Biden and Trump are dominating Super Tuesday races and moving closer to a November rematch
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, are dominating coast-to-coast contests on Super Tuesday. They have all but cemented a November rematch and increased pressure on the former president’s last major rival, Nikki Haley, to leave the Republican race. Biden and Trump have each won California, Texas, Alabama, Colorado, Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Haley’s lone victory was in Vermont. She was watching the results privately with her staff in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. Trump told a raucous crowd at his Mar-a-Lago estate that “They call it Super Tuesday for a reason.” Biden warned that if Trump returns to the White House, all the progress made by his administration is at risk.
The Latest | 2 Democrats advance to runoff in Alabama’s redrawn 2nd District
Two Democrats have advanced to a primary runoff election in Alabama’s newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District. Anthony Daniels and Shomari Figures have emerged from the crowded field. The district is closely watched by Democrats as a potential pickup opportunity in the U.S. House. Because no candidate garnered more than 50% of the vote, the race now advances to a runoff between Daniels and Figures. The runoff is set for April 16. The new district was created after a federal court ordered Alabama redraw its congressional map to better represent Black voters, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. The redrawn district includes parts of Montgomery and Mobile, as well as much of the region’s “Black Belt,” where a majority of the state’s Black population resides.
Economic plans, Taiwan and other things to know from the opening of China’s legislature
BEIJING (AP) — China’s Premier Li Qiang promoted an image of confidence as he announced modest economic growth goals for the country at one of its most important political gatherings. Li announced that the GDP growth target was 5% this year — a modest target that is still going to be difficult. China is grappling with an economic slowdown and a real estate market in crisis after a crackdown on excess borrowing led to a liquidity crisis among developers. Li’s report had stronger language on self-ruled Taiwan and a similar increase in defense spending as last year. It also indicated the central government may consider reforming the hukou system through which China allocates social benefits.
Trump lawyers want him back on witness stand in E. Jean Carroll case
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s lawyers say the ex-president deserves a new trial and a fresh chance to tell a jury why he berated writer E. Jean Carroll for her sex abuse claims against him after she revealed them five years ago. The lawyers made the assertion Tuesday as they renewed challenges to the $83.3 million awarded to Carroll in January by a Manhattan jury. Trump’s lawyers say the award was unjust because a judge disallowed the Republican frontrunner for president from fully testifying about his reasons why he harshly criticized Carroll while he was president. Trump was on the witness stand less than three minutes.
US destroyer shoots down missile and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.S. destroyer shot down drones and a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward it in the Red Sea. That’s according to the U.S. military’s Central Command early Tuesday. The assault Tuesday targeted the USS Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The rebels claimed the attack, though they said they targeted two American warships, without elaborating. Meanwhile, the Indian navy released footage of its sailors fighting a fire aboard a container ship that was targeted by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. Smoke poured out of one container aboard the vessel, which also showed scorch marks from the impact from a Houthi missile.
Haitian PM arrives in Puerto Rico after long absence as he struggles to get home to quell violence
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s embattled prime minister has landed in Puerto Rico as he tries to return to Haiti to quell a surge in violent gang attacks. Officials told The Associated Press that Ariel Henry landed late Tuesday afternoon at the Luiz Muñoz Marín International Airport in the capital of San Juan. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to confirm his arrival. Henry was expected to travel to the Dominican Republic later to fly to Haiti, but the government of the Caribbean nation closed its air borders as gangs in Haiti continue to escalate their attacks on key targets such as prisons and the main international airport.
Who is Jason Palmer? A previously unknown Democrat beats Biden in American Samoa’s Democratic caucus
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jason Palmer, a previously unknown candidate, won the Democratic caucus in American Samoa on Tuesday. Out of 91 ballots cast, Palmer won 51 and President Joe Biden won 40, according to the local party. Palmer told The Associated Press, “I found out that I had won because my phone started blowing up.” He says he never visited the territory before the caucus. The outcome won’t derail Biden’s march toward his party’s nomination. Only six delegates were at stake in the U.S. territory, which is a tiny collection of islands in the South Pacific. Palmer is a Baltimore resident who has worked for various businesses and nonprofits, often on issues involving technology and education.
Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona says she won’t seek reelection, avoiding a 3-way race
PHOENIX (AP) — Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona says she won’t run for a second term this year. Sinema’s decision Tuesday comes after her estrangement from the Democratic Party left her politically homeless and without a clear path to reelection. Senate Republicans recently blocked a bipartisan bill to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border and deliver military aid to Ukraine and Israel, which Sinema spent months negotiating. Sinema had hoped it would be a signature achievement addressing one of Washington’s most intractable challenges. Sinema says she loves Arizona and is proud of what she’s delivered but chooses “civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done.”
Gaza cease-fire talks fail to achieve a breakthrough with Ramadan just days away, Egypt says
CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian officials say three days of negotiations with Hamas over a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages have failed to achieve a breakthrough. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent weeks trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release up to 40 hostages in return for a six-week cease-fire, the release of some Palestinian prisoners and an influx of aid to address the humanitarian catastrophe. Two Egyptian officials said Tuesday that Hamas has presented a proposal that mediators would discuss with Israel in the coming days. One official said mediators would meet Wednesday with the Hamas delegation.
Meta attorneys ask judge to dismiss shareholder suit alleging failure to address human trafficking
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Attorneys for Meta and founder Mark Zuckerberg are seeking dismissal of shareholder lawsuit alleging the company has deliberately failed to protect users of its social media platforms from human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. The lawsuit was filed last year by several investment funds. It claims that Meta’s directors and senior executives have long known about rampant human trafficking and child sexual exploitation on Facebook and Instagram, but have failed to address the predatory behavior. Attorneys for Meta argue that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the alleged conduct has not resulted in Meta suffering any “corporate trauma” under Delaware law.