Biden and Trump dominate Super Tuesday races and move closer to a November rematch
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, have dominated 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 | Why are Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey advancing twice for the same California seat?
Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican former baseball player Steve Garvey are headed for a November election in California to decide who will fill the U.S. Senate seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein. But it’s not just one term. The candidates are competing to serve out the remainder of Feinstein’s term between the November election and the January inauguration of a new senator. But they’re also running for her full six-year term. The strange scenario came about because California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed someone to the seat after Feinstein’s death. Election rules require a special election to fill the last bit of that term.
Hostage crisis poses dilemma for Israel and offers a path to victory for Hamas
Over the last five months, Israel has killed thousands of Hamas fighters, destroyed dozens of their tunnels and wreaked unprecedented destruction on the Gaza Strip. But it faces a dilemma that was clear from the start of the war and will determine its outcome: It can either try to annihilate Hamas, which would mean almost certain death for the estimated 100 hostages still held in Gaza, or it can cut a deal that would allow the militants to claim a historic victory. Either outcome would be excruciating for Israelis. Either would likely seal an ignominious end for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long political career. And either might be seen as acceptable by Hamas, which valorizes martyrdom.
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.
How Putin’s crackdown on dissent became the hallmark of the Russian leader’s 24 years in power
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Over the last decade, Vladimir Putin’s government has evolved from tolerating dissent to ruthlessly suppressing any activities or people who dared challenge it. Arrests, trials and lengthy prison terms have become especially common in the last two years, after Putin sent troops into Ukraine, and his security and law enforcement apparatus went after those who spoke out against it. Along with its political opponents, the Kremlin also went after prominent rights activists, critical media outlets and even social groups like the LGBTQ+ community. Oleg Orlov, co-chair of the country’s most prominent human rights group, says “Russia is no longer an authoritarian state – it is a totalitarian state.”
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.
Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey set to compete for California Senate seat
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republican Steve Garvey is advancing to a November election to fill the U.S. Senate seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein, a rare opportunity for the GOP to compete in a marquee statewide race in this Democratic stronghold. The former baseball MVP who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will face Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff. California puts all candidates, regardless of party, on the same primary ballot and the two who get the most votes advance to the general election.
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.
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.
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.