Mayday Call from Stricken New Zealand Tanker

Membership Ticker

Monika Bauerlein,
CEO

Dear Reader,

How can journalism bring about accountability and change? That's the burning question on my mind as the midterm elections approach and investigations into Trump intensify. And in "People Power Can Still Win," I unpack it with a change-maker who goes back to MoJo’s early days, share why I'm hopeful, and kick off our always-urgent fall fundraising drive. I hope you'll give it a read, and that you'll support our journalism that exists to make a difference, not a profit, and help us raise the $325,000 we need right now.

How can journalism bring about accountability and change? That's the burning question Mother Jones’ Monika Bauerlein unpacks in "People Power Can Still Win" as the midterms approach, investigations into Trump intensify, and we kick off our fall fundraising drive. Please support our journalism that exists to make a difference, not a profit, and help us raise the $325,000 we need right now.

Credit: © Julia Whitty.

Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

TVNZ reports a full mayday call has gone out from the stricken tanker MV Rena, requesting an immediate helicopter rescue of all crew remaining aboard.

The ship—grounded on a reef off the coast of New Zealand since last Wednesday—is now believed to be breaking up in heavy weather. The Rena carries 1,700 cubic meters/450,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil (see my earlier post). From TVNZ:

‘The ship has spilled between 10 and 50 tonnes of oil so far and more has been seen leaking from the vessel and heading south-west. The barge which is being used to pump oil off the ship was damaged overnight and has returned to the port for repairs. It will sail again once it is fixed and the weather improves.’

Check out this The Guardian slideshow for more images of the worsening spill.