Joe Biden claimed his first primary victory in South Carolina, a must-win state for the former vice president following disappointing performances in Iowa and New Hampshire, and a distant second-place finish in Nevada last weekend.
He has been leading polls in the state, which has the most diverse electorate yet among early primary states. Any upset would seriously damage his prospects, although he would hope to make amends when 14 more states go to the polls in four days' time on Super Tuesday.
Bernie Sanders, so far the runaway leader of the pack, is expected to finish in second place, with a surprise third for Tom Steyer, the billionaire environmental campaigner who has been courting the African American vote in South Carolina with dozens of appearances and millions spent on ads.
Following the results, he dropped out the race after not meeting a necessary threshold to receive any delegates.
South Carolina is a serious test for the other candidates as well. Pete Buttigieg is so far the leading moderate and is keen to consolidate that position at the expense of Mr Biden, Mike Bloomberg (who is not on the ballot until Super Tuesday) and Amy Klobuchar.
Elizabeth Warren, Mr Sanders' main rival for the progressive vote, hoped to see some momentum following her performance in Democratic debates after failing to break through in the previous contests. She ended up falling to fifth place in South Carolina, her worst finishing yet.
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Thousands of people have been going to the polls in South Carolina in the fourth test for the Democrats vying for the right to take on Donald Trump for the White House in November. Polls opened at 7am EST and will close at 7pm EST (midnight UK time).
Opinion polls have been putting Joe Biden, the former vice president, far ahead, meaning an upset when results are announced later would constitute a serious blow.
Three disappointing results so far – in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – have left a question mark hanging over the head of a popular figure who has been dominating the national polls for months. Bernie Sanders has become the front runner.
A poll average by Real Clear Politics puts Biden on 39.7 per cent, Sanders on 24.3, Tom Steyer on 11.7, Pete Buttigieg on 11.3, Elizabeth Warren on 6, Amy Klobuchar on 5.7 and Tulsi Gabbard on 2.3.
Three disappointing results so far – in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – have left a question mark hanging over the head of a popular figure who has been dominating the national polls for months. Bernie Sanders has become the front runner.
A poll average by Real Clear Politics puts Biden on 39.7 per cent, Sanders on 24.3, Tom Steyer on 11.7, Pete Buttigieg on 11.3, Elizabeth Warren on 6, Amy Klobuchar on 5.7 and Tulsi Gabbard on 2.3.
The primary is taking place against the background of the coronavirus crisis. Donald Trump has announced that he will hold another news conference at 1.30pm EST ( 6.30pm UK time) to discuss the latest developments.
The announcement comes after three more cases were announced in three West Coast states – California, Oregon and Washington. In all three cases, the people who tested positive had no known connection to others with the deadly virus and had not travelled to China, suggesting a wider transmission than had been previously seen.
Here's the full story:
Coronavirus transmission fears as unexplained new cases diagnosed in US
Patients are diagnosed with Covid-19 from unknown origins which suggests the virus is not containedThe president has sought to downplay the crisis, telling supporters at a rally on Friday night that it was the latest "hoax" by Democrats designed to hurt him.
John T Bennett has the full story:
John T Bennett has the full story:
Angry Trump claims Democrats using 'coronavirus hoax' to take him down, in wild rally speech
GOP senator sings along to ‘Macho Man’ with president’s supportersMeanwhile, state officials in Washington have announced the first death in the United States of someone confirmed to have coronavirus. No details were immediately announced but officials said they would hold a news conference later. The announcement came minutes before the president was expected to hold a news conference on what his government is doing to protect Americans.
More details here:
More details here:
At his presser Trump begins by congratulating all those involved in the "the endless war" in Afghanistan. He also pays tribute to those who gave their lives in the war, their families, and all those who served. Earlier in the day, in Doha, secretary of state Mike Pompeo signed the framework of a deal with the Taliban which would see the gradual withdrawal of US troops.
More details here:
More details here:
US and Taliban sign peace deal in bid to end 18-year war in Afghanistan
American and Nato troops could be completely withdrawn within 14 months under new agreement
"Everyone is tired of war," says Trump.
Trump says his team have been working "round the clock on the coronavirus. It's a tough one but a lot of progress has been made."
He says 22 patients have the coronavirus in US, and confirms that one person died overnight – "a medically high risk patient in her late 50s". This refers to the person in Washington state.
He says his actions to control it are the most aggressive of any country in the world – despite telling supporters at a rally on Friday night that it was a Democrat "hoax" to discredit him.
Mike Pence's taskforce met for two and half hours, the president says, adding that he attended for a while. He says his team is "so talented and working round the clock" and wants to report "how well we're doing under really adverse circumstances".
He says he "respectfully asks the media and politicians" not to incite panic.
He says he "respectfully asks the media and politicians" not to incite panic.
Trump acknowledges that it is "likely" that there will be more coronavirus cases in the US – something he expressed doubt about happening at his last press conference on the matter – and says he will be meeting with pharmaceutical companies on Monday to talk about a coronavirus vaccine.
Mike Pence says there will be additional travel restrictions on Iran, expanding existing travel ban to any foreign national who has travelled there in the previous 14 days.
He is advising against US travel to areas in Italy and South Korea most affected by the virus.
He is advising against US travel to areas in Italy and South Korea most affected by the virus.
Health secretary Alex Azar insists that the risk is low but adds: "That can change rapidly."
But he says the vast majority of people who contract the virus will only experience mild symptoms. A small minority will require hospitalisation.
The priority is to restrict travel to the worst affected areas, like the parts of Italy and South Korea mentioned by Mike Pence earlier.
But he says the vast majority of people who contract the virus will only experience mild symptoms. A small minority will require hospitalisation.
The priority is to restrict travel to the worst affected areas, like the parts of Italy and South Korea mentioned by Mike Pence earlier.
Trump, asked about using the word "hoax" about the coronavirus, says he was referring to how the Democrats were using the crisis, not the coronavirus itself.
Dr Anthony Fauci, a health expert, says he has not been "muzzled" by the administration following a question to the president. It was a "misrepresentation" he says after Trump calls the question "very dishonest".
Trump and Pence defend the latter's handling of public health crises. When he was governor of Indiana, Pence was accused of worsening an HIV outbreak by blocking a needle exchange. He hits back at the accusation saying the state of Indiana did not allow the needle exchange and that he declared a public health emergency and made an exchange available to help solve the crisis.
"I'm proud of the work we did in the state of Indiana."
"I'm proud of the work we did in the state of Indiana."
"The markets will all come back ... we have one problem and we need to bring this problem into focus," says Trump in answer to a question about the historic falls in the stock market over the past week.
"Our focus is on this, that will take care of itself."
He also again says he wants the Fed to cut interest rates to help boost business.
"Our focus is on this, that will take care of itself."
He also again says he wants the Fed to cut interest rates to help boost business.
Wrapping up his news conference, Trump says "we'll be doing this quite often and keep you abreast of all the facts", adding "we'll be very transparent".
Asked how soon US soldiers will start coming home from Afghanistan, Trump replies: "Today. They'll start immediately."
