Domestic Politics
Presidential hopeful and former Vice President Joe Biden racked up three key endorsements on the eve of Super Tuesday–from former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who dropped out of the race earlier that day, and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke. After a landslide victory in South Carolina, Biden has emerged as the surging moderate alternative to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is currently leading in the national delegates. [CNN; Al Jazeera]
After three days of talks between the two parties, Indigenous affairs ministers from British Columbia and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government have reached a temporary agreement that will address legacy land rights and title issues. The agreement will now be reviewed by the Wet’suwet’en people, and consultations are expected to take around 2 weeks. The pipeline construction will still continue. [Reuters]
International Relations
Despite renewed attacks by the Taliban on Afghan forces just days after the signing of the landmark “peace” deal, the United States Defense Secretary announced that the US has begun its initial withdrawal of troops, acting in “good faith.” The resumption of hostilities quickly dismissed any hopes of a prolonged ceasefire or further reduction of violence in the country. [The New York Times]
Health
Four more people have died in Washington State from COVID-19, bringing the death toll in the state up to six. At least four of the six casualties were elderly or had pre-existing conditions. [Al Jazeera]
Canada is instructing travelers from Iran to isolate themselves at home for 14 days due to the risk of coronavirus and advised Canadian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran. Canadian public health officials have diagnosed 27 confirmed cases so far, with 18 cases in Ontario, 8 in British Columbia, and 1 suspected case in Quebec. [Global News]
The United States Supreme Court announced that it will hear a case that will decide the fate of the Affordable Care Act. The court is expected to hear arguments in its next term, which will start in October and end in June 2021, making it highly unlikely that a ruling will take place before the November general elections. [Reuters]
Environment
Businesses in New York will no longer be allowed to provide or sell plastic bags after the introduction of a long-awaited state-wide ban on single-use plastic. However, exemptions include bags for takeaway and delivery food, prescription drugs, rubbish bags, uncooked meat and fish, and some non-film plastic “reusable” bags. [The Guardian]
Society
University students across the United States staged protests on Monday demanding their institutions to stop using facial recognition technology on campuses. The protests came after severe pushback by UCLA students against a proposed facial recognition program, which led to the school to eventually drop the technology. Students across approximately a dozen schools protested on campus this week; 36 schools took online actions, including petitions. [The Guardian]
Image Source: TIME