Republicans have started their convention to nominate Donald Trump as their White House candidate, while dissident delegates make a last-ditch attempt to deny the front-runner.
True to form, Mr Trump himself provided the first surprise of the week, announcing this morning that he is heading to the Cleveland convention later in the day to introduce his wife Melania on the first night of speeches.
"I will be there," he told Fox News. "I want to watch. It is going to be very exciting."
It is an earlier-than-expected arrival for a man who has shown little interest in tradition with his nominating show. But the next four days will undeniably be Mr Trump's moment - a week at the pinnacle of American politics that few could have imagined when the New York billionaire entered the race a year ago.
The line-up of speakers is aimed at showing off the man behind the mogul, his advisers said. Several family members and friends are expected to speak of his character and reveal a side of Mr Trump that Americans may not know.
Along with Melania Trump, today's opening night speeches include a mix of figures linked broadly under the theme of "Make America Safe Again".
They include Senator Joni...
