U.S. states vote in crucial primaries

Five United States (U.S.) states yesterday held primaries for November’s presidential election, in a crucial round that gave Democrat and Republican front-runners a chance to cement their leads.

Polls opened in Ohio and Florida – both deemed key states – as well as in North Carolina, Illinois and Missouri.
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton hoped to fend off a challenge from her resurgent rival, Bernie Sanders.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump aimed to edge out his Republican rivals in the race.

The New York real estate mogul was the favourite to win his party’s nomination but ran into fierce opposition from within the Republican establishment, as well as facing condemnation from the Democrats.

Mr. Sanders, a Vermont senator, and Mrs. Clinton, a former Secretary of State, accused Mr. Trump of encouraging his supporters to beat up protesters, after violence broke out at a planned appearance by Mr. Trump in Chicago.

Meanwhile, Republican candidate Marco Rubio, currently in third place, said he must win in his home state of Florida in order to stop Mr. Trump from “hijacking” his party’s nomination.

Ohio Governor John Kasich also aimed for a win in his home state in order to obstruct Mr. Trump’s progress to the nomination.

Victories for any of Mr. Trump’s rivals – Mr. Rubio, Mr. Kasich, or Senator Ted Cruz of Texas – would give hope to the Republicans fighting to block him.