AP News Summary at 2:12 a.m. EDT
Source: Eagle-Tribune
Author: Associated Press
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JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's military says it has withdrawn its forces from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, wrapping up a key phase in its ground offensive against the Hamas militant group.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.
Top UN court will hold hearings in a case accusing Germany of facilitating Israel's Gaza conflict
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- The United Nations' top court is hearing a case on Monday that seeks an end of German military and other aid to Israel. Nicaragua claims that Berlin is "facilitating" acts of genocide and breaches of international law in Gaza, where Israel's offensive has left more than 33,000 Palestinians dead. Israel strongly denies its military campaign amounts to breaches of the Genocide Convention. While the case brought by Nicaragua centers on Germany, it indirectly takes aim at Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people. Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Berlin rejects Nicaragua's accusations and has never breached either the genocide convention or international humanitarian law.
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.
Huge crowds await a total solar eclipse in North America. Clouds may spoil the view
MESQUITE, Texas (AP) -- Millions of spectators in the U.S., Mexico and Canada are eagerly anticipating the total solar eclipse. It's expected to be North America's biggest eclipse crowd ever, thanks to the densely populated path. But cloud cover is threatening to spoil the view for many. Clear skies are only promised in northern New England to Canada. During the eclipse, the moon will pass in front of the sun and obscure it for up to 4 1/2 minutes. The rest of North America will see a partial eclipse, weather permitting.
Mozambique ferry accident leaves more than 90 people dead including children, local media say
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Local media reports in Mozambique say that more than 90 people including children have died after a makeshift ferry sank off the country's northern coast. The overcrowded boat was carrying 130 people and many of those who drowned were children. The boat was operating between Lunga and the Island of Mozambique in Nampula province in the north of the country when it capsized, according to TV Diário Nampula, a local online outlet. Rescue efforts continued on Monday, as people were still reportedly missing.
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.
Brazil Supreme Court justice orders investigation of Elon Musk over fake news and obstruction
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- A crusading Brazilian Supreme Court justice is adding Elon Musk to an investigation over the dissemination of fake news and investigating him separately for alleged obstruction. Justice Alexandre de Moraes noted that Musk began a "disinformation campaign" regarding the top court's actions, including saying the social media platform X would cease to comply with the court's orders to block certain accounts. De Moraes in the decision Sunday said the "incitement of crime" and lack of cooperation "disrespect the sovereignty of Brazil." On Saturday, Musk wrote on X that the platform would lift all restrictions on blocked accounts and predicted the move would force the company to shutter its local office. "But principles matter more than profit," he wrote.
Latino voters are coveted by both major parties. They also are a target for election misinformation
PHOENIX (AP) -- Experts expect a surge of misinformation targeting Spanish-speaking voters with a high-stakes presidential election in the fall as candidates vie for support from the rapidly growing number of Latino voters. Much of that is expected to come through audio, whether it's over the radio or through podcasts or social media platforms such as WhatsApp and YouTube. In Arizona, an important presidential swing state with a large Latino population, Radio Campesina is leading an effort to empower Latino voters by discussing election-related misinformation narratives and fact-checking conspiracy theories on air.
South Carolina finishes perfect season with NCAA championship, beating Clark and Iowa 87-75
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina have completed their perfect season, ending Caitlin Clark's historic college career with an 87-75 win over Iowa in the NCAA championship game. The 38-0 Gamecocks became the 10th Division I team to go through a season without a loss. And they accomplished the feat after they lost all five starters from last season's team that lost to Clark's squad in the national semifinals. Clark did all she could to lead the Hawkeyes to their first championship. She scored 30 points, including a championship-record 18 in the first quarter. She will go down as one of the greatest players in NCAA history.