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South Carolina primary, Leap Day, coronavirus outbreak: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors
USA TODAY

All eyes on South Carolina for the next Democratic primary

The South Carolina Democratic presidential primary is Saturday with seven candidates on the ballot. The closely watched primary comes just three days before crucial Super Tuesday, which includes nominating contests in 14 states and one U.S. territory. While Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to take his first primary state this weekend, a recent Winthrop University poll found that 18% of South Carolina Democratic Primary voters were still undecided. Biden was in the lead with 24%, compared to 19% for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Follow along for live South Carolina Primary Results here. Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.

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Trump to address one of his most adoring crowds at CPAC

President Donald Trump will return to the Conservative Political Action Conference, commonly known CPAC, on Saturday for the fourth time in his presidency. After his acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial, Trump is expected to take his grievances to the stage in an attempt to further shore up his conservative base ahead of the November presidential election. In a more than two-hour speech filled with boastful claims last year, Trump attacked Democrats and announced that he would require schools to "support free speech" if they want federal research dollars. CPAC traditionally attracts an audience of young conservatives, Republican politicians, and other stalwarts of conservatism in the United States. 

A third Disneyland park closes due to coronavirus

Tokyo Disneyland will close for two weeks, starting Saturday, as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus in Japan. In a statement on its website, the park cited the elevated risk of infection in crowded venues. The closures come as the number of COVID-19 cases in Japan continues to climb. Disneyland resorts in Shanghai, China, and Hong Kong have been closed since Jan. 26. In an earnings call earlier this month, Disney’s finance chief Christine McCarthy said that the company will feel the impact of the China and Hong King closures in its second-quarter and full-year results — to the tune of $175 million. 

Leap Day is here, and restaurants are celebrating with deals

February 29 comes once every four years, and on Saturday, the world will gain an extra day or Leap Day. Julius Caesar introduced the idea of a Leap Day, but the math he used wasn't quite right, creating too many leap years. Essentially, every 400 years, we ended up with three extra days, so to compensate, centuries must be divisible by 400 to count as leap years. While the math may be confusing, the day is very rewarding if you have the rarest of birthdays and were born Feb. 29. Several restaurants will offer birthday freebies for the group known as Leaplings, Leapsters or Leapers. Most years, they celebrate their birthdays either Feb. 28 or March 1.

Party time! Major League Soccer turns 25

America's top soccer competition, Major League Soccer, kicks off its milestone 25th anniversary season Saturday with eight games, including expansion team Nashville SC's inaugural game against league powerhouse Atlanta United (8 p.m. ET, FOX). Nashville isn't the only expansion team making its debut this weekend. David Beckham is back in the American soccer spotlight as his Inter Miami CF will debut against Los Angeles FC on Sunday (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Among the other key storylines for the season are the LA Galaxy’s addition of Mexican star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and the reboot of the once-proud Chicago Fire. USA TODAY experts provided predictions for the 2020 season. 

Contributing: Associated Press

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