for Texas Senate in test of Trump's power

PLANO, Texas (AP) — Texans are choosing a Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Tuesday’s runoff election, bringing to a close the extended, bitter and expensive primary where President Donald Trump weighed in late to tip the race in another effort to rid the GOP of leaders less devoted to him.

Trump’s endorsement of state Attorney General Ken Paxton over four-term Sen. John Cornyn gives the challenger a late boost and puts Cornyn at risk of becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history to seek the party’s nod and lose.

That’s despite Cornyn’s campaign and allied groups spending roughly $90 million in advertising since last year, the vast majority of it attacking Paxton.

It’s the latest GOP contest where Trump has sought to punish a Republican he sees as insufficiently loyal. This month, he has successfully backed challengers to incumbents in Louisiana, Kentucky and Indiana, a sign of his enduring influence among primary voters.

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Paxton’s campaign and a pro-Paxton super PAC began airing ads promoting the endorsement within 24 hours of Trump’s announcement. Cornyn acknowledged Trump’s move would have an impact but said he wasn’t giving up.

“I know who gets to choose our senators, and it’s the people of Texas,” he said hours after the endorsement.

The winner will run in November against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

Tuesday’s runoffs also will decide Democratic U.S. House nominees for districts in Dallas and Houston that overwhelmingly support Democrats, and a San Antonio-area seat the party hopes to flip.

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The primary has been long, bitter and costly

Cornyn led Paxton in the March primary but failed to win a majority in the three-way contest that also included U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, who finished in a distant third.

That was after Cornyn’s campaign and allied groups waged a monthslong ad campaign, mostly attacking Paxton for ethical and personal questions. The two-term attorney general was acquitted in a 2023 impeachment trial when allegations of extramarital affairs surfaced. Last year, Paxton’s wife filed for divorce, citing “biblical grounds.”

The alliance of pro-Cornyn groups have continued its attack, outspending Paxton’s campaign and two allied super PACs $16.5 million to $5.9 million since March 3, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.

Trump promised to endorse immediately after the primary, asking the unchosen candidate to withdraw. But he didn’t act until after early voting began on May 18.

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“Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter, and knows how to win,” Trump wrote in a social media post endorsing him. “Our Country needs Fighters, and also Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness.”

Pro-Cornyn groups lately have been airing ads criticizing the attorney general office’s handling of a Waco sex abuse case. Pro-Paxton groups had seized on Cornyn’s awkward relationship with Trump.

Trump snubs Cornyn amid retribution campaign

The negative tenor could diminish turnout in an election already complicated by coming a day after Memorial Day, Texas Republican strategist Tyler Norris said. About 2 million of Texas’ 18.7 million voters participated in the GOP primary.

The dynamic could favor Paxton, whose support draws from more of the most loyal Trump base in Texas, said Norris, who isn’t affiliated with either campaign.

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“The defining battle lines are based around hyper-negative messaging, which dampens turnout to begin with,” he said. “So who is going to show up is the hardest of the hard core.”

Trump in his endorsement also poked at Cornyn, as he has done with other Republicans who are not in lockstep with the president.

He blasted Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy as “a Disloyal Disaster” on May 16, before Cassidy lost a GOP primary for the office he has held since 2015. The two-term senator had voted to convict Trump after his 2021 impeachment trial over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump backed U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who advanced to a runoff with John Fleming, the state treasurer. Cassidy finished well behind them.

Last week, Trump celebrated as Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a critic of the Trump administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, lost his primary to Ed Gallrein. Trump called Massie “the worst congressman in the history of our country.”

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In endorsing Paxton, Trump said Cornyn “was not supportive of me when times were tough” and that “John was very late in backing me.”

Cornyn suggested in 2023 that Trump could not win the presidency again in 2024 and that his “time has passed him by.” He also was an early critic of Trump’s plan for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico — a project he now supports.

Senate GOP leaders backed Cornyn, saying he would be stronger in the general election. Some GOP strategists have argued a Paxton nomination would cost millions of dollars more to promote in the fall, when money could be spent defending Republican seats in more competitive states. Democrats need to gain a net of four seats to take the majority.

Democrats also will choose US House nominees

Newly elected Rep. Christian Menefee and veteran Rep. Al Green are vying for the party nod in Texas’ 18th District, which the Republican-led Texas Legislature redrew last year to help the GOP. The new map led to a contest between incumbents and marks the end of a dizzying series of elections in the Houston area. Menefee was elected in a special runoff in January to the seat that had been held by the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025.

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Menefee finished narrowly ahead of Green in the March 3 primary but didn’t win a majority to avoid the runoff.

Former Rep. Colin Allred and U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson are competing in the Dallas-area 33rd District. Johnson was elected to the seat in 2024, the year Allred lost his U.S. Senate challenge to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred was running for Senate again this cycle but dropped his bid and instead is looking to return to the House.

Near San Antonio, Democratic leaders are trying to prevent Maureen Galindo, who has expressed antisemitic views, from winning the party’s runoff with Johnny Garcia. While Texas lawmakers redrew the 35th District to help Republicans, Democrats view it as within reach and don’t want Galindo’s past comments to impede them.

___

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Bedayn reported from Austin, Texas.

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Morrisons recall warning as glass found in cashew nuts

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Morrisons recall warning as glass found in cashew nuts

The supermarket chain has recalled the Morrisons Savers Cashews as a result of the possible presence of glass.

The affected items come in packs of 125g and have best before dates of August 9, September 6, September 26, September 28 and October 9.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “Morrisons is recalling the above product.

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“Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling it. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought it.

“If you have bought the above product do not consume it. Instead, return it to the nearest store for a full refund.”

A Morrisons spokesman added: “No other products are affected by this issue.

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“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and assure customers of our continuing commitment to the highest standard of product quality and safety.”

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.

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This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Morrisons introducing new ‘£13 rule’

Morrisons will increase staff pay above the national living wage as part of a three-stage rise agreed with union Usdaw.

The supermarket chain secured a 91.87 per cent vote in favour of the increase, which will lift shop assistant pay from the current £12.71 an hour to £13 in July and £13.11 by October.

The rises follow talks with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), and come after the introduction of the new National Living Wage in April.

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Jodie Keating, group people director at Morrisons, said: “We’re pleased that we can now implement the pay proposal and increase pay for our colleagues to reward them for the contribution they make to our business.

“I would like to thank all our colleagues for everything they continue to do for Morrisons.”

The first rise will see pay move to £12.81, followed by a rise to £13 on July 20.

A final increase to £13.11 will be implemented from October 26.

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Other staff covered by the agreement will also see pay rises, with a 19p increase in July and a further 11p in October.

Morrisons has confirmed that all eligible hourly paid employees will also receive a one-off payment of between £25 and £175, depending on contracted hours.

The National Living Wage, which increased to £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over on April 1, represented a 50p (4.1 per cent) rise from the previous rate.

This move aligns Morrisons with other major retailers including Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, and Primark, who have all raised their hourly rates in what has become known as the “£13 rule”.

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One of UK’s busiest rail lines shut for two weeks with 200 trains a day now out of service

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Daily Mirror

Network Rail is carrying out a major upgrade, which will undoubtedly cause headaches for passengers who live between two key UK cities

Significant works on a four-mile tunnel will temporarily shut down a stretch of railway line between two cities. Rail passengers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance as Network Rail undertakes a major upgrade at the Severn Tunnel from 23 May until 9 June.

The rail network operator confirmed that its work alongside contractor ARQ would overhaul the tunnel’s overhead power system to better withstand the tunnel’s “harsh, corrosive” environment. Nia Watkins, Regional Asset Manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders route, said: “Running beneath the Severn Estuary, the 4.35-mile Severn Tunnel is one of the most challenging environments on the UK rail network.”

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She stressed that carrying out the works was vital to sustaining safe, dependable services and securing the tunnel’s long-term future.

Ms Watkins added: “This complex and highly coordinated upgrade is being delivered at a world-first scale across the tunnel’s full length – making the railway more resilient and reducing the risk of future disruption for passengers and freight.”

Network Rail describes the tunnel as one of the most demanding environments on Britain’s railways, with moisture and saltwater accelerating the deterioration of equipment, reports the Express.

Network Rail noted that since electrification, the overhead power system has been susceptible to electrical wear and corrosion.

Its Wales and Borders team is deploying a single 7km copper contact wire supported by modified bridge arms to “eliminate” corrosion. According to Network Rail, the new system will run the entire length of the tunnel in a “world-first” at this scale.

This encompasses 838 bridge arms to support the electrical cables, a total of 9,000 metres of replaced wiring and additional infrastructure improvements.

Alongside the tunnel works, Network Rail confirmed it is also replacing track serving the new Bristol Brabazon station.

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Network Rail stated the station will mark the return of passenger services on the Henbury and Portishead lines for the first time since 1964.

The works mean the railway between Newport and Bristol Parkway will temporarily close.

Services will not operate between Newport and Bristol Parkway from Saturday, May 23 until the end of Monday, June 8. The line is expected to reopen on the morning of Tuesday, June 9.

Replacement bus services will run between Newport and Bristol Parkway while some trains will travel between London and South Wales via Gloucester, except on Sunday, May 24. There will be a reduced service between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway.

Trains will not be diverted via Gloucester on May 24, with services running solely between Paddington and Bristol Parkway as well as Newport and Swansea.

Marcus Deegan, GWR’s Station Manager at Bristol Parkway, said: “We know bus replacement services are a significant ask of passengers and we’re genuinely grateful for their patience while this vital work is completed.

“This investment to improve and maintain the Severn Tunnel will make a real difference to the reliability and resilience of the route for many years ahead.

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“The wider work taking place will also allow us to introduce train services to Bristol Brabazon later this year, and in time to Portishead and Pill – reconnecting people to rail and providing a vital economic catalyst across the area.”

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New chief of Hamas’ military wing killed in Gaza City strikes, Israel says

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New chief of Hamas' military wing killed in Gaza City strikes, Israel says

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet said: “As part of the joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet to eliminate the terrorist Muhammad Odeh, several buildings in the heart of Gaza City that served as a hideout for him were attacked, after months of intelligence surveillance in order to track his movements and the movements of his assistants in the organisation.”

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NBA play-offs: Oklahoma City Thunder beat San Antonio Spurs to move one win from Finals

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start to score 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 to move within one win of a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first four shots of game five of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, but recovered with five consecutive points to help the Thunder overturn an early eight-point deficit.

The hosts took an 11-point lead into half-time before scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to pull away and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Two-time MVP Gilgeous-Alexander made only seven of his 19 shots from the field but succeeded with 16 out of 17 from the free-throw line.

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“If it was four or five of me out there, we would’ve been down 20 after the first quarter,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “[I] probably should never start like that again.”

Jared McCain came into the team for Cason Wallace, and after a tricky start scored 18 points after the break to finish with 20.

Alex Caruso bounced back from a scoreless night in game four with 22 points.

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Energy price cap set for major rise from July as millions face higher bills

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Boy, 15, arrested for attempted murder after armed attack on school teacher

The energy price cap will rise by 13 per cent from 1 July for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales, Ofgem has said.

Based on the energy use of a typical domestic household, from July the price cap will rise by £18 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas if this level was sustained for a year.

The current price cap for a typical household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity is £1,641.

This is a breaking story – more follows…

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How to watch Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano: TV channel and live stream for Conference League final tonight

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How to watch Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano: TV channel and live stream for Conference League final tonight

The Eagles came into the competition as favourites after being demoted from the Europa League last summer.

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Iran war live: Tehran fumes Strait of Hormuz strikes by US ‘violated ceasefire’

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Daily Mirror

Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran are “proceeding nicely” as he urged Muslim nations to join the Abraham Accords.

The US president said it will only be a great deal for all or, no deal at all – with the latter meaning a return “to the battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before”.

Trump added it should be mandatory for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain to sign onto the Abraham Accords, given “all the work done by the US to try and pull this very complex puzzle together”.

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“It may be possible that one or two have a reason for not doing so, and that will be accepted, but most should be ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it would, otherwise, be,” he added.

“I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition.”

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Meet the woman behind Northern Ireland’s only reptile and exotic animal rescue

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Belfast Live

“Nothing makes me happier and more fulfilled than watching the animals head off to their new homes happy and healthy”

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Meet the woman saving and campaigning for reptiles and exotic animals needing a home in Northern Ireland.

Lindsey Adams has been nominated for ‘Hooman’ Hero of the Year at the National Pet Awards 2026, taking place in Belfast next month, for her work at Northern Ireland Exotic Sanctuary.

Founded in 2021, the rescue is dedicated to providing a safe haven for reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates in need, with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals while educating the public about their needs.

READ MORE: RNLI warning to swimmers after person carried offshore in Co DownREAD MORE: EastEnders star’s new series puts spotlight on ‘amazing’ care stories across Northern Ireland

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With a passion for animals starting when she was just a child, she could never have imagined that in a few short years, she would have saved the lives of countless exotic animals across the country.

Lindsey said: “Growing up I loved watching shows like David Attenborough’s ‘Life’; Mark O’Shea’s ‘O’Shea’s Big Adventure’ and Steve Irwin’s ‘The Crocodile Hunter’, so there’s always been a curiosity for the cold-blooded.

“It was only in adult life that I was able to keep reptiles of my own, rather than admiring others and it all bloomed from my very first pet snake.

“While researching before getting her, I noticed just how many reptiles were constantly being passed from home to home, and that just didn’t sit right with me how little their lives were being valued and how their condition and welfare seemed to drop with every resale.”

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What started in a spare bedroom with a couple of rehomed animals has grown into a space that can house upto 100 animals at at time and runs close to or at full capacity for most of the year.

“Looking back, it’s clear now just how much demand there was but owners had no other option than to pass them around on free sites as no rescue for reptiles existed until we came along,” she explained.

“I generally see the rescue as a very positive place – as somewhere that is a temporary stop gap for reptiles coming from one home to another, getting the care, rehabilitation and socialisation they may need to fully prepare them.

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“I see it as a place for those who have been neglected to heal and decompress and put their history behind them; and for the animals that stay with us permanently, I try to give them the best life possible and make adaptations as needed for their medical conditions or disabilities.

“While it is very upsetting at times to see animals coming in injured and neglected, I remind myself that it stops with us and will never be allowed to happen to them again.”

Northern Ireland Exotic Sanctuary receives no government funding and has no paid staff, relying on a team of fantastic volunteers, who help to do everything from cleaning, feeding and socialising animals, to attending fundraising events and helping to plan future fundraisers.

Lindsey runs the rescue on top of working a full-time job, getting up as early as 5.30am to walk her pets before heading into work and managing the sanctuary on her breaks and after she finishes for the day.

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She continued: “My family and friends are also incredibly supportive and understanding of the work I do and my sometimes unavoidable absences from events or meet-ups.

“It’s important for everyone in rescue to have a support network whether internally or working together with other rescues.”

At present, Lindsey and the team are looking after tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards and invertebrates, ranging in size from a little Western Hognose snake at 10/11 inches, to a 10 and a half foot common boa and everything in between.

A big part of their work is not only rescuing but also educating on the ownership of reptiles and exotic animals.

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“We are lucky to have a lot of adopters that would rather rescue than buy, but we still have a lot of work to do to convince others that rescue animals aren’t ‘second hand’ or damaged animals,” she explained.

“Exotic animals, in particular reptiles, I do believe are often overlooked, despite being the third largest group of pets after cats and dogs.

“I feel that education should be a huge part of any rescue’s ethos, but particularly in exotics. A large amount of the neglect we see is purely accidental and as a result of the previous owner’s poor knowledge.

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“If I can demonstrate or teach proper care and husbandry, I hope that it will help improve the lives of these people’s animals and reduce the potential for suffering.

“I know I will never be able to educate everyone, but if I can make a difference to even one animal and person’s life, then it’s worth the effort for me. Research into care and keeping has changed so much over the last 20-plus years, and there is so much misinformation online that it is easy to get confused or believe the wrong thing, especially as a beginner.”

Lindsey launched an education programme aimed at the younger generation earlier this year to try to “break the stigma around reptiles and invertebrates as gross and scary”.

She added: “I feel if kids have positive experiences when young, that will help influence an attitude change in future generations.”

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Starting off with a dream to make a difference has grown into a community and space that she is so proud of and she is continuously looking ahead to see how she can change perspectives on these pets across the country for the better.

“Nothing makes me happier and more fulfilled than watching the animals head off to their new homes happy and healthy, and receiving updates from those homes down the line makes the tough days that little brighter.

“I think as well, the more I have achieved, the more determined it has made me to continue to grow and develop the rescue as an organisation, and I’m already planning for 2027 and beyond.

“The rescue for me is a lifelong commitment and has become so ingrained in my life that I cannot imagine it not being around or my not being a part of it.”

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Find out more about Northern Ireland Exotic Sanctuary and their work here

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

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Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Wednesday, May 27)

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Wales Online

Hello, and welcome to WalesOnline’s live blog for Wednesday, May 27. We’ll be bringing you all of the latest news from across Wales – whether you’re on the move, at home or at work – as well as the latest traffic and travel.

We’ll also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas.

Contribute to the live blog by posting your comments below, or tweet us @WalesOnline to share the news that’s breaking in your area. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

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Chemical tank implodes at Washington mill, killing 1 and leaving 9 missing

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Chemical tank implodes at Washington mill, killing 1 and leaving 9 missing

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — A massive chemical tank holding nearly a million gallons of a highly corrosive liquid imploded and collapsed Tuesday at a Washington paper mill, killing at least one worker and leaving nine others unaccounted for with no hope for rescue, authorities said.

Another nine people were injured, some severely, in the spill at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview. The cause remained unclear.

“At the moment we are not aware of any rescues that are yet to be made,” Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said during a Tuesday evening news conference in which officials repeatedly referred to the situation as a recovery effort.

That effort would not resume until Wednesday morning, when emergency responders planned to work on stabilizing the collapsed tank, which still had about 90,000 gallons (more than 340,000 liters) of a chemical brew known as “white liquor” inside, and then search for the missing, Goldstein said.

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The severity of the injuries ranged from minor to critical, with some suffering burns or inhalation injuries, authorities said. Among those injured was a responding firefighter.

Officials said they would only work during daylight hours because there was a risk of the tank leaking more caustic liquid and potentially collapsing.

“We don’t know until we know, hopefully tomorrow, how we can stabilize the tank. Do we remove the product first? Do we stabilize the tank first or the vice versa?” Goldstein said.

Authorities said there was no threat to the public.

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Community waits for more information

At a community vigil Tuesday night, dozens gathered at a local park to pray, light candles and embrace teary-eyed loved ones.

Crystal Moldenhauer, a Longview resident who served on the school board, said she has friends who work at the plant and remained unaccounted for. She described the stress of the day as people called and texted each other trying to figure out what happened.

“We’re all still waiting for answers,” she said. “There’s families that have been torn apart, and we don’t know why.”

Two upset parents who said their two sons worked at the plant interjected at the end of the news conference, saying they hadn’t been contacted. While officials including Gov. Bob Ferguson, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez addressed those gathered, no one from the company spoke at the news conference.

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Some people waited at the company’s visitor entrance earlier Tuesday, seeking information about loved ones. They declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter. At a nearby union hall that was serving as a family assistance center, three women shared a tearful embrace before heading inside. Others coming and going were also in tears.

Facility is central to the community

The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant along the Columbia River in Longview, a city of about 38,000 that has had a relationship with the paper and lumber industries since its founding by a Kansas City timber baron in the 1920s.

The facility, which employs about 1,000 people and dates to 1953, makes material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons and other goods. It is located in an industrial zone shared by other timber, paper and chemical businesses, and it remains central to the community.

“The people who are responders here have friends and relatives that work on site,” Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein noted. “It is something that is impactful, and we have support networks to support the workers as well as the emergency responders.”

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Officials initially reported that the tank had a capacity of 80,000 gallons (303,000 liters), but later revised that number to say it was holding about 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of the “white liquor.” That’s nearly enough to fill a typical Olympic-sized swimming pool one and a half times. The liquid, which consists mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, is used with heat to break down wood to make kraft paper, a durable material used in packaging, shopping bags and other products.

Cause is not yet known

It was too early to determine the cause of the implosion, Goldstein said.

Following the tank’s rupture, the white liquor spilled into a drainage ditch, said Brittny Goodsell, a state Ecology Department spokesperson. The department sent a team to evaluate the impacts, Goodsell said.

“I know there’s a lot of questions about how all of this happened and I want to assure you that we will all continue to pressure to get answers to those questions,” Murray said during the Tuesday evening news conference. “This community deserves that.”

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The implosion came as thousands of residents of Southern California remained evacuated Tuesday due to a damaged chemical tank at an aerospace plant. All evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday night.

Just over 40 people died between January 2021 and mid-October 2023 as a result of hazardous chemical incidents, according to a paper released by a network of environmental justice organizations in late 2023.

Previous health and safety violations

Safety complaints were filed against Nippon Dynawave on March 4 and May 6. The state’s labor and industries department said on X that both are unrelated to the current situation and remain open. The former was an anonymous complaint about a valve on an aqua ammonia clarifier tank, according to the department, which noted that “it was not the tank that imploded.” The other was opened about a sinkhole created by a drain that failed, according to the department.

Nippon Dynawave, a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Paper Group, has been fined a total of $3,400 for three separate health and safety violations found by Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors since the start of 2021, according to the department’s online database.

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In one inspection, the company was cited because face coverings were not worn by every employee when required. In another, the inspector determined that an employee was exposed to the risk of falling while working on a platform more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) off the ground.

In the third incident, the department determined that equipment involved in a work-related accident — an amputated finger — was moved from its original position before the state’s investigation into the accident was complete.

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Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Associated Press reporters Gene Johnson and Hallie Golden in Seattle and Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed.

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