International
Super tuesday: Pivotal moment in U.S. presidential race nears
Super Tuesday, the pivotal day in the U.S. presidential primaries, is fast approaching, with significant implications for the campaigns of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Why is Super Tuesday Important?
Super Tuesday, scheduled for March 5th, marks a critical juncture in the presidential primaries, as it allocates the largest number of delegates in a single day—over 35%. The outcome of these primaries can often solidify the frontrunners and effectively determine the nominees for both parties.
Which States Participate in Super Tuesday?
Fourteen out of the fifty states in the U.S. will hold Republican and Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday, including California and Texas, the two largest states in the country. Other participating states include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
How Many Delegates Are at Stake?
Republicans will select 865 out of the 2,429 delegates, constituting 35.6% of the total, while Democrats will choose 1,439 out of the 3,934 delegates, representing 36.5% of the total. These delegates will play a crucial role in determining the nominees for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
Can Biden Secure the Nomination on Super Tuesday?
Unlikely. Even if Joe Biden wins all the delegates up for grabs, he would still fall short of the 1,968 delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination. However, given his current lead and lack of significant opposition, Biden is expected to reach the required delegate threshold by March 19th, after several more states have voted.
And Trump?
Similarly, Donald Trump is unlikely to secure the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday. While he leads comfortably in the Republican primaries, the presence of Nikki Haley in the race has delayed his path to victory. Trump currently has 244 delegates, and the Republicans still need to choose another 29 delegates in the North Dakota caucuses before Super Tuesday.
Will Haley Survive Super Tuesday?
Nikki Haley, Trump’s sole remaining rival in the Republican primaries, faces mounting pressure to withdraw from the race after several defeats. With only 43 delegates and growing skepticism about her candidacy, Haley sees Super Tuesday as a crucial test to demonstrate her viability as a candidate. However, a strong showing by Trump on Super Tuesday could make it difficult for Haley to justify staying in the race.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
Costa Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change
U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoU.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
-
International5 days agoFootball Fan Killed in Clashes After Colombian League Match
-
Central America5 days agoGuatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
-
International5 days agoMissing Spanish Sailor Rescued After 11 Days Adrift in Mediterranean
-
International5 days agoRubio Says U.S. Could Participate in Follow-Up Russia-Ukraine Talks
-
Central America3 days agoPanama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional
-
International4 days agoStorm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
-
Central America3 days agoU.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports
-
International4 days agoMan Arrested After Vehicle Crashes Into Jewish Institution in Brooklyn
-
International4 days agoTrump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
-
Central America22 hours agoCosta Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change