Nation and world news in brief for Monday, April 8, 2024

Trump says he’ll announce his position on abortion Monday, a key moment in the presidential race

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump says he will finally announce Monday when in pregnancy he believes abortions should be banned. Trump for month has refused to stake a position on an issue that could decide the outcome of November’s presidential election. The presumptive Republican nominee wrote on his social media site Sunday night that he plans to issue a statement on “abortion and abortion rights.” The announcement comes as Republican-led states have ushered in a wave of new restrictions following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. The issue has been a major motivator for voters and Democrats have outperformed expectations in elections since.

Israel is pulling some troops from southern Gaza. Now the plan is to clear Hamas from Rafah

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military says it has withdrawn its forces from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, wrapping up a key phase in its ground offensive against the Hamas militant group. But defense officials say troops are merely regrouping as the army prepares to move into Hamas’ last stronghold, Rafah. Rafah shelters some 1.4 million people, and the prospect of an offensive has raised global alarm. The withdrawal brings Israel’s troop presence in the territory to one of the lowest levels since the war began. It is a milestone as Israel and Hamas mark six months of fighting.

Salvage crews have begun removing containers from the ship that collapsed Baltimore’s Key bridge

BALTIMORE (AP) — Salvage crews have begun removing containers from the deck of the cargo ship that crashed into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, an important step toward the full reopening of one of the nation’s main shipping lanes. Officials said Sunday that the removal of the containers from the deck of the Dali would continue this week as weather permits. Crews are progressing toward removing sections of the bridge that lie across the ship’s bow to eventually allow it to move. The Dali has been trapped under mangled steel in the Patapsco River since it slammed into the bridge on March 26, killing six workers.

Attacks on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant significantly increase accident risk, IAEA head says

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the U.N.’s atomic watchdog agency has condemned a Ukrainian drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. He says such attacks “significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident.” Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed at least three direct hits against the plant’s main reactor containment structures took place. He said it was the first such attack since November 2022, when he set out five basic principles to avoid a serious nuclear accident with radiological consequences. Officials at the plant said the site was attacked Sunday by Ukrainian military drones. They said one casualty was reported.

An engine cover on a Southwest Airlines plane rips off, forcing the flight to return to Denver

DENVER (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says a Southwest Airlines jet leaving Denver was forced to land after the engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during takeoff. Southwest Airlines says the Boeing 737 landed safely Sunday and the passengers headed to Houston are being put onto another aircraft. It’s the second mishap this week for the airline. A flight from Texas was canceled Thursday after a report of an engine fire. The FAA is investigating both incidents.

10,000 miles and 352 days later, a UK man reaches his goal of running the length of Africa

RAS ANGELA, Tunisia (AP) — British charity fundraiser Russ Cook has reached the northernmost point of Africa, completing a year-long quest to run the length of the continent. Dozens of supporters cheered Sunday as Cook reached a rocky outcrop in northern Tunisia. The 27-year-old set off from South Africa on April 22, 2023. He has run more than 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) across 16 countries in 352 days. The run has raised more than 690,000 pounds ($870,000) for charities. On crossing the finish line, Cook said he was “a little bit tired.” Cook, who is known on social media by his nickname, Hardest Geezer, said he planned to celebrate with a strawberry daquiri.