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.

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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?

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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

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.