Midday Roundup: Hundreds trapped after Chinese cruise ship sinks

Chinese shipwreck.Crews in China are frantically trying to rescue cruise-ship passengers trapped underwater in the Yangtze River after the vessel capsized earlier today. Only 15 survivors and five bodies have been recovered so far. The Eastern Star was carrying 458 passengers. The captain is among the survivors and has told investigators the ship was hit by a tornado during a bad storm. But an official with China’s meteorological administration said they found no evidence of such a storm, although it was raining heavily at the time of the accident. Cruises up the Yangtze are popular with Chinese and international tourists. The victims of today’s accident are mostly elderly travelers. Rescuers using hammers to bang on the ship’s upturned hull said they heard taps from inside in response.

What security? The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration lost his job yesterday after investigators revealed undercover agents were able to sneak concealed weapons and simulated bombs on about 70 occasions. The findings were made public as part of a report on problems with the agency charged with keeping America’s ports and airports safe. Details of the investigation have not been released, including which airports were involved in the security breaches and when undercover agents conducted the tests. But the agents were able to sneak contraband items through security 95 percent of the time. President Barack Obama has nominated Coast Guard Vice Adm. Pete Neffenger to be the beleaguered agency’s new head, pending Senate confirmation.

Still contained. Qatar has agreed to extend the travel ban on the Taliban Five. The United States exchanged the Guantanamo Bay detainees last year for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Army soldier now facing charges of desertion. Qatar took the terrorists and placed them under strict surveillance and a travel ban that would’ve expired yesterday had the emirate not agreed to the extension. Neither the United States nor Qatar have released details of the new agreement. Congress has expressed concern that the five men might use their new freedom to lead attacks against U.S. interests. But the administration sees it differently. “I think the bottom line for us is that they don’t pose a threat to the United States and to our security,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. “So that’s what’s driving the discussions, and we’ll see what comes out of that.” America, Qatar, and Afghanistan are still working out what to do with the Taliban leaders long term.

African attack. An American tourist was mauled to death yesterday at a popular lion sanctuary in South Africa. Officials are investigating what happened, but they say the female lion came through an open window and attacked the woman as she rode in a car through the preserve. The U.S. Embassy has declined to name the woman out of respect for her family. The Lion Park remains open, and the animal involved in the incident will not be euthanized. She has been moved to another facility not open to tourists. Park officials say they warn visitors to keep their windows closed as they drive through the area. Another lion at the park bit an Australian man earlier this year after he stopped his car and got out to take pictures. He survived.

Endangered captives. Saudi-led coalition airstrikes continued to pound Houthi rebel positions in Yemen’s capital yesterday. Those bombing raids could endanger four Americans held captive by the Iranian-backed militants. The Washington Post reports three of the Americans are private-sector employees. The fourth has dual American-Yemeni citizenship. The Pentagon has confirmed the Houthis are holding the Americans and said it’s doing everything it can to free them. The rebels released another American, journalist Casey Coombs, on Monday. He has been taken to nearby Oman to be treated for unspecified injuries.

WORLD Radio’s Abigail Reese and Margaret Tazioli contributed to this report.