A 17-year-old opened fire at a small-town Iowa high school before classes resumed on the first day after the winter break, killing a sixth-grader and wounding five others on Thursday.

US: 1 killed, 5 injured in Iowa high school shooting

Former United States president Donald Trump, a 2024 presidential election hopeful, was seen handing out pizzas to his supporters at a pub in Iowa. According to a report by Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), Trump was swarmed by a crowd of his supporters at the Treehouse Pub & Eatery.

Former United States president Donald Trump, a 2024 presidential election hopeful, was seen handing out pizzas to his supporters at a pub in Iowa. According to a report by Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), Trump was swarmed by a crowd of his supporters at the Treehouse Pub & Eatery. He was met with chants of "USA" and "Proud to be an American. "Who wants one?" the former president asked as he handed over pizza boxes to his supporters at the pub. Here's a look at the video: Donald Trump hands out pizza in a packed bar in Iowa as supporters swarm him and cheer. No one connects with voters like Trump 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/EM6zck1UqO — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 20, 2023 × In Iowa, where the Republican Party's first nominating contest for the November 2024 election will be held in January, Trump has maintained a strong lead over his Republican opponents. A poll by Fox Business News showed Trump with 46% support, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis with 15% and Nikki Haley with 11%. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump held a rally in Dubuque. Addressing his supporters, Trump said if elected again, he would shift resources from federal law enforcement agencies and send thousands of overseas-based troops to the US-Mexico border. "Upon my inauguration, I will immediately terminate every open borders policy of the Biden administration," Trump said. "I'll make clear that we must use any and all resources needed to stop the invasion, including moving thousands of troops currently stationed overseas," he added. The former president also blasted the recent prisoner swap that saw five Americans return from Tehran after they were swapped for five Iranians held in the US, and the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets. “Yesterday I watched at the United Nations, and I still haven't gotten over the $6 billion for five people. Six billion. They freed up $6 billion for five people. They got five. We got five. It was a hostage swap. They got five. We got five. That was the good news. The bad news is they also got $6 billion. Right? And you say, how the hell, who would do a deal like that?” the former president said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Watch | In Iowa, Donald Trump hands out pizzas to supporters at pub: 'Who wants one?'

In a shocking incident that unfolded in the US state of Iowa, a 17-year-old girl was arrested by a police officer for approaching an online site requesting the murder of a seven-year-old child.&nbsp;

As per media reports, the girl allegedly attempted to hire a hitman to kill the child.&nbsp;

In order to do that, the girl used a fake website called RentAHitman.com. She was not aware that the online portal was in fact a parody site.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/meta-teases-ai-features-into-facebook-instagram-whatsapp-for-billions-of-users-602535">Meta teases AI features into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp for billions of users</a>

The girl provided the child's name and location on the website. This led the website owner to contact the police.&nbsp;

Later, an undercover officer posing as a hitman contacted the girl, leading to her arrest. She is now facing a felony charge of solicitation to commit murder.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deserted-dystopia-chinese-city-evacuated-after-cracks-appear-near-high-rises-602506">Deserted dystopia: Chinese city evacuated after cracks appear near high-rises</a>

Due to being a minor, her name has been withheld from making it public.&nbsp;

<h2>What is RentAHitman.com website?&nbsp;</h2>

RentAHitman.com was originally created by Bob Innes, an IT programmer. The website was initially launched as a humorous way to advertise a computer security company he started with his college friends, as per the KCCI media portal.&nbsp;

The website's purpose was to highlight the dangers of the Dark and Deep web. The portal's motto was to warn people against engaging in illegal activities online.&nbsp;

However, the site gained attention from individuals seeking to hire hitmen or become one themselves.

Watch | Sunak-Biden Meet: 'Atlantic declaration' seen as a counter to Russia and China

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Realising the misuse of the website, Innes began forwarding suspicious requests to the police. This proactive approach led to the arrest of the 17-year-old girl.&nbsp;

Innes emphasised the importance of educating both adults and children about the risks and dangers of the internet, as there are individuals with malicious intent present online.

According to the company website, “It's common knowledge that the Dark &amp; Deep webs are not safe marketplaces for carrying out nefarious deeds. These sites are often fraught with potential risks, including viruses, and fraud is rampant. There's no guarantee of privacy, and your information could be leaked to less than reputable websites, including law enforcement agencies, and that's no fun!”

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It added, “The good news is that RENT-A-HITMAN is a safe and secure option that's easily accessible on the World Wide Web. We place great importance on maintaining the confidentiality of our clients and ensuring their privacy is protected under HIPPA, the Hitman Information Privacy &amp; Protection Act of 1964.”

In a conversation with the People website, Innes, last year said, "There's a lot of beneficial information that can be shared to tell adults and children that the internet is certainly not a safe place."&nbsp;

"There are bad people out there," he added.&nbsp;

In a shocking incident that unfolded in the US state of Iowa, a 17-year-old girl was arrested by a police officer for approaching an online site requesting the murder of a seven-year-old child.

In a shocking incident that unfolded in the US state of Iowa, a 17-year-old girl was arrested by a police officer for approaching an online site requesting the murder of a seven-year-old child. As per media reports, the girl allegedly attempted to hire a hitman to kill the child. In order to do that, the girl used a fake website called RentAHitman.com. She was not aware that the online portal was in fact a parody site. Also Read | Meta teases AI features into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp for billions of users The girl provided the child's name and location on the website. This led the website owner to contact the police. Later, an undercover officer posing as a hitman contacted the girl, leading to her arrest. She is now facing a felony charge of solicitation to commit murder. Also Read | Deserted dystopia: Chinese city evacuated after cracks appear near high-rises Due to being a minor, her name has been withheld from making it public. What is RentAHitman.com website? RentAHitman.com was originally created by Bob Innes, an IT programmer. The website was initially launched as a humorous way to advertise a computer security company he started with his college friends, as per the KCCI media portal. The website's purpose was to highlight the dangers of the Dark and Deep web. The portal's motto was to warn people against engaging in illegal activities online. However, the site gained attention from individuals seeking to hire hitmen or become one themselves. Watch | Sunak-Biden Meet: 'Atlantic declaration' seen as a counter to Russia and China × Realising the misuse of the website, Innes began forwarding suspicious requests to the police. This proactive approach led to the arrest of the 17-year-old girl. Innes emphasised the importance of educating both adults and children about the risks and dangers of the internet, as there are individuals with malicious intent present online. According to the company website, “It's common knowledge that the Dark & Deep webs are not safe marketplaces for carrying out nefarious deeds. These sites are often fraught with potential risks, including viruses, and fraud is rampant. There's no guarantee of privacy, and your information could be leaked to less than reputable websites, including law enforcement agencies, and that's no fun!” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. × It added, “The good news is that RENT-A-HITMAN is a safe and secure option that's easily accessible on the World Wide Web. We place great importance on maintaining the confidentiality of our clients and ensuring their privacy is protected under HIPPA, the Hitman Information Privacy & Protection Act of 1964.” In a conversation with the People website, Innes, last year said, "There's a lot of beneficial information that can be shared to tell adults and children that the internet is certainly not a safe place." "There are bad people out there," he added.

Iowa: Minor tries to rent hitman to kill child, gets caught on parody site

As the race for the 2024 Presidential elections heats up, Republican candidates are stepping up to appeal to the voters. At an event organised in the state of Iowa, multiple Republican presidential hopefuls gave their arguments as to why they are the best alternative to lead the United States. The event was known as 'Roast and Ride' in Des Moines organised by the local senator. Now big Republican names like Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Mike Pence, were present at the event.

Republican candidates appeal to voters with a 'Roast and Ride,' event in Iowa, US

Authorities in Davenport, Iowa in the US said on Tuesday (May 30) that five people may be missing after the partial collapse of an apartment building on Sunday and that two of them may still be in the rubble. Although the authorities said on Monday that they were wrapping up rescue operations in order to start demolishing the building, discovery of a resident still in the building on Monday forced change in plans. They said that experts were being consulted to decide about rescue operation now.

On Tuesday, hundreds of people protested outside the building and insisted that there were still people under the rubble who needed to be rescued.

According to reports in the local media, a man even pushed through a police barricade on Tuesday, saying that he wanted to conduct his own search. He was escorted out of the cordoned-off zone.

The part of the six-story building located at 324 Main Stret collapsed at 5 pm on Sunday. Tonnes of debris fell, tearing down rows of apartments. The building was evacuated soon after that.

According to The Des Moines Register, a local news outlet, Fire Chief Michael Carlston said on Monday that “no known individuals are trapped." On Tuesday, city Fire Marshal James Morris said that rescuers believed they had carried out a thorough search.

“We had no indications from any of the responders that we had, any of the K9s, any of the tools at the time” that there was anyone else left alive in the building," Morris said, as quoted by The Des Moines Examiner.

<h2>Plans change</h2>

On Tuesday however, officials considered the possibility of at least two residents (Branden Colvin and Ryan Hitchcock) being under the rubble.

“This could be a place of rest for some of the unaccounted," said Mayor Mike Matson.

Engineers have warned that what remains of the building, the structure, is in precarious condition and that further search is dangerous. However, Morris said that the rescuers are looking at carrying out the search anyway.

"It is our goal to be able to conduct a search for additional occupants and any pets that still remain inside," he said. "We are currently working with technical rescue teams to determine the best options to provide an additional search."

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Authorities in Davenport, Iowa in the US said on Tuesday (May 30) that five people may be missing after the partial collapse of an apartment building on Sunday and that two of them may still be in the rubble.

Authorities in Davenport, Iowa in the US said on Tuesday (May 30) that five people may be missing after the partial collapse of an apartment building on Sunday and that two of them may still be in the rubble. Although the authorities said on Monday that they were wrapping up rescue operations in order to start demolishing the building, discovery of a resident still in the building on Monday forced change in plans. They said that experts were being consulted to decide about rescue operation now. On Tuesday, hundreds of people protested outside the building and insisted that there were still people under the rubble who needed to be rescued. According to reports in the local media, a man even pushed through a police barricade on Tuesday, saying that he wanted to conduct his own search. He was escorted out of the cordoned-off zone. The part of the six-story building located at 324 Main Stret collapsed at 5 pm on Sunday. Tonnes of debris fell, tearing down rows of apartments. The building was evacuated soon after that. According to The Des Moines Register, a local news outlet, Fire Chief Michael Carlston said on Monday that “no known individuals are trapped." On Tuesday, city Fire Marshal James Morris said that rescuers believed they had carried out a thorough search. “We had no indications from any of the responders that we had, any of the K9s, any of the tools at the time” that there was anyone else left alive in the building," Morris said, as quoted by The Des Moines Examiner. Plans change On Tuesday however, officials considered the possibility of at least two residents (Branden Colvin and Ryan Hitchcock) being under the rubble. “This could be a place of rest for some of the unaccounted," said Mayor Mike Matson. Engineers have warned that what remains of the building, the structure, is in precarious condition and that further search is dangerous. However, Morris said that the rescuers are looking at carrying out the search anyway. "It is our goal to be able to conduct a search for additional occupants and any pets that still remain inside," he said. "We are currently working with technical rescue teams to determine the best options to provide an additional search." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

At least two persons may be under rubble of collapsed building: Iowa officials

Multiple people were stabbed near the University of Iowa campus on Saturday morning, even as police are on the lookout for the suspect.

The incident took place at 2.08 am (local time) after the varsity issued an alert about a stabbing near a gas station and community recreation area near S&nbsp;Gilbert Street. By 2:27 a.m., the police department confirmed multiple victims.

The condition of the victims is yet to be known, and the enforcement agencies have urged students to avoid the area of the incident. Moreover, there is no confirmation or report of any fatalities.

"Multiple victims confirmed. Police are searching for a suspect," officials said on&nbsp;Twitter.

It is not known if the victims were students, but a representative from the Iowa City Police Department told ABC News that the injured were “about that age."

"ICPD continues to investigate. The incident appears isolated. Resume normal activity but remain vigilant," the school said in an alert.

The school has urged residents to share any information about the incident with the Iowa City Police Department.

The incident follows a series of&nbsp;deadly stabbings&nbsp;at the University of California, Davis. Prosecutors charged a former student this week for the stabbings which left two dead and injured one.

This is a developing story. More updates will follow

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Multiple people were stabbed near the University of Iowa campus on Saturday morning, even as police are on the lookout for the suspect. The incident took place at 2.

Multiple people were stabbed near the University of Iowa campus on Saturday morning, even as police are on the lookout for the suspect. The incident took place at 2.08 am (local time) after the varsity issued an alert about a stabbing near a gas station and community recreation area near S Gilbert Street. By 2:27 a.m., the police department confirmed multiple victims. The condition of the victims is yet to be known, and the enforcement agencies have urged students to avoid the area of the incident. Moreover, there is no confirmation or report of any fatalities. "Multiple victims confirmed. Police are searching for a suspect," officials said on Twitter. It is not known if the victims were students, but a representative from the Iowa City Police Department told ABC News that the injured were “about that age." "ICPD continues to investigate. The incident appears isolated. Resume normal activity but remain vigilant," the school said in an alert. The school has urged residents to share any information about the incident with the Iowa City Police Department. The incident follows a series of deadly stabbings at the University of California, Davis. Prosecutors charged a former student this week for the stabbings which left two dead and injured one. This is a developing story. More updates will follow WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Multiple people stabbed near Iowa university, police initiate manhunt to nab suspect

Lawmakers in USA's Iowa state senate on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that allows minors to work longer hours and&nbsp;serve alcohol in restaurants, which is banned under current labour laws. The bill passed 32-17 with most Republicans supporting it barring two.&nbsp;

Sens. Charlie McClintock and Jeff Taylor protested against the legislation and joined the Democratic party in the opposition. Under the bill's language, minors between 16 and 17 will be allowed to work till 9:00 pm during the school year and until 11:00 pm over the summer. Kids in the same age bracket can serve alcohol at restaurants if their parents sign a declaration, granting them permission.&nbsp;

Additionally, the bill states that anyone under the age of 18 can do 'light' assembly line or packaging work s long as machines are not involved. It prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from any mining or manufacturing work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-begins-crackdown-against-child-labour-566870">WATCH |&nbsp;US&nbsp;begins crackdown against child labour</a>

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To become a law, the bill will have to be passed by the House, which may not be a big issue since it is controlled by the Republicans. Afterwards, Governor Kim Reynolds will have to approve the law and she appears to be in its favour.&nbsp;

“Ultimately, parents and kids will decide if they want to work or not. It teaches the kids a lot. And if they have the time to do it and they want to earn some additional money, I don’t think we should discourage that," said Reynolds.&nbsp;

<h2>Democrats against the legislation&nbsp;</h2>

Democrats have staunchly protested against the legislation saying it will endanger children by allowing them to work in dangerous fields.&nbsp;

“No Iowa teenager should be working in America’s deadliest jobs.&nbsp;Iowa Republican politicians want to solve the...workforce crisis on the literal backs of children," said&nbsp;Zach Wahls, the senate minority leader.&nbsp;

The Democrats attempted to include additional amendments to the bill like offering additional workers' compensation benefits to any teen that got injured on the job but could not be successful.&nbsp;

"Every parent wants their kids to grow up with every opportunity to succeed, not risk an early death by working in dangerous jobs.The legislation passed by the Senate tonight is every parent's worst nightmare," Charlie Wishman, the president of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO was quoted as saying by Insider.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-moves-to-contain-alarming-increase-in-child-labour-566778">ALSO READ |&nbsp;US moves to contain 'alarming' increase in child labour</a>

Since 2018, the number of illegally employed minors has increased by two-thirds in the USA. This uptick in child labour coincided with the massive influx of unaccompanied children trying to escape poverty and violence in Latin America. In the last fiscal year alone, 130,000 children were referred to US government shelters.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Lawmakers in USA's Iowa state senate on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that allows minors to work longer hours and serve alcohol in restaurants, which is banned under current labour laws.

Lawmakers in USA's Iowa state senate on Tuesday passed a controversial bill that allows minors to work longer hours and serve alcohol in restaurants, which is banned under current labour laws. The bill passed 32-17 with most Republicans supporting it barring two. Sens. Charlie McClintock and Jeff Taylor protested against the legislation and joined the Democratic party in the opposition. Under the bill's language, minors between 16 and 17 will be allowed to work till 9:00 pm during the school year and until 11:00 pm over the summer. Kids in the same age bracket can serve alcohol at restaurants if their parents sign a declaration, granting them permission. Additionally, the bill states that anyone under the age of 18 can do 'light' assembly line or packaging work s long as machines are not involved. It prohibits 14 and 15-year-olds from any mining or manufacturing work. WATCH | US begins crackdown against child labour × To become a law, the bill will have to be passed by the House, which may not be a big issue since it is controlled by the Republicans. Afterwards, Governor Kim Reynolds will have to approve the law and she appears to be in its favour. “Ultimately, parents and kids will decide if they want to work or not. It teaches the kids a lot. And if they have the time to do it and they want to earn some additional money, I don’t think we should discourage that," said Reynolds. Democrats against the legislation Democrats have staunchly protested against the legislation saying it will endanger children by allowing them to work in dangerous fields. “No Iowa teenager should be working in America’s deadliest jobs. Iowa Republican politicians want to solve the...workforce crisis on the literal backs of children," said Zach Wahls, the senate minority leader. The Democrats attempted to include additional amendments to the bill like offering additional workers' compensation benefits to any teen that got injured on the job but could not be successful. "Every parent wants their kids to grow up with every opportunity to succeed, not risk an early death by working in dangerous jobs.The legislation passed by the Senate tonight is every parent's worst nightmare," Charlie Wishman, the president of the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO was quoted as saying by Insider. ALSO READ | US moves to contain 'alarming' increase in child labour Since 2018, the number of illegally employed minors has increased by two-thirds in the USA. This uptick in child labour coincided with the massive influx of unaccompanied children trying to escape poverty and violence in Latin America. In the last fiscal year alone, 130,000 children were referred to US government shelters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Iowa passes controversial bill to allow teens to work longer hours, serve alcohol

Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims. The move has received criticism from certain victim advocates.&nbsp;Abortion rights in the United States have been a highly contentious and divisive issue for decades.&nbsp;

State law is currently obligated to cover expenditures for sexual assault victims who seek medical attention. This includes expenses such as the cost of forensic examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Iowa, reports AP.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uae-envoy-abdulnasser-alshaali-praises-indias-g20-leadership-says-honored-by-new-delhis-invitation-580566">UAE envoy Abdulnasser Alshaali praises India's G20 leadership, says honoured by New Delhi's invitation</a>

The so-called morning-after pill, Plan B, and other contraceptive methods were covered by Iowa's victim compensation fund when Tom Miller, a Democrat, served as attorney general.

According to a spokesperson for Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who won the election in November by defeating Miller's quest for an additional term, those payments have been put on hold while a review of victim services is being conducted.

“As a part of her top-down, bottom-up audit of victim assistance, Attorney General Bird is carefully evaluating whether this is an appropriate use of public funds,” Bird Press Secretary Alyssa Brouillet said in a statement.&nbsp;

“Until that review is complete, payment of these pending claims will be delayed.”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-injured-in-shooting-at-christiana-mall-in-us-state-of-delaware-police-580564">Three injured in shooting at Christiana Mall in US state of Delaware: Police</a>

Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, condemned the move and termed it “deplorable and reprehensible.”

Bird's decision comes after a Texas judge on Friday halted the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. As per court documents, the 67-page ruling by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas allows the Joe Biden administration one week to appeal the decision.&nbsp;

The judgement was made almost simultaneously with an opposite order by US District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington, D.C.

World at War | Russia welcomes Finland's NATO membership with nuclear Iskander missiles

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This comes about a year after the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and restricted access to abortion nationwide.

There have been numerous legal challenges to abortion rights, and the issue continues to be a hotly debated topic in American politics.&nbsp;According to President Joseph Biden, his government will challenge the Texas verdict.

Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, who served as director of the victim assistance division under Miller, said, “My concern is for the victims of sexual assault, who, with no real notice, are now finding themselves either unable to access needed treatment and services, or are now being forced to pay out of their own pocket for those services, when this was done at no fault of their own,” she said.

Currently, the legal status of abortion varies from state to state. Individual US states have the power to regulate and restrict access to abortion services. Some states have passed laws that require restrictions on the use of public funds for abortion, while others have passed laws that effectively ban abortion altogether. 
 
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Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims.

Iowa's Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped state coverage for emergency contraception and, in some instances, abortions to sexual assault victims. The move has received criticism from certain victim advocates. Abortion rights in the United States have been a highly contentious and divisive issue for decades. State law is currently obligated to cover expenditures for sexual assault victims who seek medical attention. This includes expenses such as the cost of forensic examinations and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Iowa, reports AP. Also Read | UAE envoy Abdulnasser Alshaali praises India's G20 leadership, says honoured by New Delhi's invitation The so-called morning-after pill, Plan B, and other contraceptive methods were covered by Iowa's victim compensation fund when Tom Miller, a Democrat, served as attorney general. According to a spokesperson for Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird, who won the election in November by defeating Miller's quest for an additional term, those payments have been put on hold while a review of victim services is being conducted. “As a part of her top-down, bottom-up audit of victim assistance, Attorney General Bird is carefully evaluating whether this is an appropriate use of public funds,” Bird Press Secretary Alyssa Brouillet said in a statement. “Until that review is complete, payment of these pending claims will be delayed.” Also Read | Three injured in shooting at Christiana Mall in US state of Delaware: Police Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, condemned the move and termed it “deplorable and reprehensible.” Bird's decision comes after a Texas judge on Friday halted the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. As per court documents, the 67-page ruling by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas allows the Joe Biden administration one week to appeal the decision. The judgement was made almost simultaneously with an opposite order by US District Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington, D.C. World at War | Russia welcomes Finland's NATO membership with nuclear Iskander missiles × This comes about a year after the US Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade and restricted access to abortion nationwide. There have been numerous legal challenges to abortion rights, and the issue continues to be a hotly debated topic in American politics. According to President Joseph Biden, his government will challenge the Texas verdict. Sandi Tibbetts Murphy, who served as director of the victim assistance division under Miller, said, “My concern is for the victims of sexual assault, who, with no real notice, are now finding themselves either unable to access needed treatment and services, or are now being forced to pay out of their own pocket for those services, when this was done at no fault of their own,” she said. Currently, the legal status of abortion varies from state to state. Individual US states have the power to regulate and restrict access to abortion services. Some states have passed laws that require restrictions on the use of public funds for abortion, while others have passed laws that effectively ban abortion altogether. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Iowa won’t pay for rape victims’ abortions, emergency contraceptives

Another round of powerful storms, and tornadoes is set to hit the midwest and south in the us, days after 32 people were killed. Hem Soraya brings you the report.

Severe storms including hail tornadoes hit midwest & south

Louisiana State University blew past the University of Iowa and national player of the year Caitlin Clark 102-85 on Sunday to win the coveted women's NCAA collegiate basketball crown.

LSU scored the most points in the history of the women's title game, an early three-point barrage staking them to a 17-point halftime lead.

Jasmine Carson led the Tigers with 22 points, 21 of them in the first half, while Alexis Morris scored all 16 of hers after the break.

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Star center Angel Reese scored 15 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out five assists and was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

Reese, who set a record with 34 double-doubles during the season, wasn't shy about celebrating as the final moments ticked off in a game that saw LSU coach Kim Mulkey earn her sixth championship as a player or coach -- her fourth as a head coach after she led Baylor to titles in 2005, 2012 and 2019.

Clark had shot to prominence with a 41-point triple-double in a victory over Louisville and followed that up with another 41-point outburst on Friday as the Hawkeyes stunned the unbeaten South Carolina Gamecocks to reach the final.

Reese and Clark had helped drive massive interest, the womens' final drawing a sell-out crowd of 19,482 in Dallas.

But it was Carson who took charge early. She finished with five of Louisiana State's 11 three-pointers.

LSU also out-rebounded Iowa 37-26, their 14 offensive rebounds resulting in 14 second-chance points and Clark's 30 points just weren't enough.

Reese's "you can't see me" taunting of Clark in the waning seconds sparked criticism but Clark, a notorious trash-talker herself, insisted she wasn't aware.

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Louisiana State University blew past the University of Iowa and national player of the year Caitlin Clark 102-85 on Sunday to win the coveted women's NCAA collegiate basketball crown.

Louisiana State University blew past the University of Iowa and national player of the year Caitlin Clark 102-85 on Sunday to win the coveted women's NCAA collegiate basketball crown. LSU scored the most points in the history of the women's title game, an early three-point barrage staking them to a 17-point halftime lead. Jasmine Carson led the Tigers with 22 points, 21 of them in the first half, while Alexis Morris scored all 16 of hers after the break. Also Read: Golf: Brooks Koepka wins second LIV Golf title with win in Orlando Star center Angel Reese scored 15 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out five assists and was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player. Reese, who set a record with 34 double-doubles during the season, wasn't shy about celebrating as the final moments ticked off in a game that saw LSU coach Kim Mulkey earn her sixth championship as a player or coach -- her fourth as a head coach after she led Baylor to titles in 2005, 2012 and 2019. Clark had shot to prominence with a 41-point triple-double in a victory over Louisville and followed that up with another 41-point outburst on Friday as the Hawkeyes stunned the unbeaten South Carolina Gamecocks to reach the final. Reese and Clark had helped drive massive interest, the womens' final drawing a sell-out crowd of 19,482 in Dallas. But it was Carson who took charge early. She finished with five of Louisiana State's 11 three-pointers. LSU also out-rebounded Iowa 37-26, their 14 offensive rebounds resulting in 14 second-chance points and Clark's 30 points just weren't enough. Reese's "you can't see me" taunting of Clark in the waning seconds sparked criticism but Clark, a notorious trash-talker herself, insisted she wasn't aware. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NCAA BK Women: LSU downs Iowa, player of the year Caitlin Clark to win maiden national title

School shooting in Iowa:&nbsp;The year 2023 has barely started and the US is already surrounded by gloomy clouds of mass shootings and school shootings that again raise the question of&nbsp;its controversial gun laws. In a recent incident in Iowa state of the US, two students were fatally shot Monday at a charter school in the state.&nbsp;Earlier at the Lunar New Year Day celebrations in the US, an Asian man broke into an event in California and opened fire at people celebrating the day.&nbsp;

In the Des Moines charter school, Iowa, two teenage students were killed and a man was seriously injured on Monday afternoon in what police said looked&nbsp;like a targeted shooting.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the school shooting in Iowa so far?</h2>

The school was running an educational programme that was designed especially to keep at-risk youth away from trouble and the injured man was identified as the programme's founder. The man was a rapper who left a life of gangs and violence to dedicate the rest of his life to&nbsp;helping youth in Des Moines. Police said on Monday that one man had been charged in the shooting, and two other people remain in custody.&nbsp;

The 49-year-old injured man, William Holmes was running&nbsp;an educational programme called, the Starts Right Here program. It helps at-risk youth in grades 9-12 and is affiliated with the Des Moines school district.

The two students that got killed in the shooting are both male, aged 18 and 16. Authorities said that the shooting was the result of an ongoing gang dispute.&nbsp;

"The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random. There was nothing random about this", Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

<h2>18-year-old Preston Walls, the accused of the Des Moines shooting</h2>

Police arrested an 18-year-old teenager, Preston Walls and charged him with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was also charged with criminal gang participation.&nbsp;Police said Walls was on supervised release for a weapons charge and had removed his ankle monitor 16 minutes before the shooting.&nbsp;

Police said Walls and all three victims were at the school on Monday when Walls entered a common area where Holmes and the two students were. Walls had a 9mm handgun with an extended ammunition magazine in his possession, police said, though they did not specify if he was displaying the weapon.

<h2>What happened at the Des Moines, Iowa school?</h2>

Holmes attempted to escort Walls away from the scene, but Walls pulled the handgun and began to shoot both teenage victims, according to police. Holmes, who was standing nearby, was also shot, and Walls fled the scene.

Officers on the scene observed a suspicious vehicle fleeing the scene and tried to stop the vehicle. However, Walls fled and was apprehended shortly afterwards. A 9mm handgun was discovered nearby, according to police. Three rounds were in the ammunition magazine, which had a capacity of 31 rounds.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said the people in the vehicle with Walls are also teenagers.

The emergency crews were called to the school immediately. When officers arrived and found two students critically injured, they started CPR right away, but the two students died at a hospital.

<h2>Last year also, Des Moines saw such an incident&nbsp;</h2>

One student was killed and two other teens were seriously injured in a separate shooting outside a Des Moines high school last March. Ten people were charged after the shooting, all of whom were between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time. Five of them have pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting.

&nbsp;

School shooting in Iowa: The year 2023 has barely started and the US is already surrounded by gloomy clouds of mass shootings and school shootings that again raise the question of its controversial gun laws.

School shooting in Iowa: The year 2023 has barely started and the US is already surrounded by gloomy clouds of mass shootings and school shootings that again raise the question of its controversial gun laws. In a recent incident in Iowa state of the US, two students were fatally shot Monday at a charter school in the state. Earlier at the Lunar New Year Day celebrations in the US, an Asian man broke into an event in California and opened fire at people celebrating the day. In the Des Moines charter school, Iowa, two teenage students were killed and a man was seriously injured on Monday afternoon in what police said looked like a targeted shooting. What do we know about the school shooting in Iowa so far? The school was running an educational programme that was designed especially to keep at-risk youth away from trouble and the injured man was identified as the programme's founder. The man was a rapper who left a life of gangs and violence to dedicate the rest of his life to helping youth in Des Moines. Police said on Monday that one man had been charged in the shooting, and two other people remain in custody. The 49-year-old injured man, William Holmes was running an educational programme called, the Starts Right Here program. It helps at-risk youth in grades 9-12 and is affiliated with the Des Moines school district. The two students that got killed in the shooting are both male, aged 18 and 16. Authorities said that the shooting was the result of an ongoing gang dispute. "The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random. There was nothing random about this", Sgt. Paul Parizek said. 18-year-old Preston Walls, the accused of the Des Moines shooting Police arrested an 18-year-old teenager, Preston Walls and charged him with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He was also charged with criminal gang participation. Police said Walls was on supervised release for a weapons charge and had removed his ankle monitor 16 minutes before the shooting. Police said Walls and all three victims were at the school on Monday when Walls entered a common area where Holmes and the two students were. Walls had a 9mm handgun with an extended ammunition magazine in his possession, police said, though they did not specify if he was displaying the weapon. What happened at the Des Moines, Iowa school? Holmes attempted to escort Walls away from the scene, but Walls pulled the handgun and began to shoot both teenage victims, according to police. Holmes, who was standing nearby, was also shot, and Walls fled the scene. Officers on the scene observed a suspicious vehicle fleeing the scene and tried to stop the vehicle. However, Walls fled and was apprehended shortly afterwards. A 9mm handgun was discovered nearby, according to police. Three rounds were in the ammunition magazine, which had a capacity of 31 rounds. Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said the people in the vehicle with Walls are also teenagers. The emergency crews were called to the school immediately. When officers arrived and found two students critically injured, they started CPR right away, but the two students died at a hospital. Last year also, Des Moines saw such an incident One student was killed and two other teens were seriously injured in a separate shooting outside a Des Moines high school last March. Ten people were charged after the shooting, all of whom were between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time. Five of them have pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting.

Iowa school shooting: 2 Des Moines students killed, 1 official injured; what we know so far

Now with a snowstorm taking over the United States, many are warned to avoid traveling and have been advised to stay indoors but a reporter did not expect this of all times to be reporting about the weather.

US: IOWA sports reporter goes viral after being made weather reporter

IOWA sports reporter goes viral after being made weather reporter

With the snowstorm taking over the US, many want to avoid travelling and stay indoors but a reporter didn't expect this of all times to be reporting about weather. Watch the sports reporter fluster as he becomes the weather reporter for a day.

US: Iowa sports reporter goes viral for 'cranky reporting' after being made to read weather report

A video of sports reporter in the US has gone viral on social media platforms after he went on a lengthy rant when asked to cover the extreme weather conditions, currently prevailing across the USA.

A video of sports reporter in the US has gone viral on social media platforms after he went on a lengthy rant when asked to cover the extreme weather conditions, currently prevailing across the USA. Mark Woodley, a journalist who usually covers sports for KWWL news channel in Waterloo, Iowa was sent out to cover the snowstorm. While most would have put their brave face on and reported on the event, the bone-freezing conditions appear to have made Woodley, a little bit cranky. Safe to say, the reporter did not want to work on a chilly Thursday morning. Wearing winter gear and standing in the middle of an Arctic blitz, Woodley had a grimace on his face from the beginning. When the studio anchor asked Woodley how he was doing, the sports anchor had a rather amusing answer to it. "Again, the same way I felt when you asked me this question eight minutes ago," said Woodley. "I usually do sports, but everything here is canceled for the next couple days, so what better time to ask the sports guy to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up, go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same," added the annoyed journalist. The quotable quips continued to roll out as Woodley said he had both good and bad news with him during the reporting. "I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that I can still feel my face. The bad news is I kind of wish I couldn't." This is what you get when you ask the sports guy to come in to cover a blizzard in the morning show. pic.twitter.com/h0RL9tVQqg — Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) December 22, 2022 × "This is a really long show. Tune in for the next couple hours to watch me progressively get crankier and crankier." Despite his obvious irritation at being asked to report from the field, Woodley managed to complete the shift. However, as the sun was coming up, Woodley jokingly requested to have his old job back. “Can I go back to my regular job? I’m pretty sure, Ryan, you guys added an extra hour to the show just because somebody likes torturing me. Compared to two and a half hours ago, it is just getting colder and colder.” Read more: US: More than 4,400 flights cancelled on Friday as travellers face harrowing Christmas week Extreme weather across the country disrupted the power lines of more than 1.25 million homes and businesses across the southern and eastern US on Friday morning. The largest power outage was in North Carolina, where more than 150,000 people were without power. Latest reports have suggested that 12 people have died due to the bomb cyclone. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Hilarious and painful: WATCH this sports reporter complain about being sent out to cover US snowstorm

Two high school students in Iowa (US) killed their Spanish teacher in retaliation over a poor grade she gave one of the students in her class, prosecutors said in court documents on Tuesday. The duo is being tried as adults.

For the first time since Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale were apprehended and accused of killing their 66-year-old teacher Nohema Graber in the little hamlet of Fairfield on November 2, 2021, the new information provided insight into a potential reason.

On the afternoon of her death, Miller and Graber had a meeting at Fairfield High School to address his subpar grade in her class, according to the investigation.

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Later that day, according to officials, the teacher drove her vehicle to a park where she was known to go for daily walks after school.

Graber's brutally battered body was discovered in the park the next day, concealed behind a tarp, a wheelbarrow, and railroad ties.

Investigators think that Miller and Goodale, both 16 at the time, beat the victim to death with a baseball bat and boasted about it online.

Miller admitted to the police that he had been unhappy with the way Graber had taught Spanish and that the poor grade she had given him had hurt his GPA as a whole.

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“The poor grade is believed to be the motive behind the murder of Graber which directly connects Miller,” court documents filed by Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown said.

A "roving group of masked teenagers" killed Graber and compelled Miller to dispose of the body, according to court papers. Although Miller initially claimed he had no knowledge of what had happened, he later "said he had information of everything but did not participate."

<img alt="TEACHER" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27f77630-e31f-4338-96fd-ec4352d5015a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Teacher_Death-Teens_Charged.jpg" />

Nohema Graber’s body was found under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties. Photo credits: AP

Less than an hour after the instructor arrived, observers saw two guys driving Graber's vehicle out of the park. According to detectives, the two adolescent males were found walking down the same route as the vehicle, which had been abandoned at the end of a rural road.

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On Snapchat, Goodale reportedly boasted to a friend about the murder. A witness submitted images of a Snapchat discussion in which the adolescent specifically accused himself and Miller of being responsible for the murder of Graber.

However, according to Miller's attorney Christine Branstad, four search warrants were improperly obtained. She is requesting that the court invalidate all four of them and suppress evidence from Snapchat as well as from her client's home, statements he made to the police, and data gleaned from his phone.

On Wednesday, a judge will hear arguments to determine whether to suppress any of the evidence.

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Two high school students in Iowa (US) killed their Spanish teacher in retaliation over a poor grade she gave one of the students in her class, prosecutors said in court documents on Tuesday.

Two high school students in Iowa (US) killed their Spanish teacher in retaliation over a poor grade she gave one of the students in her class, prosecutors said in court documents on Tuesday. The duo is being tried as adults. For the first time since Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale were apprehended and accused of killing their 66-year-old teacher Nohema Graber in the little hamlet of Fairfield on November 2, 2021, the new information provided insight into a potential reason. On the afternoon of her death, Miller and Graber had a meeting at Fairfield High School to address his subpar grade in her class, according to the investigation. Also read | US: Parkland school mass shooter sentenced to life in prison without parole Later that day, according to officials, the teacher drove her vehicle to a park where she was known to go for daily walks after school. Graber's brutally battered body was discovered in the park the next day, concealed behind a tarp, a wheelbarrow, and railroad ties. Investigators think that Miller and Goodale, both 16 at the time, beat the victim to death with a baseball bat and boasted about it online. Miller admitted to the police that he had been unhappy with the way Graber had taught Spanish and that the poor grade she had given him had hurt his GPA as a whole. Also read | Suspect in attack on Pelosi’s husband pleads not guilty in San Francisco court “The poor grade is believed to be the motive behind the murder of Graber which directly connects Miller,” court documents filed by Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown said. A "roving group of masked teenagers" killed Graber and compelled Miller to dispose of the body, according to court papers. Although Miller initially claimed he had no knowledge of what had happened, he later "said he had information of everything but did not participate." Nohema Graber’s body was found under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties. Photo credits: AP Less than an hour after the instructor arrived, observers saw two guys driving Graber's vehicle out of the park. According to detectives, the two adolescent males were found walking down the same route as the vehicle, which had been abandoned at the end of a rural road. Also watch | Joe Biden: Future of democracy at risk in next week's midterms On Snapchat, Goodale reportedly boasted to a friend about the murder. A witness submitted images of a Snapchat discussion in which the adolescent specifically accused himself and Miller of being responsible for the murder of Graber. However, according to Miller's attorney Christine Branstad, four search warrants were improperly obtained. She is requesting that the court invalidate all four of them and suppress evidence from Snapchat as well as from her client's home, statements he made to the police, and data gleaned from his phone. On Wednesday, a judge will hear arguments to determine whether to suppress any of the evidence. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US teens who killed their Spanish teacher over poor grade go into trial as adults

A US teenager who was also a victim of human trafficking was given a five-year prison term and ordered to pay $150,000 (£130,350) to the family of the alleged rapist.&nbsp;

When Pieper Lewis was allegedly raped in June 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa, she was only 15 years old. The now-17-year-old was accused of killing 37-year-old Zachary Brooks.&nbsp;

Later, she entered a guilty plea to deliberate injury and involuntary manslaughter, each of which carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

On Tuesday, Polk County District Judge David M Porter sentenced Lewis to five years of closely monitored probation and ordered her to pay $150,000 in compensation to Brooks' family. If she breaks the terms of her probation, she might receive a 20-year sentence.

"This court is presented with no other option," Judge Porter remarked in reference to the payment to the alleged rapist's estate.&nbsp;

The girl recalled how the 28-year-old had held her at knifepoint and had her accompany Brooks to his residence. She claimed to have stabbed Brooks in a fit of rage after he had raped her once more, taking a knife from the bedside table, according to the authorities.

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Iowa is a state without safe harbour laws, which provide victims of human trafficking with some level of criminal immunity. Additionally, the prosecution claimed that Lewis' guilty plea waived any affirmative defences.

A plan to establish a safe harbour statute for victims of human trafficking had passed the Iowa House earlier this year, according to Karl Schilling of the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance, but it had stuck in the Senate due to worries from law enforcement groups that it was too broad.

(with inputs from agencies)

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A US teenager who was also a victim of human trafficking was given a five-year prison term and ordered to pay $150,000 (£130,350) to the family of the alleged rapist.

A US teenager who was also a victim of human trafficking was given a five-year prison term and ordered to pay $150,000 (£130,350) to the family of the alleged rapist. When Pieper Lewis was allegedly raped in June 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa, she was only 15 years old. The now-17-year-old was accused of killing 37-year-old Zachary Brooks. Later, she entered a guilty plea to deliberate injury and involuntary manslaughter, each of which carry a maximum 10-year prison sentence. On Tuesday, Polk County District Judge David M Porter sentenced Lewis to five years of closely monitored probation and ordered her to pay $150,000 in compensation to Brooks' family. If she breaks the terms of her probation, she might receive a 20-year sentence. "This court is presented with no other option," Judge Porter remarked in reference to the payment to the alleged rapist's estate. The girl recalled how the 28-year-old had held her at knifepoint and had her accompany Brooks to his residence. She claimed to have stabbed Brooks in a fit of rage after he had raped her once more, taking a knife from the bedside table, according to the authorities. Also Read: Before and after images show dramatic expansion of Bahrain by building land on sea: 1987 vs 2022 Iowa is a state without safe harbour laws, which provide victims of human trafficking with some level of criminal immunity. Additionally, the prosecution claimed that Lewis' guilty plea waived any affirmative defences. A plan to establish a safe harbour statute for victims of human trafficking had passed the Iowa House earlier this year, according to Karl Schilling of the Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance, but it had stuck in the Senate due to worries from law enforcement groups that it was too broad. (with inputs from agencies)

US teen who killed her rapist sentenced to 5 years in prison, ordered to pay $150,000 fine

US President Joe Biden urged lawmakers to ban privately-owned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in order to curb the mass shootings. The president said that nothing has been done after many mass shootings, but this time we must actually do something.

Two people shot at a church in Iowa: Tale of mass shooting

At least seven people were killed, including two children, in Iowa on Saturday as communities across the state were battered by what authorities said appeared to be tornadoes.

Six of the deaths occurred in Madison County, and a seventh was reported southeast of Chariton, a city in Lucas County, officials said.

In Madison County, four adults were injured, including three who were in serious condition and one who had life-threatening injuries, said Diogenes Ayala, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency.

“The best thing the community can do is just to not go to these areas,” Ayala said at a news conference late Saturday. “Let people that are living there — let them clean up. Give them some space. This is pretty devastating for our community.”

Ayala said that people should call authorities if they know someone who is missing.

The deaths in Madison County — including two children under age 5 — occurred at different locations. Ayala did not disclose more details about the deaths because some victims’ families had yet to be notified.

Ayala estimated that 25 to 30 homes had been destroyed but said a fuller assessment would come in the morning.

The National Weather Service said that a preliminary examination of photos and videos from around Winterset, a city in Madison County, suggested damage from a tornado with wind speeds of more than 135 mph.

The agency’s survey teams will further investigate the damage Sunday, officials said.

Video posted on social media and recorded south of Winterset showed the aftermath of the severe weather: piles of debris, smoke and a car flipped upside down.

Officials in Lucas County did not release details about the death there, also because family members had not been notified. Another person was seriously injured, a few had minor injuries, and four to six homes in the rural area were “majorly impacted,” Mike Lamb, emergency management coordinator for Lucas County, said late Saturday.

Tornadoes are “fairly common” in Iowa, Lamb said. “It’s not an uncommon occurrence,” he added. “But tornadoes of these magnitudes that cause damage are rare, or rarer.”

Several homes in Norwalk, about 10 miles south of Des Moines, were damaged along with the city’s public works site and some local businesses, said Shelby Hisel, a city spokesperson.

As of late Saturday, no injuries had been reported in Norwalk. Hisel was not sure whether the damage was the result of a tornado or another extreme weather event, such as high winds, and said the city would assess the damage in the morning.

The Des Moines International Airport was evacuated for more than 20 minutes as a precaution in response to a tornado warning, causing flight delays, said Kayla Kovarna, an airport spokesperson.

At least seven people were killed, including two children, in Iowa on Saturday as communities across the state were battered by what authorities said appeared to be tornadoes.

At least seven people were killed, including two children, in Iowa on Saturday as communities across the state were battered by what authorities said appeared to be tornadoes. Six of the deaths occurred in Madison County, and a seventh was reported southeast of Chariton, a city in Lucas County, officials said. In Madison County, four adults were injured, including three who were in serious condition and one who had life-threatening injuries, said Diogenes Ayala, director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency. “The best thing the community can do is just to not go to these areas,” Ayala said at a news conference late Saturday. “Let people that are living there — let them clean up. Give them some space. This is pretty devastating for our community.” Ayala said that people should call authorities if they know someone who is missing. The deaths in Madison County — including two children under age 5 — occurred at different locations. Ayala did not disclose more details about the deaths because some victims’ families had yet to be notified. Ayala estimated that 25 to 30 homes had been destroyed but said a fuller assessment would come in the morning. The National Weather Service said that a preliminary examination of photos and videos from around Winterset, a city in Madison County, suggested damage from a tornado with wind speeds of more than 135 mph. The agency’s survey teams will further investigate the damage Sunday, officials said. Video posted on social media and recorded south of Winterset showed the aftermath of the severe weather: piles of debris, smoke and a car flipped upside down. Officials in Lucas County did not release details about the death there, also because family members had not been notified. Another person was seriously injured, a few had minor injuries, and four to six homes in the rural area were “majorly impacted,” Mike Lamb, emergency management coordinator for Lucas County, said late Saturday. Tornadoes are “fairly common” in Iowa, Lamb said. “It’s not an uncommon occurrence,” he added. “But tornadoes of these magnitudes that cause damage are rare, or rarer.” Several homes in Norwalk, about 10 miles south of Des Moines, were damaged along with the city’s public works site and some local businesses, said Shelby Hisel, a city spokesperson. As of late Saturday, no injuries had been reported in Norwalk. Hisel was not sure whether the damage was the result of a tornado or another extreme weather event, such as high winds, and said the city would assess the damage in the morning. The Des Moines International Airport was evacuated for more than 20 minutes as a precaution in response to a tornado warning, causing flight delays, said Kayla Kovarna, an airport spokesperson.

At least 7 killed as powerful storms rampage across Iowa, officials say

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration. &nbsp;

Viewed as a likely 2024 presidential contender, Trump has criticised his successor's efforts to cobble together a coalition for the massive spending haul, saying the bill was "so bad". &nbsp;

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During a 'Save America' rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said on Saturday night, "It's a socialist transformation bill, it's an open borders bill, (and) it's an American energy destruction bill." &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Joe Biden and the radical Left Democrats in Congress are trying to ram through a $3.5 trillion, wild, spending binge that costs more than the entire sum the United States has spent on any war in the history of our country," the leader said. &nbsp;

"Not only is this the largest spending bill of all time, it's the largest tax hike of all time. This monstrosity is so dangerous for our country and so bad for children and grandchildren to come. This monstrosity is a bill to end America as we know it. It's so bad," the former president said.

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Suggesting Trump may take on several political opponents in 2024, the former president dropped hints about a campaign slogan, "Make America great again, again," as "America is not great right now." &nbsp;

If the former president enters the race, he would be a formidable candidate, suggests recent polling. A poll in Des Moines Register shows that Trump's approval rating has climbed to 53% in Iowa since leaving office. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration.

Continuing with long-standing criticism of the 2020 polls and attacks on political foes, former US President Donald Trump slammed President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion "socialist" spending "monstrosity" on all fronts, from economy to immigration. Viewed as a likely 2024 presidential contender, Trump has criticised his successor's efforts to cobble together a coalition for the massive spending haul, saying the bill was "so bad". Also Read: California becomes first state to ban secret removal of condom during sex During a 'Save America' rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said on Saturday night, "It's a socialist transformation bill, it's an open borders bill, (and) it's an American energy destruction bill." "Joe Biden and the radical Left Democrats in Congress are trying to ram through a $3.5 trillion, wild, spending binge that costs more than the entire sum the United States has spent on any war in the history of our country," the leader said. "Not only is this the largest spending bill of all time, it's the largest tax hike of all time. This monstrosity is so dangerous for our country and so bad for children and grandchildren to come. This monstrosity is a bill to end America as we know it. It's so bad," the former president said. Also Read | Travellers vaccinated with WHO approved Covid vaccines can enter US: CDC Suggesting Trump may take on several political opponents in 2024, the former president dropped hints about a campaign slogan, "Make America great again, again," as "America is not great right now." If the former president enters the race, he would be a formidable candidate, suggests recent polling. A poll in Des Moines Register shows that Trump's approval rating has climbed to 53% in Iowa since leaving office. (With inputs from agencies)

At Iowa rally, Trump slams Biden's 'socialist' spending package

A tight poll with just 20 days to election day, Donald Trump reached IOWA to appeal to rural voters. Thousands of largely 'MASKLESS' supporters attended Trump's 90-minute address at the Des Moines International Airport. Can Trump win IOWA again?

Can Trump close the gap with Biden? | U.S. Election 2020 New York Direct

As demand continues to surge at food banks, the federal government is preparing to spend another $1.5 billion on a program that has provided a key source of fresh food to charities this summer as they work to feed the hungry.

US: USDA starts food box programme in IOWA

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic took over the world, scientists and professionals across all fields have been focused on limiting contact among people. However, one activity which requires one’s presence for sure, at least until now, is getting testing for the virus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/us-coronavirus-extraordinarily-widespread-say-white-house-experts-317714" hreflang="en">US coronavirus 'extraordinarily widespread', say White House experts</a>

To get tested, one has to visit the local facility and get swabbed. A US university may have come up with a contact-free mode of testing, which is just as efficient as the conventional mode of testing.

Zero contact

On Friday, Iowa State University announced its engineers have been working on a no-contact, and no-touch quick test for COVID-19. This will a mail-in test, implying nobody will need to make contact with each other.

If it works, it could tremendously decrease the risk for both healthcare workers and patients alike.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/britain-to-roll-out-millions-of-90-minute-coronavirus-tests-317752" hreflang="en">Britain to roll out millions of 90-minute coronavirus tests</a>

According to the university, the kit would cost as less as $1 and would allow people to conduct nasal and cough sampling in the comfort of their homes.

The kit comes with a card on which one must spread the sample from their noses and mouths. After this, the sample would be put it an envelope which has&nbsp;an anti-virus coating.

Easy kit

Then, the kit is required to stay put for one day, and then may be shipped to a centre or delivered directly.

Once they receive the material, the unopened envelope would undergo scanning for coronavirus diagnosis. After this, everything in the envelope - including samples would be rid of in the incinerator.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/us-congress-in-position-to-spend-big-on-coronavirus-relief-federal-reserve-official-317701" hreflang="en">US Congress in position to spend big on coronavirus relief: Federal Reserve official</a>

“The unopened envelope would be scanned by an electronic reader to determine a positive or negative result. Then, that never-opened envelope, samples and all, would be dropped in the incinerator," the university’s statement said.

Once the result is ascertained, the concerned person would receive it as a text message or an email.

According to the university, the basic goal of the test is ensure there is zero contact, and no touching.

The researchers who came up with the concept received $200,000 Rapid Response Research grant from the National Science Foundation for at least a year, meaning it could be taken seriously to conduct large-scale testing in the US, if not in the world.

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic took over the world, scientists and professionals across all fields have been focused on limiting contact among people. However, one activity which requires one’s presence for sure, at least until now, is getting testing for the virus.

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic took over the world, scientists and professionals across all fields have been focused on limiting contact among people. However, one activity which requires one’s presence for sure, at least until now, is getting testing for the virus. Also read: US coronavirus 'extraordinarily widespread', say White House experts To get tested, one has to visit the local facility and get swabbed. A US university may have come up with a contact-free mode of testing, which is just as efficient as the conventional mode of testing. Zero contact On Friday, Iowa State University announced its engineers have been working on a no-contact, and no-touch quick test for COVID-19. This will a mail-in test, implying nobody will need to make contact with each other. If it works, it could tremendously decrease the risk for both healthcare workers and patients alike. Also read: Britain to roll out millions of 90-minute coronavirus tests According to the university, the kit would cost as less as $1 and would allow people to conduct nasal and cough sampling in the comfort of their homes. The kit comes with a card on which one must spread the sample from their noses and mouths. After this, the sample would be put it an envelope which has an anti-virus coating. Easy kit Then, the kit is required to stay put for one day, and then may be shipped to a centre or delivered directly. Once they receive the material, the unopened envelope would undergo scanning for coronavirus diagnosis. After this, everything in the envelope - including samples would be rid of in the incinerator. Also read: US Congress in position to spend big on coronavirus relief: Federal Reserve official “The unopened envelope would be scanned by an electronic reader to determine a positive or negative result. Then, that never-opened envelope, samples and all, would be dropped in the incinerator," the university’s statement said. Once the result is ascertained, the concerned person would receive it as a text message or an email. According to the university, the basic goal of the test is ensure there is zero contact, and no touching. The researchers who came up with the concept received $200,000 Rapid Response Research grant from the National Science Foundation for at least a year, meaning it could be taken seriously to conduct large-scale testing in the US, if not in the world.

Iowa State University in US develops a zero contact, mail-in coronavirus testing kit

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-chinas-coronavirus-crosses-900-as-who-sends-team-to-investigate-279657">Death toll in China's coronavirus crosses 900 as WHO sends team to investigate</a>

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The coronavirus death toll in China rose to above nine hundred with over 40,000 infected overtaking the global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iowa-caucus-buttigieg-takes-a-narrow-lead-over-sanders-279671" hreflang="en">Iowa caucus: Buttigieg takes a narrow lead over Sanders&nbsp;</a>

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US Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg collected 14 votes and won the tumultuous Iowa caucuses, news agency AFP reported quoting state party on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-natalie-portman-honours-women-directors-snubbed-by-the-academy-via-her-oscars-gown-279635">Natalie Portman honours women directors snubbed by Oscars with her gown</a>

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Hollywood actress Natalie Portman stunned at the Oscars red carpet as she honoured all women directors last year that failed to get recognised by The Academy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/its-like-a-dream-come-true-bangladesh-u-19-captain-akbar-ali-after-winning-world-cup-279667">'It's like a dream come true': Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali after WC victory</a>

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The Bangla Tigers have been declared the World Champions for the first time in the history of cricket.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lankan-pm-mahinda-rajapaksa-visits-holy-buddhist-sites-279605" hreflang="en">Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa visits holy Buddhist sites</a>

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Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus crosses 900 as WHO sends team to investigate The coronavirus death toll in China rose to above nine hundred with over 40,000 infected overtaking the global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Death toll in China's coronavirus crosses 900 as WHO sends team to investigate The coronavirus death toll in China rose to above nine hundred with over 40,000 infected overtaking the global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic. Iowa caucus: Buttigieg takes a narrow lead over Sanders US Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg collected 14 votes and won the tumultuous Iowa caucuses, news agency AFP reported quoting state party on Sunday. Natalie Portman honours women directors snubbed by Oscars with her gown Hollywood actress Natalie Portman stunned at the Oscars red carpet as she honoured all women directors last year that failed to get recognised by The Academy. 'It's like a dream come true': Bangladesh captain Akbar Ali after WC victory The Bangla Tigers have been declared the World Champions for the first time in the history of cricket. WATCH | Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa visits holy Buddhist sites ×

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll, Oscars and more!

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Iowa caucus</a> after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-donald-trump-us-elections-democrats-turn-focus-on-new-hampshire-after-iowa-fiasco-278593">Also Read: Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco</a>

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, was closely following Buttigieg with Elizabeth Warren in third place and Joe Biden at fourth place.

"I have never been more confident in our campaign, in our team, and in the vision that brought to us this point," Buttigieg told supporters as he took the lead.

According to the polls, Buttigieg took the lead with 26.8 per cent followed by&nbsp;Sander&nbsp;at 25.2 per cent, Elizabeth Warren had bagged 18.4 per cent and Biden, touted as a Democratic frontrunner to take on Trump in the US election, trailing in fourth position with 15.4 per cent votes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in fifth place with 12.6 per cent votes.

On Tuesday as the results were delayed, US President Donald Trump took a dig at the Democrats saying that the Democratic Party in Iowa was "really messed up".

"It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the do nothing with Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition!" he added.

On Tueday, the organizers said there were "inconsistencies" in three sets of results.

Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306"> Democratic Party</a>, said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results.

Democarts are seeking a challenger to take on Trump in the November 3 elections with several Key caucus coming up in New Hamshire.

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the Iowa caucus after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies".

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the Iowa caucus after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies". Also Read: Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, was closely following Buttigieg with Elizabeth Warren in third place and Joe Biden at fourth place. "I have never been more confident in our campaign, in our team, and in the vision that brought to us this point," Buttigieg told supporters as he took the lead. According to the polls, Buttigieg took the lead with 26.8 per cent followed by Sander at 25.2 per cent, Elizabeth Warren had bagged 18.4 per cent and Biden, touted as a Democratic frontrunner to take on Trump in the US election, trailing in fourth position with 15.4 per cent votes. Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in fifth place with 12.6 per cent votes. On Tuesday as the results were delayed, US President Donald Trump took a dig at the Democrats saying that the Democratic Party in Iowa was "really messed up". "It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the do nothing with Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition!" he added. On Tueday, the organizers said there were "inconsistencies" in three sets of results. Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party, said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results. Democarts are seeking a challenger to take on Trump in the November 3 elections with several Key caucus coming up in New Hamshire.

Iowa caucus: Pete Buttigieg takes surprise lead in Democratic race

Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2020-hillary-clinton-slams-bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-claps-back-on-twitter-275871">caucus</a>&nbsp;results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger</a>

There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting.

Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-2020-us-presidential-election-trump-accused-google-of-very-illegal-acts-241344">Democratic Party</a> said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iowa-first-cadidate-to-choose-candidate-278433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-communist-bernie-and-sleepy-joe-before-iowa-278225">Donald Trump Jr</a> slammed the reported delay.

"If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet.

Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results.

"The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added.

There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden.

Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres.

With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa".

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3. Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting. Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results. Watch Video: This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son Donald Trump Jr slammed the reported delay. "If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet. Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results. "The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added. There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden. Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres. With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa". "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'

The results of the Iowa caucuses, the first voting contest of the US 2020 presidential election season, have been delayed "due to Inconsistencies"

Results from Iowa caucuses delayed due to Inconsistencies

Americans kicked off the 2020 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2020-hillary-clinton-slams-bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-claps-back-on-twitter-275871">presidential elections</a> race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Also Read:&nbsp;Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats</a>

Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres.

The caucuses and primaries start months and sometimes years before the main elections, the candidates start their campaign trails with speeches, promises, fund raising and debates.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-all-eye-on-iowa-caucuses-2020-278397/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Above all the goal for the candidates is to convince voters that they are the right candidate in their whole party to defeat Donald Trump. It's all about winning delegates and that is done by competing in states across the country. A few states matter more than other states.

According to tradition, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-communist-bernie-and-sleepy-joe-before-iowa-278225">Iowa </a>goes first and so it becomes the most important one. After Iowa, the race moves to the next three big states - &nbsp;New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, these four states are the key to winning nominations which narrows the competition and gives the momentum to the key nominees.

So the first caucus is a big opportunity for a candidate to pull away from the rest of the pack. The key to the game is to score delegates in state after state.

There are nearly 4,000 delegates (3,979) whichever candidate wins the most of the available delegates, wins the nominations but the primary contest is not likely to end with most delegates if a rival has the campaigns, resources and the money, they can stand in the radius and fight until the end.

Vermont Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/simply-a-lie-biden-accuses-sanders-campaign-of-releasing-doctored-video-275236">Bernie Sanders</a> is in a tight race with former vice president Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are trailing behind with a close margin.

Interestingly, Sanders has never really stopped running for president since he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016, he is popular with the working class voters and calls himself a democratic socialist.

Americans kicked off the 2020 presidential elections race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs. Also Read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres.

Americans kicked off the 2020 presidential elections race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs. Also Read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres. The caucuses and primaries start months and sometimes years before the main elections, the candidates start their campaign trails with speeches, promises, fund raising and debates. Watch Video: Above all the goal for the candidates is to convince voters that they are the right candidate in their whole party to defeat Donald Trump. It's all about winning delegates and that is done by competing in states across the country. A few states matter more than other states. According to tradition, Iowa goes first and so it becomes the most important one. After Iowa, the race moves to the next three big states - New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, these four states are the key to winning nominations which narrows the competition and gives the momentum to the key nominees. So the first caucus is a big opportunity for a candidate to pull away from the rest of the pack. The key to the game is to score delegates in state after state. There are nearly 4,000 delegates (3,979) whichever candidate wins the most of the available delegates, wins the nominations but the primary contest is not likely to end with most delegates if a rival has the campaigns, resources and the money, they can stand in the radius and fight until the end. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is in a tight race with former vice president Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are trailing behind with a close margin. Interestingly, Sanders has never really stopped running for president since he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016, he is popular with the working class voters and calls himself a democratic socialist.

Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation."

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9c5b1b8-542c-457b-ba0e-be3edcf448a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN_0.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data.

"While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement.

"We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added.

'Winning organization'&nbsp;

Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign."

"We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC.

"This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added.

Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa."

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist.

Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience.

"I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard."

'Unmitigated disaster'&nbsp;

With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11.

According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent.&nbsp;

Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November.

"The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country."

Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'"

"When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said.

Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday.

According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses.

Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses.

Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump. 
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Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well." Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates." Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation." (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data. "While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement. "We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added. 'Winning organization' Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign." "We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC. "This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added. Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa." "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist. Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience. "I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard." 'Unmitigated disaster' With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11. According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent. Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November. "The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country." Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'" "When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said. Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday. According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses. Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump.

Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco

Democrats in Iowa gathered in schools, libraries and churches to decide their favourite candidates. The nominated candidates will go through the internal voting process to decide the Democracts candidate to take on Donald Trump. Watch this video to understand the concept of caucuses in the United States.

All eyes on Iowa Caucuses 2020: What is Caucuses

The Iowa Democratic Party has confirmed that the results of the Iowa caucuses, the first voting contest of the US 2020 presidential election season, have been delayed "due to quality checks".

Iowa Democratic Party delays release of results

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