As it happened - pivotal Obama and Trump speeches

Summary

Donald Trump is facing a slew of claims of sexual misconduct from women
In Florida on Thursday, he fought back by strongly dismissing the accusations
First Lady Michelle Obama decried his actions as "intolerable"
Last week a video tape emerged in which Mr Trump boasted of groping women
A series of recent polls suggest a fall in his support to rival Hillary Clinton

Live Reporting

Courtney Subramanian and Max Matza

Delegates arrive in stylepublished at 20:24 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
Thousands of delegates have filed into the Quicken Loans Arena, donning attire to show their state pride and their support for Donald Trump.
Texas delegates sported cowboy hats, while delegates from Guam arrived in tropical shirts.
A woman from Wisconsin was seen wearing a hat shaped like a wedge of cheese, a popular choice for Green Bay Packer American football fans.
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Stephen Colbert escorted from convention stagepublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
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Late Show host Stephen Colbert earlier crashed the Republican National Convention stage, appearing as Hunger Games character Caasar Flickerman.
The comedian poked fun at Mr Trump before he was dragged away, but it's unclear whether it was real or staged.
“It is my honour to hereby launch and begin the 2016 Republican National Hungry for Power Games,” he said as he banged a gavel, making reference to the popular book and movie series.
“Look, look, I know I’m not supposed to be up here, but let’s be honest - neither is Donald Trump,” Colbert quipped as he was pulled away from the microphone.
The Late Show host has previously dressed as The Hunger Games host for similar sketches, external on his television show.
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'Open carry' laws in Ohio under scrutinypublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
People are not allowed to take guns into Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena or within a secure zone outside. But some people were photographed openly wearing guns nearby.
Given the recent tensions, Cleveland's police union asked Ohio Governor John Kasich to declare a state of emergency to temporarily put a ban on open-carry in the city during the convention, but Kasich has said he does not have the power to do so on his own.
So no tennis balls are allowed near the convention centre, but weapons like this one are. But not inside the convention centre - US Secret Service won't have it.
What's the point of a convention?published at 19:33 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
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1. What's the point? Each party formally nominates its candidates for president and vice president, and the party unveils its party platform, or manifesto.
2. Who is going? There are 2,472 delegates attending, selected at state and congressional district conventions, and representing each US state and territory. Plus 15,000 journalists and thousands of other party grandees, lawmakers and guests.
3. Who isn't going? Some senior figures who don't like Donald Trump have stayed away, including two ex-presidents named Bush, former nominee Mitt Romney and Ohio Governor John Kasich.
4. What's the schedule?
- Monday speakers - Melania Trump, Senator Joni Ernst, former NYC Mayor Rudi Giuliani
- Tuesday - House Speaker Paul Ryan, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
- Wednesday - VP nominee Mike Pence
- Thursday - Donald Trump, introduced by daughter Ivanka
For more information on US conventions, the BBC's Katty Kay explains, external.
What's happening on the floor of the convention?published at 19:32 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
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Anti-Trump protesters hand out Islamophobia relief pillspublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
Protesters are distributing "anti-Islamophobia" pills, making reference to Mr Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric throughout his campaign.
Mr Trump has suggested that all Muslims should be banned, external from entering the US. He later changed the proposal to only banning people coming from countries with a terror history against the US.
"Take two and call a Muslim in the morning," the box reads. "Warning: May result in peaceful coexistence."
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Trump supporters blast Hillary Clintonpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
Trump supporters convened near the convention site for one of the first of many rallies expected throughout the four-day event.
Demonstrators were heard chanting, "Hillary for prison", referring to Mr Trump's Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
A Trump supporter also spoke about why he left the Democratic party to join the Republicans.
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What to expect at the conventionpublished at 19:07 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
It's Day One at the Republican National Convention and the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan is reporting from the convention centre.
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Inside the convention centre in Cleveland
And we're off... party chairman kicks off conventionpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, called to order the Republican National Convention as demonstrators gathered outside the Quicken Loans Arena.
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First day to focus on securitypublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
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Monday's speakers are expected to focus on the theme Make America Safe Again, a play on Mr Trump's official campaign slogan, Make America Great Again.
Each day of the convention has been assigned a similar theme.
The speakers due to appear include Mr Trump's wife, Melania Trump, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and US Senator Joni Ernst.
Republicans in Clevelandpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 18 July 2016
Welcome back to our live page coverage. Monday is the first day of the Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump and Mike Pence will be formally nominated as party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Police have heightened security efforts and enlisted help from thousands of state and federal law enforcement officers in preparation for the four-day event.
The convention begins one day after a man killed three police officers in Baton Rouge, adding to mounting tensions between police and protesters across the country in recent weeks.
About 50,000 people are expected to travel to Cleveland for the event.
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That's all for nowpublished at 02:45
We now pause our live updates of voting in six US states - the last major primary day.
It has seen Hillary Clinton saying her victory in the Democratic nomination was "a milestone... the first time in our nation's history that a woman will be a major party's nominee".
However, her rival Bernie Sanders has pledged to continue fighting.
In the Republican camp, Donald Trump has won several more primaries.
Both parties will officially nominate their candidate during conventions in July.
Bernie Sanders wins in Montanapublished at 02:43
In addition to North Dakota, Bernie Sanders has won in Montana.
A small number of delegates were up for grabs in the two states.
'Obama is about to tell Sanders that the revolution stops now'published at 02:20
"Barack Obama is about to tell Bernie Sanders that the revolution stops now," the BBC's North America reporter Anthony Zurcher says.
"At the Vermont senator's request, the two will have a meeting on Thursday to discuss "how to build on the extraordinary work he has done to engage millions of Democratic voters", in the words of a White House press release.
"In other words, it's time to wrap things up and unite the party behind Mrs Clinton. The president is the leader of the Democratic Party, and it's his legacy on the line. Continued acrimony within the ranks will only complicate matters.
"Now it's only a matter of time before Mr Obama formally endorses Mrs Clinton and hits the campaign trail to support her."
Read more from Anthony
'The struggle continues!' - Bernie Sanderspublished at 02:06
Mr Sanders again thanks all those who are "prepared to fight to make this country a much better place".
"Thank you all! The struggle continues!" he says, as he finishes his passionate address and is immediately hugged by supporters.
Image source, Reuters
Bernie Sanders attacks Donald Trump and pledges to stay in the racepublished at 01:58
Mr Sanders also launches another attack on presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, saying that "we will not allow Mr Trump to become president of America".
Mr Sanders says he will not support a candidate "whose major theme is bigotry".
And he pledges to continue to fight in Washington DC's primary next Tuesday - and all the way to the Democratic Party nomination convention in Philadelphia.
Image source, Reuters
'Our vision will be the future of America!" - Bernie Sanderspublished at 01:50
"Let me thank all of you for being part of political revolution!" Mr Sanders says.
He expresses his gratitude to people "who are prepared to stand up and fight for a real change in this country!
"Our vision will be the future of America," Mr Sanders continues.
Bernie Sanders thanks supporters in Santa Monicapublished at 01:44
Bernie Sanders finally appears before a cheering crowd of supporters in Santa Monica.
"Thank you!" he says, but the crowd continues to roar...
Bernie Sanders supporters wait for him to address the crowd in Santa Monicapublished at 01:42
In Santa Monica, Bernie Sanders supporters are still waiting for him to address the crowd.
Many are chanting "Bernie! Bernie!"
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President Obama to meet Bernie Sanders at White Housepublished at 00:10
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President Barack Obama has called both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders to congratulate them on their "inspiring" campaigns, the White House has said in a statement.
The president congratulated Secretary Clinton for securing the delegates necessary to clinch the Democratic nomination, it said.
Meanwhile, he thanked Sen Sanders for "energising millions of Americans with his commitment to issues like fighting economic inequality and special interests' influence on [US] politics".
At Mr Sanders' request, the president and the Vermont senator will meet at the White House on Thursday, the statement said.
"The President looks forward to continuing the conversation with Senator Sanders about how to build on the extraordinary work he has done to engage millions of Democratic voters, and to build on that enthusiasm in the weeks and months ahead."