Trump’s gains with Latinos could reshape American politics. Democrats are struggling to respond

MIAMI (AP) — From Pennsylvania to Florida to Texas, areas with high numbers of Hispanics often had little in common on Election Day other than backing Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris for president. It was a realignment that, if it sticks, could change American politics. Texas and Florida are already reliably Republican. But more Hispanics turning away from Democrats in future presidential races could further dent the party’s “blue wall” of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. The shift might even make it harder for Democrats in states such as Arizona and Nevada.

Why AP called Arizona for Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press declared President-elect Donald Trump the winner in Arizona on Saturday night after vote updates in Maricopa and other counties added to his overall lead, putting the state out of reach for Vice President Kamala Harris. At the time the AP called the race at 9:21 p.m. ET, Trump led Harris, 52.6% to 46.4%, a margin of about 185,000 votes. Harris needed to win about seven out of every ten votes of the roughly 443,000 uncounted ballots remaining, a percentage that has steadily grown as additional votes were counted.

Biden and Trump will meet in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House says

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump will meet Wednesday in the Oval Office. That word comes Saturday from the White House. Such a postelection meeting is customary between the outgoing president and the incoming president. But Trump, a Republican, didn’t host Biden, a Democrat, for a sit-down after the 2020 election, when Trump lost his reelection bid. Trump sought the presidency four years later, and this week he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat. The White House said Biden called Trump this past Wednesday to congratulate him and invite him to meet in the Oval Office.

Qatar suspends its mediation efforts on Gaza and the Hamas office there may have to leave

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Qatar says it has suspended its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel. The announcement comes after growing frustration with the lack of progress on a cease-fire deal for Gaza. But one official said Saturday that Qatar is highly likely to return to the efforts if both sides show “serious political willingness” to reach a deal on the war.  It is not immediately clear whether the remaining Hamas leadership hosted by Qatar must leave. A U.S. official says the Biden administration informed Qatar two weeks ago that the continued operation of the Hamas office in Doha was no longer useful.

Hungry Palestinians in north Gaza search for food, sealed off from aid for a month by Israeli siege

JERUSALEM (AP) — Palestinians in northern Gaza are rationing out their last supplies of food to survive, with no aid entering the area for the past month under an Israeli siege. Some have staggered out of the area, hungry and thin, into Gaza City. A hospital there reports seeing thousands of children suffering from malnutrition. Medical workers say hunger is spiraling to dire proportions. The Israeli military has waged a fierce campaign in the north since the beginning of October. It says it’s rooting out Hamas militants who’ve regrouped there. The desperation comes as the deadline approaches next week for a 30-day ultimatum that the U.S. gave Israel. It says Israel must raise the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza or risk possible restrictions on U.S. military funding.

A record 13 women will be governors next year after New Hampshire elected Kelly Ayotte

A record 13 women will serve as governor next year after the election of New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte, breaking the record set in 2023. Ayotte, a former U.S. senator, defeated the Democratic nominee Joyce Craig, former mayor of New Hampshire’s largest city. Experts say women holding top public offices normalizes their presence and opens the door for more women to seek executive positions. Eighteen states have never had a woman in the governor’s office. Kelly Dittmar of the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics says 13 out of 50 is still underrepresentation for women.

US will appeal judge’s ruling that 9/11 defendants can plead guilty and avoid the death penalty

WASHINGTON (AP) — A defense official says the Defense Department will appeal a military judge’s ruling that plea agreements struck by the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and two of his co-defendants are valid. The judge’s ruling this past week had voided Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s order to throw out the deals. The judge concluded that the plea agreements were valid and he granted the three motions to enter guilty pleas. The defense official says the U.S. will also seek a postponement of any hearing on the pleas. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss legal matters.

Firefighters advance on destructive blaze in California, aided by slower winds

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California firefighters have gained ground on a wildfire that has ravaged more than 100 structures. Light winds and favorable conditions are expected through the weekend after dry, warm and gusty weather subsided. Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings for residents in several areas of Ventura County. The Mountain Fire has held at 32 square miles and is 21% contained. The blaze broke out Wednesday and exploded in size, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes northwest of Los Angeles. Some forecasts showed winds returning to the area Tuesday, but not to the extent seen last week.

Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke, the nation’s 4th biggest killer

The majority of strokes could be prevented, according to new guidelines aimed at helping people and their doctors do just that. The first new guidelines on stroke prevention in 10 years from the American Heart Association include recommendations for people and doctors that reflect a better understanding of who gets strokes and why, along with new drugs that can help reduce risk. Stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2023, and more than half a million Americans have a stroke every year. But up to 80% of strokes may be preventable with better nutrition, exercise and identification of risk factors.

100-year-old Royal Air Force veteran will join UK memorial service for the first time

LONDON (AP) — Michael Woods has visited his wife, Mary, every day since she moved into a nursing home two years ago. But on Sunday, the 100-year-old Royal Air Force veteran will skip the daily get-together so he can fulfill another duty — honoring the men he served with during World War II. For the first time since he left the RAF in 1947, Woods will take part in Britain’s national Remembrance Day service. He will join thousands of veterans as they march past the Cenotaph war memorial in central London to honor those who died during the world wars and all the conflicts that followed.