Trump easily wins in Iowa as Republican contest kicks off 2024 presidential race | First Thing

Former president a step closer to Joe Biden rematch, as Ron DeSantis edges out Nikki Haley for distant second place finish. Plus, who won at the delayed 2023 Emmy awards

Good morning.

Donald Trump has won an overwhelming victory in the US's first election contest of 2024, easily fending off a winnowed field of Republicans in the Iowa caucuses.

How much did Trump win by? With an estimated 99% of the vote counted, Trump was on 51%, DeSantis 21.2%, and Haley 19.1%. The former president smashed the previous record margin of victory in a competitive Republican presidential race in the state, which stood at 12 percentage points.

What's next? The New Hampshire primaries are next and Trump will be more confident than ever about capturing the Republican nomination following last night's success.

What's happening in Gaza? The Israeli military said on Tuesday its troops killed dozens of Palestinian militants around the town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza and also uncovered about 100 rocket launchers.

What else is happening? Israel's defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said today that the country's intense military operation in southern Gaza was nearing its end. However, Gallant said Hamas would not agree to release any more hostages without continued military pressure.