10 things you need to know today: February 21, 2016

Donald Trump cements frontrunner status with South Carolina triumph, Hillary Clinton wins Nevada, and more

Donald Trump
(Image credit: Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

1. Donald Trump wins South Carolina

Donald Trump was the clear winner of the South Carolina Republican presidential primary, leading with roughly 33 percent. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) were in a near-tie for second, with each candidate between 22 and 23 percent. The big win clearly distinguishes Trump, who finished a close second in Iowa and won convincingly in New Hampshire, as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

2. Hillary Clinton wins Nevada caucuses

Hillary Clinton won the Nevada Democratic caucuses on Saturday. Clinton led Bernie Sanders roughly 53 percent to 47 percent. The victory in Nevada surely comes as a big relief to the Democratic frontrunner, who prevailed very narrowly in Iowa before getting thumped by Sanders in New Hampshire. Next up for the Democrats is next Saturday's South Carolina primary.

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3. Jeb Bush drops out of presidential race

After seeing dismal results in early voting states, Jeb Bush announced Saturday night in South Carolina that he is suspending his campaign. Bush said he was proud of his campaign and the fact that he "stood his ground." "When I began this journey in Miami, I committed that I would campaign as I would serve — going everywhere, speaking to everyone, keeping my word, facing the issues without flinching, staying true to what I believe," he said.

CNN

4. Mitt Romney to reportedly endorse Marco Rubio

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) will reportedly endorse Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for president, two sources told The Huffington Post. The 2012 Republican presidential nominee may make the move before Tuesday's caucuses in Nevada. Rubio is the party's leading establishment candidate, but he has trailed in early primaries and caucuses to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

The Huffington Post

5. Scalia's son eulogizes the late justice

Rev. Paul Scalia eulogized his late father, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, on Saturday at a funeral Mass in Washington, D.C. "He understood there is no conflict between loving God and loving one's country, between one's faith and public service," Scalia said. The conservative justice died in February at age 79 while on a hunting trip in Texas.

The Hill

6. U.S., Russia reach 'provisional agreement' on Syria cease-fire

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that he has reached a "provisional agreement" with his Russian counterpart on the terms of a cease-fire in Syria. The next step, Kerry said, is reaching out to all parties involved in the five-year civil war, including the Syrian government, opposition leaders, and Iran. Then, President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin would talk. United Nations peace talks were delayed in February as violence escalated in the country.

The Associated Press

7. 6 killed in Michigan shooting

A gunman in western Michigan opened fire in three places late Saturday, killing six people and severely injuring two. Kalamazoo police arrested Jason Dalton early Sunday in connection with the shootings, which occurred outside townhomes, at a car dealership, and outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant. A motive has not yet been determined, officials said.

ABC News CNN

8. South Africa confirms first case of Zika virus

South African health authorities confirmed the country's first case of Zika virus Saturday. A Colombian business man visiting Johannesburg had a fever and rash, but fully recovered. The mosquito-borne virus, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency, is thought to be linked to a birth defect called microcephaly. The virus, which experts traced back to Brazil, has been spreading through the Americas at a rapid clip.

Reuters

9. Fiji cyclone kills 6

A cyclone that hit Fiji on Saturday has killed at least six people and left most of the island without power. Cyclone Winston reached winds up to 184 miles per hour. Officials are closing schools for one week and universities until further notice while damage is cleared. Winston was a monster of a cyclone," one Fiji resident told CNN. "I have not experienced anything like this before in my life, nor has my 60-year-old father."

CBS News CNN

10. 58th Daytona 500 to kick off NASCAR season

Drivers are set to take on the 58th annual Daytona 500 in the start of NASCAR's Sprint Cup season Sunday. Joey Logano, the youngest winner in NASCAR history, will start in fifth position as he tries to claim back-to-back titles. Chase Elliott, 20, will be the youngest driver in Daytona history to take the pole position. Watch the action from Daytona Beach, Florida, starting at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

SB Nation

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.