AP-Newswatch

Blinken says a lot of work remains on cease-fire and hostage talks as war in Gaza enters 5th month

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says “a lot of work” remains to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas over a cease-fire deal. Blinken is briefing Israel’s leaders Wednesday on Hamas’ response to a proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of scores of hostages. The war has entered a fifth month with both sides dug in and pursuing thus far elusive goals. Hamas laid out a three-phase plan to unfold over 4 1/2 months, responding to a proposal drawn up by the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt. All hostages would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including senior militants, and an end to the war. The proposal would effectively leave Hamas in power, a scenario Israel opposes.

Diapers and baby formula are hard to find in Gaza, leaving parents desperate

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The war in Gaza has sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that has prompted shortages of the most basic necessities. Among those hardest hit are babies, young children and their parents. Diapers and baby formula are hard to find or have become unaffordable as prices spike. Parents are looking to inadequate or even unsafe alternatives, such as giving solid food to infants younger than 6 months old. Aid deliveries are sporadic, hobbled by Israeli restrictions and the relentless fighting. Aid agencies say children’s needs in the war-torn territory far exceed the aid that’s coming in.

Nikki Haley is trounced by the ‘none of these candidates’ option in Nevada’s Republican primary

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nikki Haley has been swamped in Nevada’s symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the “none of these candidates” option on the ballot. Front-runner Donald Trump didn’t compete in the primary, which doesn’t award any delegates needed to win the GOP nomination. The former president is instead focused on caucuses that will be held Thursday and will help him move closer to becoming the Republican standard-bearer. That leaves the Republican results Tuesday technically meaningless. But they still amount to an embarrassment for Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who has sought to position herself as a candidate who can genuinely compete against Trump. President Joe Biden easily won the state’s Democratic primary.

Trump’s presidential bid hangs in the balance at the Supreme Court. Here’s what to know

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of former President Donald Trump’s attempt to return to the White House is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court. On Thursday, the justices will hear arguments in Trump’s appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that he’s not eligible to run again for president because he violated a provision in the 14th Amendment preventing those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. Many legal observers expect the nation’s highest court will reverse the Colorado ruling rather than remove the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination from the ballot. But it’s always tricky to try to predict a Supreme Court ruling, and the case against Trump has already broken new legal ground.

Bombings at Pakistani political offices kill at least 29 a day before parliamentary elections

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Bombs ripped through two separate political offices in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday. Officials said at least 29 people were killed and more than two dozen wounded. The attacks came the day before the country was set to elect a new parliament. They happened in Baluchistan province, home to a low-level insurgency and various militants groups. They raise concerns for the election in the troubled Western ally, where many voters are already disillusioned by political feuding and a seemingly intractable economic crisis. Violence ahead of elections and on the day of polling is common in Pakistan. The country has struggled to rein in various militant groups. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s bombings.

Authorities search for missing Marine Corps helicopter carrying 5 Marines from Nevada to California

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Crews were searching for a Marine Corps helicopter carrying five troops from Nevada to California that was reported overdue early Wednesday. The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base in Clark County, Nevada, to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. The five U.S. Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Miramar. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at Miramar Air Station in San Diego is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol.

Punishing storm finally easing off in Southern California but mudslide threat remains

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A storm that parked itself over Southern California for days, unleashing historic downpours that caused hundreds of landslides, is expected to move out of the region after one final drenching. But authorities say it leaves behind the threat of dangerous mudslides because the soaked soil cannot hold any more water. At least seven people have died, many from falling trees, since the storm first struck Northern California last weekend and then plowed south. Forecasts call for only one heavy downpour on Wednesday followed by a drying-out period and a sunny weekend.

Cough? Sore throat? More schools suggest mildly sick kids attend anyway

Schools are confronting soaring absence rates. Some are calling for parents to send their children to class even if they are not feeling 100% well. During the pandemic, schools urged parents and children to stay home at any sign of illness. Now that the COVID-19 emergency has ended, guidance on when to keep children home varies widely. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends staying home with fever, vomiting or diarrhea, or when students “are not well enough to participate in class.” But many districts go far beyond that, delineating a dizzying array of symptoms they say should rule out attendance.

Prince William returns to public duties at a time when the UK monarchy needs him more than ever

LONDON (AP) — Prince William is returning to royal duties for the first time since his father King Charles III announced his cancer diagnosis and his wife, Kate, was hospitalized for abdominal surgery. William will perform an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday before attending a gala fundraising dinner for London’s Air Ambulance Charity. The 41-year-old prince temporarily retreated from public-facing duties to help care for his wife and their children following his wife’s operation. But the king is stepping back from his task of being among his subjects to focus on getting better. And William’s presence is needed more than ever.

‘Puppy Bowl’ celebrates a big anniversary this year, one that shelter and rescue pups will cheer

NEW YORK (AP) — The annual “Puppy Bowl” turns 20 this year, well over middle age in dog years. There are some changes this year to the canine football telecast: Four previous puppy players return to be inducted in the new Puppy Bowl Hall of Fame and the show, which has grown to include armadillos, hedgehogs and chickens, will focus on dogs. The show is really just an excuse to spend time watching adorable, clumsy pups in colorful sweaters play with chew toys, wag their tails furiously and lick the camera. A deeper reason is to encourage animal adoption.