ABC World News Tonight Full Broadcast - March 30, 2024

ABC News

30 Mar 202419:45

Summary

TLDRTonight's news covers a spectrum of global and domestic incidents, starting with severe turbulence on a United flight during the holiday travel rush, leading to diverted flights and passenger illness. Efforts are underway to clear wreckage from a recent bridge collapse in Baltimore, as states ramp up measures against home squatters. With holiday travel hitting peak levels, severe weather threatens parts of the U.S., while overseas, aid efforts intensify for Gaza amid famine warnings. In other news, Pope Francis resumes Easter services amidst health concerns, and America confronts the challenge of housing squatters. Also highlighted are a miraculous near-miss involving a saw blade and the young baseball player who overcame cancer to return to the field.

Takeaways

🛫 **Air Travel Chaos:** A United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark was diverted due to severe turbulence, causing motion sickness among passengers as millions travel during the holiday rush.
🌪️ **Severe Weather Alert:** Over 20 million Americans in the west are on alert for potential flooding as a powerful cross-country storm hits, impacting travel and causing hazardous conditions.
🚜 **Bridge Collapse in Baltimore:** Recovery efforts are underway to remove debris from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, with state leaders focusing on recovering the bodies of missing construction workers.
🏙️ **Gaza Aid Efforts:** Amidst ongoing conflict, three ships carrying 400 tons of food set sail for Gaza from Cyprus, while the Biden administration faces criticism for sending weapons to Israel.
🎖️ **Pope Francis's Health:** Pope Francis returns to duty presiding over Easter Sunday services after skipping Good Friday procession due to health concerns.
🏠 **Squatter Crackdown:** New York, Georgia, and Alabama are intensifying efforts to criminalize squatting, following Florida's lead in an attempt to make it easier for homeowners to reclaim their property.
🚨 **Police Officer's Funeral:** Thousands gather to mourn fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed during a routine traffic stop in Queens.
🌊 **Coast Guard Rescue:** The Coast Guard conducts a dramatic rescue of a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the importance of search and rescue operations.
🏈 **Inspirational Return to Baseball:** A young baseball player's return to the field after a four-year battle with a rare blood cancer serves as a reminder to live every day to the fullest.
💰 **Powerball Jackpot:** The Powerball lottery jackpot reaches nearly a billion dollars, sparking excitement and dreams of wealth across the country.
🏀 **College Basketball Update:** The LSU Lady Tigers pull off an upset against UCLA, and Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes continue to dance, keeping their championship hopes alive.

Q & A

What was the main issue with the United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark?
-The United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark encountered severe turbulence, which led to the flight being diverted to Stewart International Airport. Several passengers experienced motion sickness and some reported chest pain.
How has the TSA been affected by the holiday travel rush?
-The TSA has been screening its largest number of passengers of the year so far, with more than 2.7 million people screened on Thursday alone, making it the busiest day of the year.
What is the current situation with the weather in the western United States?
-More than 20 million Americans are on alert for potential flooding as a powerful cross-country storm hits southern California, bringing heavy snow and creating hazardous driving conditions. Winter weather alerts stretch from California to parts of the Rockies.
What is happening in Baltimore regarding the bridge collapse?
-Unprecedented around-the-clock salvage efforts are underway in Baltimore to remove millions of tons of wreckage from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. Officials are bringing in heavy equipment to begin the process of clearing the debris.
What is the current situation in Gaza?
-Efforts are being made to bring aid to Gaza, with three ships loaded with 400 tons of much-needed food setting off from Cyprus. This comes amid dire warnings of famine in the region, with Israel issuing warnings to prevent the delivery of aid.
How is Pope Francis doing ahead of Easter Sunday?
-Pope Francis is preparing for Easter Sunday, returning for services amid renewed concerns about his health. The 87-year-old Pope has faced multiple health issues in recent months and now needs a wheelchair or cane to move around.
What is the new legislation being considered in New York, Georgia, and Alabama regarding housing squatters?
-New York, Georgia, and Alabama are working on legislation to join Florida in criminalizing the act of squatting. The aim is to make it easier for homeowners to get their property back and to criminalize the practice of squatting.
What happened to the man in Oregon who had a close call with a saw blade?
-An Oregon man had a close call when a massive, four-foot-long saw blade rolled violently in his path just behind him as he walked into a convenience store. The blade appeared loose and the incident shook the store.
What was the outcome of the search for the missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico?
-The Coast Guard located the missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico after an exhaustive hours-long search. Crew members rappelled from a helicopter to reach him, and he is expected to recover.
What is the current Powerball lottery jackpot?
-The current Powerball jackpot is $935 million, with no one having matched all six numbers since New Year's Day.
What is the story of Jacob, the young first baseman who returned to his team?
-Jacob, a 17-year-old high school student, returned to play for the El Diente High School Miners after a four-year battle with a rare blood cancer. He underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant from his older brother, and his passion for baseball helped him maintain hope throughout his treatment.

Outlines

00:00

🛫 Air Travel Chaos and Turbulence

The script opens with a recap of significant events, including a turbulent United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark, which was forced to divert due to severe weather. The flight encountered high winds and turbulence, leading to several passengers experiencing motion sickness and chest pain. This incident occurred amidst one of the busiest travel days for the TSA, with numbers surpassing those of the Thanksgiving and winter holiday periods. The script also mentions a bridge collapse in Baltimore and efforts to clear the wreckage, as well as increased vigilance for potential flooding in the west due to a powerful storm system.

05:01

🌪️ Weather Alert and Travel Advisories

The segment focuses on weather-related impacts across the United States. A major storm is bringing flooding and heavy snow to parts of the west, with Southern California under a flood watch and winter alerts stretching from the California mountains to the Rockies. The system is expected to move east and affect the northeast early next week. Additionally, the segment discusses the busy spring break travel season and the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, which is expected to cause delays and limited parking along its path from Texas to Maine.

10:01

🏗️ Bridge Collapse Recovery and Aid Efforts

This part of the script details the ongoing salvage and recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Heavy equipment is being used to remove millions of tons of wreckage, a process complicated by sharp metal, dangerous debris, and electrical wires. The port remains closed, affecting thousands of jobs, and the focus is on recovering the bodies of missing construction workers. The script also covers international aid efforts, with three ships carrying 400 tons of food setting sail for Gaza amid warnings of imminent famine.

15:02

🕊️ Pope Francis' Health and Easter Services

The script discusses Pope Francis' return to service presiding over the Easter Vigil after skipping the Good Friday procession due to health concerns. The 87-year-old Pope, who has faced multiple health issues and uses a wheelchair or cane, delivered a ten-minute homily at the solemn Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican aims to preserve the Pope's health for the weekend's events, including a message of hope and peace for Easter Sunday.

🏠 Squatter Crackdown and Legal Actions

The segment addresses the growing issue of squatters in the U.S. and the legislative actions being taken to address it. Florida has become the first state to criminalize squatting, and other states like New York, Georgia, and Alabama are working on similar legislation. The script highlights the challenges homeowners face when dealing with squatters, as law enforcement often cannot intervene immediately due to the civil nature of the dispute. The segment also introduces Flash Shelton, who refers to himself as the 'squatter hunter,' helping homeowners evict squatters by moving in with them and out-squatting the squatters.

🚨 Emotional Tributes and Daring Rescues

The script covers various emotional and dramatic events, including the gathering of mourners to pay respects to fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed during a routine traffic stop. It also recounts a dramatic rescue in the Gulf of Mexico, where the Coast Guard located and saved a missing kayaker after an hours-long search. Additionally, the script describes a close call for an Oregon man who narrowly avoided being hit by a four-foot-long saw blade that rolled violently into a convenience store.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Severe Turbulence

Severe turbulence refers to abnormal and unexpected fluctuations in an aircraft's movement caused by atmospheric conditions. In the context of the video, a United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark encountered high winds and severe turbulence, leading to the flight being diverted and several passengers experiencing motion sickness and chest pain.

💡TSA Screening

TSA screening refers to the security checks conducted by the Transportation Security Administration at airports in the United States to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. In the video, it is mentioned that the TSA is experiencing its busiest travel day of the year, screening more than 2.7 million people on a single day due to the holiday rush.

💡Bridge Collapse

A bridge collapse is a structural failure where a bridge breaks down, often due to engineering or environmental factors. In the video, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed, resulting in a major rescue and recovery operation. The incident had a significant impact on the local community and economy, as the port was closed, affecting thousands of jobs.

💡Weather Alert

A weather alert is a warning issued by meteorological agencies to inform the public about potential hazardous weather conditions. In the video, more than 20 million Americans are on alert for potential flooding due to a powerful cross-country storm hitting southern California, with winter weather alerts stretching from the California mountains into parts of the Rockies.

💡Cease-fire Talks

Cease-fire talks refer to negotiations between conflicting parties to agree on a temporary or permanent halt to fighting. In the video, it is mentioned that cease-fire talks are set to resume between Hamas and Israel, amidst criticism of the U.S. for continuing to send weapons to Israel as part of a long-standing agreement.

💡Pope Francis

Pope Francis is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State. Known for his focus on social justice and humility, Pope Francis has faced health issues in recent months, which have limited his mobility and required him to use a wheelchair or cane. In the video, it is mentioned that Pope Francis is presiding over the Easter Vigil, a significant religious event in the Christian calendar.

💡Squatters

Squatters are individuals who occupy a property without the legal right to do so, often in vacant or unoccupied buildings. The video discusses the growing issue of squatting in the U.S., with states like New York, Georgia, and Alabama working on legislation to criminalize the act, following Florida's lead.

💡Kayaker Rescue

A kayaker rescue refers to a search and rescue operation for a person who is in distress while kayaking, often due to being lost, injured, or in dangerous environmental conditions. In the video, a dramatic rescue is described where the Coast Guard locates and rescues a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico after an extensive search.

💡Airboat Accident

An airboat accident refers to an incident involving an airboat, a flat-bottomed watercraft that is propelled by an aircraft-type propeller and fan, typically used in shallow waters. In the video, an airboat accident in the Everglades National Park is discussed, where ten people were rescued after the boat flipped over, causing passengers to fall into the water.

💡Close Call

A close call refers to a situation where someone narrowly avoids a dangerous or harmful event. In the video, an Oregon man experiences a close call when a large saw blade comes rolling violently behind him, nearly hitting him as he enters a convenience store.

💡Baseball Player's Return

The return of a baseball player refers to an individual rejoining their team after overcoming personal challenges or health issues. In the video, a young baseball player's return to his team after a four-year battle with a rare blood cancer is highlighted, emphasizing resilience and the importance of living life to the fullest.

Highlights

Several developing stories including a United Jet experiencing severe turbulence and the ongoing efforts to clear wreckage from the bridge collapse in Baltimore.

Millions of travelers hitting the skies and roads amidst the busiest travel day of the year, with the TSA screening over 2.7 million passengers on Thursday.

A flight from Tel Aviv to Newark was diverted due to severe turbulence, with several passengers treated for motion sickness.

Weather expected to have an impact in the West, with over 20 million Americans on alert for potential flooding due to a powerful cross-country storm.

Unprecedented around-the-clock salvage efforts in Baltimore to remove millions of tons of wreckage from the key bridge.

Efforts to bring aid to Gaza, with three ships loaded with 400 tons of food setting off from Cyprus amid warnings of famine.

Pope Francis preparing for Easter Sunday services amid renewed concerns about his health.

A crackdown on housing squatters in New York, Georgia, Alabama, and other states trying to make it easier for homeowners to reclaim their property.

An Oregon man's close call with a runaway saw blade coming too close for comfort.

The young baseball player sharing his message to live every day to the fullest after reaching his field of dreams.

A United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Newark, New Jersey, encountered high winds and turbulence, causing several people to become ill.

The FAA predicting next week to be the busiest of the Spring Break travel season and提醒 for limited parking and delays along the eclipse's path from Texas to Maine.

A major storm bringing flooding and heavy snow in the West, with a flood watch continuing for Southern California and winter alerts stretching from California to the Rockies.

The urgent salvage and recovery efforts in Baltimore, with massive cranes being used to remove wreckage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Cease-fire talks set to resume between Hamas and Israel as President Biden faces criticism for continuing to send billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel.

Pope Francis presiding over the solemn Easter vigil in Rome, after skipping the Way of the Cross procession to preserve his health for the weekend's events.

A growing crisis in America with squatters versus homeowners, prompting some states to crack down and criminalize squatting.

A dramatic rescue in the Gulf of Mexico, with the Coast Guard pulling a lone kayaker to safety after an exhaustive hours-long search.

An emotional day in New York as thousands of mourners gather to pay their final respects to fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop.