5 things to know for March 4: 2020 Dems, Tennessee, coronavirus, Taliban, Iran

It's time for a fresh start. For something new. For ... spring cleaning! There can actually be some great health benefits from a good round of scrubbing and purging, so don't think of it as a chore. Think of it as a wellness choice.

© Mike Blake/Reuters Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden addresses supporters at his Super Tuesday night rally in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.

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1. Election 2020

Some Super Tuesday results are still rolling in, but it's already clear Joe Biden was the day's biggest winner. The former Vice President swept the southern elections, turned in a surprise victory in Texas and even poached a victory in Elizabeth Warren's home state of Massachusetts. Biden's success in yesterday's contests shows his popularity among key demographics, like African Americans, older voters and white suburbanites. While as of this morning, Biden had secured a commanding majority of the delegates up for grabs across 14 states and one US territory, Bernie Sanders leads in California, one of the day's biggest prizes. If he wins there, it could put his delegate count over Biden's. Meanwhile, Warren and Michael Bloomberg are facing some harsh disappointments. Warren failed to win a single contest, and Bloomberg limped away with one: American Samoa. 

© Courtesy Mendl Weinstock

2. Tennessee tornado

Tennessee is under a state of emergency after its deadliest tornado day in seven years. At least 24 people were killed and dozens more are unaccounted for after storms ripped through the Nashville area. Thousands are still without power, and search and rescue teams are working to locate the missing. The destruction and confusion following the storms led some polling places in the state and surrounding areas to extend their hours to accommodate Super Tuesday voters. In recent years, scientists have noticed an increased frequency of tornadoes in the Southeast. In these areas, tornadoes tend to be harder to spot and often come at night, when people are less prepared. 

3. Coronavirus 

Economic fears over the coronavirus epidemic are starting to manifest into action. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by half a percentage point in an attempt to give the US economy a jolt. It's the first unscheduled, emergency rate cut since 2008. Experts are hoping this economic "panic button" will move leaders in the health sector and the White House to enact more serious policies to stop the virus' spread and secondary effects. Congressional negotiators still haven't finalized a spending bill to help battle the coronavirus, and its passage hinges on Democrats insisting any vaccine against the virus is made affordable for everyone. Worldwide cases have now surpassed 92,000, with dozens of new cases being reported in the US and Australia. Meantime, Iran will temporarily release 54,000 people from prisons as officials struggle to contain the rapid spread of the biggest coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East.

4. Taliban

The US has conducted an airstrike against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan as the historic deal between the two entities threatens to fray mere days after it was signed. The breakdown began after reports the Taliban had resumed violence in the country, carrying out 33 reported attacks that killed six civilians and wounded 14 others. Such aggression is expressly forbidden by the deal with the US, in exchange for the US reducing its troop presence in the country. President Trump and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's chief negotiator, spoke by phone amid the reports. Hours later, military officials announced the airstrike, which they said was a defensive move to protect a US military checkpoint. 

5. Iran

Iran has ramped up its production of nuclear materials and nearly tripled its stockpile of low enriched uranium since November, according to the UN's nuclear watchdog. The purpose of such an increase is a bit tricky: Low enriched uranium is used for nuclear power plants, not weapons. However, in theory, the increased stockpiles reduce the time the country would need to acquire enough weapons-grade material to create a bomb. The increase also puts Iran's stores of low enriched uranium far over the limit set by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which the US left in 2018. 

BREAKFAST BROWSE

A man brought a llama to his sister's wedding, and everyone loved it ...

... except for the sister. 

Here's how to stay productive if coronavirus precautions require you to work from home 

Unfortunately, you probably need to change out of your pj's. 

An Australian thief used a fishing rod to steal a Versace necklace 

As Bear Grylls says, "Improvise. Adapt. Overcome." 

Olympics broadcaster NBC is insured in case the games get canceled 

They really think of everything, don't they? 

A large asteroid will come extremely close to Earth next month, but NASA says it won't hit us 

Gee, thanks for the reassurance. 

TODAY'S NUMBER

240 days

That's how long Australia's New South Wales was ravaged by bushfires. But thankfully, after all that time, the region is now free from the blazes. 

TODAY'S QUOTE

"Clearly, what we're talking about isn't criticism. This is hate."

"The Bachelor" franchise host Chris Harrison, during a "Women Tell All Special" in which female contestants discussed shocking, abusive messages they have received from viewers. 

HAPPENING LATER

Roe v. Wade takes center stage

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments today in a Louisiana abortion access case. It's the first major case on the contentious issue to go before the high court since President Trump's two nominees took the bench. 

TODAY'S WEATHER

AND FINALLY

The secret to making the best candied fruit 

Aaaaaand now we're craving candied fruit. It was the gooey, sticky basket shot that did us in. (Click here to view.)