Voters in 22 states, including California and New York, will go to the polls next Tuesday in the biggest primary election contest of the 2008 U.S. presidential race. The outcome of many of these elections and caucuses will be shaped by Latinos. VOA's Chris Simkins reports on the impact the Hispanic vote will have in determining which candidate from the Democratic or Republican Party wins their party's presidential nomination.

Candidates in this year's presidential election are targeting the growing number of minority voters in an effort to build a winning coalition. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles, Democrats are courting African-Americans and Hispanics in California, a state where the minority vote can make a difference.

The field of U.S. presidential contenders shrank by two as Democrat John Edwards and Republican Rudy Giuliani decided to end their campaigns. Giuliani was scheduled to endorse fellow Republican John McCain at a joint appearance later in the day in California. VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone has the latest on the presidential race from Washington.

Reaction to President Bush's State of the Union address is predictably along partisan lines. Members of his Republican Party praised his leadership and the goals he proposed on domestic and foreign issues, while majority Democrats criticized him on the same issues. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

Residents in the southeastern state of Florida are voting Tuesday in a key primary for U.S. Republican presidential hopefuls. The Floriday Republican Primary is a very important step in deciding the party candidates for the U.S. Presidential elections of 2008.

After the overwhelming victory of Senator Barack Obama in the South Carolina Democratic primary Saturday, political analysts are examining the results and speculating on where the campaign goes from here. As VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Columbia, South Carolina, pundits say young voters may play a big role in determining the outcome of the next contests.

The Bush administration says the long-term outlook for the U.S. economy is bright, and steps are being taken to address short-term weakness. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Washington, some candidates in the presidential election campaign believe a stimulus package crafted by the White House and congressional leaders is either misguided or fails to address the country's most pressing needs.

Residents in South Carolina are voting in the first Democratic primary in the American South this election season.

Voters in Alabama's two coastal counties will go to the polls ahead of those in other states picking presidential favorites on Super Tuesday.

A Russian election official says former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov should be barred from the country's presidential election.

Former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee quit the race for the Republican Party's presidential nomination Tuesday after a series of disappointing finishes in the early nominating contests. Thompson's withdrawal comes as the remaining Republican contenders focus on Florida while the Democratic presidential hopefuls are preparing for Saturday's primary in South Carolina. VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more from Washington.

The U.S. ambassador to Kenya has angrily denounced print and broadcast advertisements placed by the government of President Mwai Kibaki, which accuses the United States and other Western countries of contributing to post-election violence in the country. VOA Correspondent Alisha Ryu reports from Nairobi that tension between the government and the opposition is growing.