promoearn: 2 dead, 2 alive in Mexico kidnapping

Tuesday, March 7

Tragic news out of Mexico: Two of the four Americans kidnapped last week were found dead. Meanwhile: The Department of Justice sued to block JetBlue and Spirit Airlines merger — all in the name of costs to customers.

👋 It's Laura Davis. It's Tuesday. Let's get to the news!

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2 kidnapped Americans found dead in Mexico; 2 survivors returned to US

Two of the four Americans missing since their brazen and violent abduction last week after crossing the border into Mexico have been found dead and two are alive, Mexican officials said Tuesday. One of the surviving U.S. citizens was found wounded and the other was unharmed, Tamaulipas Gov. Américo Villarreal said after confirming two Americans died. One suspect was in custody, authorities said. Mexican officials said the Americans vanished Friday after getting caught in the crossfire of rival cartel groups in the border city of Matamoros in Tamaulipas state, just below Brownsville, Texas. More updates.

•	Why do Americans cross the border into Mexico for health care?

The scene where four Americans were kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico.

USA TODAY

Biden budget proposal includes tax increase on wealthiest Americans

Wealthy Americans will pay higher taxes under the proposed budget that President Joe Biden will send to Congress on Thursday, but Biden says he will keep his promise not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans. "I want to make it clear: I'm going to raise some taxes," Biden said last week. However, people making less than $400,000 a year "will not pay an additional single penny in any tax," he said. The budget blueprint will be the first that Biden has submitted to the Republican-controlled House, which is unlikely to go along with his proposal. Here's what we know about the proposed tax increases.

•	Biden budget proposal would increase Medicare tax for Americans earning more than $400K.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an event to discuss Social Security and Medicare held at the University of Tampa on February 09, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event to discuss Social Security and Medicare held at the University of Tampa on Feb. 9 in Tampa, Fla.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

What everyone's talking about

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DOJ sues to block JetBlue Spirit merger

Are JetBlue and Spirit merging? Not if the Department of Justice has anything to do with it. The DOJ filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block JetBlue's bid to merge with Spirit Airlines, the opening salvo in a coming antitrust trial as the agency fights to prevent the carriers from combining. The lawsuit said that the deal would end direct competition between JetBlue and Spirit and eliminate Spirit, the nation's biggest "ultra-low-cost carrier," ultimately driving up ticket prices for passengers across the country. Here's what to know.

A JetBlue Airlines plane is seen near Spirit Airlines planes at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 16, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Tuesday to block JetBlue's bid to merge with Spirit Airlines.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images

Ukraine: A stalemate in the skies

An estimated 60 Ukrainian aircraft have been downed since Russia's invasion began a year ago, but Moscow has lost more than 70, the top U.S. Air Force commander in Europe said. Gen. James Hecker said Russia's larger air force failed to establish air superiority in the early days of the war, but that a virtual stalemate now exists in the skies. Russian air defenses are located in Russia, Belarus and parts of occupied Ukraine, he said, which will make it difficult for Ukraine to use air power in the counteroffensive the Ukrainians are planning for the spring and summer.

•	👉 Live Ukraine updates: Russian protester sentenced to more than 8 years in prison for 'fake news.'
•	'We will find the killers': Outrage over video showing Ukrainian soldier's apparent execution.

A Ukrainian serviceman smokes a cigarette after leaving Bakhmut, in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine, Friday, March 3, 2023.

A Ukrainian serviceman smokes a cigarette after leaving Bakhmut, in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine, on March 3.

Evgeniy Maloletka, AP

A break from the news

•	💰 Should you wait to claim Social Security? Here's how to make the right choice.
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Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

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