The American multimillionaire publisher Steve Forbes is pulling out of the race to become the Republican presidential candidate.

He finished a disappointing third in the latest primary in Delaware, despite having already spent tens of millions of dollars on his campaign.

He's due to announce his decision shortly - leaving the way clear for what's looking increasingly like a straight battle between the Texas governor, George W.

Bush - who won Delaware - and Senator John McCain.

Senator McCain did not campaign in Delaware but still came second.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service