On the version of Hot off the Wire posted Feb. 27 at 7:30 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden and Donald Trump are marching toward their respective presidential nominations. But Michigan’s primary on Tuesday could reveal significant political perils for both of them. Trump faces a bloc of stubbornly persistent GOP voters who favor his lone remaining rival, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Biden is confronting an energized movement of disillusioned voters upset with his handling of the war in Gaza. Michigan is the last major primary state before Super Tuesday and a critical swing state in November’s general election. Even if Biden and Trump post dominant victories on Tuesday, both campaigns will be looking at the margins for signs of weakness.

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden has signaled that a cease-fire in Gaza could be at hand. He said that Israel has agreed to pause its offensive during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release some hostages held by Hamas. But both Israel and Hamas downplayed on Tuesday the idea that a breakthrough was imminent. In the wake of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, Israel’s air, sea and ground campaign in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, obliterated large swaths of the urban landscape, and displaced 80% of the battered enclave’s population. Now, the prospect of an invasion of Rafah has prompted global alarm over the fate of civilians trapped there. Talks to pause the fighting have gained momentum recently and were underway Tuesday.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European heavyweights Germany and Poland insist that they will not send troops to Ukraine. That's after reports said some Western countries may be considering sending troops. NATO's chief also says the U.S.-led military alliance has no plans to send troops to Ukraine. The Kremlin, meanwhile, is warning of the “inevitability” of direct conflict between NATO and Russia if the alliance sends them. French President Emmanuel Macron says that sending in Western troops should not be “ruled out” in the future. Slovakia’s Prime Minister says some countries are weighing whether to do it.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has set a trial date for Alec Baldwin on an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from a deadly shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.” Jury selection is scheduled to begin July 9, with the trial starting the following day. The proceedings are expected to last eight days. Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer on the film, pleaded not guilty in January. He was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing her and wounding the director. The movie's armorer also was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Her trial is underway.

Other headlines:

—The Associated Press

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Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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