Trump strengthens his position, Sanders surprise in Michigan

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump rolled to big wins in Michigan and Mississippi last night, brushing off a week of withering attacks from the party's establishment to solidify his front-runner status as more U.S. states voted in nominating contests. Trump's convincing wins over Ohio Governor John Kasich, Ted Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, and Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, increased the pressure on the party's anti-Trump forces to find a way to stop his march to the nomination ahead of several key contests next week. Cruz won the primary in Idaho. Trump had split four nominating contests on Saturday with the conservative Cruz, who had positioned himself as the prime alternative to the brash New York billionaire in the race to be the party's candidate in the November 8 election. SANDERS SURPRISE Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton won the Mississippi primary but rival Bernie Sanders was the surprise winner in Michigan, ensuring he stayed well in the race.   Clinton won easily in Mississippi, where the electorate is dominated by the African-American voters who have overwhelmingly favoured her over Sanders.