Informing, engaging & connecting the people of the world. MARCH 16, 2020

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Despite cancellation of most U.S. political events because of the COVID 19 virus, four more states hold presidential nominating contests Tuesday that could virtually eliminate any doubt as to who will face President Donald Trump for the Democratic Party in November.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On March 16, 1802, the United States Military Academy is founded. Commonly called West Point, it was established with the purpose of educating and training future U.S. Army officers. Some notable graduates include Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Buzz Aldrin and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The first African-American cadet was admitted in 1870, and the first female cadet was admitted in 1976. Today, West Point has an enrollment of over 4,000 cadets.

The last two major U.S. Democratic presidential candidates, former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, clashed Sunday night in a spirited debate on a range of issues as they made their best case to be the party’s nominee to face Republican President Donald Trump in November’s national election.

VIDEO: A young Botswana boxer has defied the odds in a male-dominated sport, to become the country’s first ever female Olympian boxer. Sadie Kenosi, 23, recently became the first boxer in the world to book her spot in July’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

VIDEO: Once subject to strict Islamic State rules, women in the group’s former self-proclaimed capital Raqqa are now trying to bring a sense of normalcy back to their lives. Dozens of school girls across the city recently participated in a basketball tournament for the first time since the defeat of the group by coalition forces in October 2017.

Due to coronavirus worries, Haiti will close its border with the Dominican Republic as of midnight on Monday, Prime Minister Jouthe Joseph announced Sunday. Joseph said an exception is being made for merchandise, which will still be allowed across the border after screening.