US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, effectively ensuring they will both be named as their parties' nominees.
Mr Biden won the majority of delegates in all states holding primaries on Tuesday, and Mr Trump won in all but one, Vermont, which was taken by the lone challenger for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley.
With no realistic path left open to her, Ms Haley dropped out of the race on Wednesday.
Candidates only receive their parties' nomination at their conventions, both of which will take place this summer, but Mr Biden and Mr Trump will almost certainly receive the nominations.
While there were few surprises on Super Tuesday, the race did yield an interesting result: in Minnesota's Democratic primary, about 45,000 voters – about 20 per cent – ticked the "uncommitted" box on their ballots, many in protest against Mr Biden's Gaza policy.
“Twenty per cent is great for the [uncommitted] movement organisers and sends a strong message to the Biden campaign and administration,” Alyssa Batchelor, a long-time Democratic strategist with Virginia-based Hill and State Strategies, told The National.
The "vote uncommitted" movement has been gaining traction in several states, although not all have the option.
Arab and Muslim Americans and others see it as a chance to voice their disapproval over the Biden administration's support for Israel amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Donald Trump sweeps polls in Republican presidential primary – video
During the Michigan primaries, about 100,000 voters ticked the “uncommitted” box.
“While 45,000 votes doesn't hold the same weight as Michigan, it's definitely an indication that this is something that the administration will need to address head on and consider going into this election,” Ms Batchelor said.
The Muslim Coalition of Faith in Minnesota, which has been active in the “vote uncommitted” campaign, celebrated the results on Wednesday, saying the votes showed “the potency and power of democracy”.
“Instead of choosing to sit out of an important election, Muslim Minnesotans and those of good conscience took their anger, hurt and horror of the atrocities taking place in Gaza and made the choice to voice our dissent, sending the clear message: we need a ceasefire now,” the group said in a statement.
“With only a mere three days of organising, Muslim Coalition leaders filled over 200 volunteer shifts phone-banking, door-knocking and text-banking our community to contact a list of 62,000 Muslim Minnesotans.”
Mr Trump is facing his own challenges.
He has been indicted on 91 criminal charges in four cases over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling secret documents after he left office.
He is also involved in a number of civil suits, with two of them so far finding him liable for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Both candidates have inspired a distinct lack of enthusiasm among their electorates.
But as the incumbent, Mr Biden is highly likely to receive the Democratic nomination, and while Mr Trump has proven to be a divisive figure this time around, Republican leaders have mostly fallen in line.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday announced his support for Mr Trump after once condemning the former president for “disgraceful” acts in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
In her concession speech on Wednesday, Ms Haley wished Mr Trump well but did not endorse him, encouraging him to instead earn the backing of her supporters.
From here, the candidates are expected to begin preparing for the general election, with both making comments after the Super Tuesday results indicating that their sole focus is defeating the other in November.
Mr Trump and Mr Biden have both gone on the attack, with the President saying in a statement that the results “leave the American people with a clear choice: are we going to keep moving forward or will we allow Donald Trump to drag us backwards into the chaos, division and darkness that defined his term in office?”
Mr Trump, meanwhile, took a more direct route, saying in a post on his Truth Social website: “Biden is the enemy, he is destroying our country. Make America great again!”
Donald Trump’s legal woes – in pictures
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
STAGE%201%20RESULTS
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INFO
Company%20profile
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
RESULTS
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Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)
2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam
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Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri
4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now