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Why this matters:

• In Indiana, several Trump-backed candidates won against Republican state senators who rejected his redistricting plan in December. Their victories were a signal to Republicans everywhere that they can still get thrown out of office if they distance themselves from Trump, even as his popularity fades.
  
  

• In Michigan, a Democrat comfortably won a state Senate race in a bellwether district, the latest in a string of special election victories. With the help of an endorsement from Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy clinched the Republican nomination for Ohio governor. He will face Democrat Amy Acton, Ohio’s former public health director.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Detailed election results
  
  
• Ohio US Senate contest seen as crucial for control of the chamber
  
  
• Michigan Democrats keep control of state Senate in election win that offers clues about midterms 
  
  
• Trump-backed candidates win majority of Republican primary races for Indiana Senate 
  
  
• Photos from the elections 
  
  
• Professor’s speech praising pro-Palestinian students sparks backlash at University of Michigan 
  
  
• Candidates for California governor tangle in testy debate with mail voting already underway 
  
  
• South Carolina joins Southern redistricting push after US Supreme Court ruling on minority districts 
  
  
• Tennessee Republicans target Memphis as South Carolina considers joining House redistricting battle 
  
  
• Man charged in White House correspondents’ dinner attack is indicted on new assault count 
  
  
• Trump administration sues Denver over its 1989 assault weapons ban
  
  
• US rights agency sues New York Times for discriminating against white man passed over for promotion

WORLD NEWS

Trump advisers step up their calls on China to help open Strait of Hormuz ahead of Beijing summit

This comes ahead of the highly anticipated summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week. Read more.

Why this matters:

• On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Chinese officials to use Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to China to urge Tehran to release its chokehold on the critical waterway. After meeting with Araghchi on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China was “deeply distressed” over the war. He also said a “comprehensive ceasefire” was needed.
  
  

• The Chinese comments could inject new energy into stalled efforts to push for an agreement between the U.S. and Iran that would end the war. They followed an earlier statement by Trump that he was pausing his short-lived U.S. effort to guide stranded vessels to guide commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz in hopes that a deal could be finalized.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• More on the China-Iran meeting 
  
  
• The rapid embrace of AI in China, its biggest testing ground, may shape how AI is used globally 

US NEWS

Gasoline costs 50% more in the US than before the Iran war

The price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA. Read more.

Why this matters:

• Many drivers were hopeful in mid-April in response to signs that the conflict could be winding down. Gasoline prices fell daily for almost two weeks. But as the war continued, the change reversed and prices began increasing again. The longer the flow of oil is constrained through the Strait of Hormuz, the higher prices will go, said Rob Smith, director of global fuel retail at S&P Global Energy.