Iowa Caucus
The Iowa Caucuses are the first contest of the 2024 race for the White House. The candidates are making their final pitches to voters before the caucus begins at 7 p.m. local time. The main contenders are former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a comeback after being impeached twice and losing the 2020 election, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is hoping to appeal to both Trump loyalists and moderates. Other candidates include Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton¹.
The Iowa Caucuses are a complex and unique process, where voters gather in precincts across the state and express their preferences by standing in groups or raising their hands. The candidates need to reach a 15% threshold of support in each precinct to be viable, and if they don’t, their supporters can realign with another candidate. The results are reported in terms of state delegate equivalents, which are proportional to the number of delegates each candidate will receive at the national convention¹.
The Iowa Caucuses are seen as a crucial test of momentum and electability, as they often shape the narrative and expectations for the rest of the primary season. However, they are also criticized for being unrepresentative of the nation’s diversity, prone to errors and delays, and influenced by factors such as weather and turnout¹.
Defense Secretary
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital Monday following a two-week stay for treatment of an infection after earlier prostate cancer surgery. The delay in informing the public about his condition raised questions about the transparency and leadership of the Pentagon².
Austin, who is the first Black defense secretary in U.S. history, underwent surgery for prostate cancer on Dec. 29, 2023, and was expected to return to work in early January. However, he developed a post-surgical infection that required additional treatment and prolonged his recovery. The Pentagon did not disclose his hospitalization until Jan. 12, 2024, after media reports revealed his absence².
President Joe Biden said he has confidence in Austin and praised his service to the nation. Austin’s deputy, Kathleen Hicks, has been acting as the defense secretary in his absence and overseeing the U.S. military operations in Ukraine, Yemen, and other hotspots².
MLK Day
Communities across the nation planned to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday with events ranging from prayer services to parades, but a dangerously cold winter storm could limit some activities. The federal holiday honors the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968³.
Some of the events scheduled for Monday include a wreath-laying ceremony at the King Center in Atlanta, a march and rally in Washington, D.C., a virtual concert by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and a day of service by volunteers in various cities. However, some events have been canceled or moved online due to the extreme weather conditions that have affected millions of Americans³.
The MLK Day also coincides with the anniversary of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, killing more than 200,000 people and displacing millions more. Many Haitian Americans and activists have used the occasion to call for justice and solidarity for the Caribbean nation, which is still struggling with political and humanitarian crises³.
Winter Storm
A powerful winter storm swept across the U.S. over the weekend, bringing snow, ice, rain, and strong winds that caused power outages, traffic accidents, and flight cancellations. The storm also triggered a rare blizzard warning for parts of the Midwest and Northeast, where wind chills could drop below -40°F⁴.
The storm, dubbed Winter Storm Isaiah by The Weather Channel, dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland. It also brought freezing rain and sleet to parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic, creating hazardous driving conditions and coating trees and power lines with ice. More than 300,000 customers were without power in several states as of Monday morning⁴.
The storm is expected to move eastward on Monday, bringing more snow and wind to New England and the coastal areas. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories for more than 100 million people from the Great Lakes to the Northeast. Travelers are advised to check their flight status and road conditions before heading out⁴.
Houthi Attacks
The U.S. conducted another airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday, targeting a weapons storage site near the capital, Sanaa. The strike was the third one in less than a week, as the U.S. ramps up its pressure on the Iran-backed group that has been fighting the Saudi-led coalition and the internationally recognized government of Yemen since 2014⁵.
The U.S. Central Command said the strike was in response to the Houthi attacks on civilian and military targets in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and that it aimed to degrade the Houthis’ ability to threaten regional stability and security. The U.S. also said it supports the efforts of the U.N. envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to broker a peaceful resolution to the conflict⁵.
The Houthi rebels have not commented on the latest strike, but they have claimed responsibility for several drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days, including one that hit an oil facility in Jeddah on Sunday. The Houthis have also rejected a ceasefire proposal by Saudi Arabia last week, saying it did not address the blockade and siege imposed on Yemen⁵.
The war in Yemen has killed more than 100,000 people and caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with millions facing famine, disease, and displacement⁵.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/iowa-caucus-live-updates-latest-news-as-candidates-make-final-push-before-caucus-begins/ar-AA1n01BT.
(2) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released from hospital. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-released-from-hospital/ar-AA1n0u7C.
(3) MLK Jr. holiday celebrations are planned across the nation, but winter storm could limit some. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mlk-jr-holiday-celebrations-are-planned-across-the-nation-but-winter-storm-could-limit-some/ar-AA1n0qXC.
(4) Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN. https://www.cnn.com/.
(5) NBC News – Breaking News & Top Stories – Latest World, US & Local News. https://www.nbcnews.com/.
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