Iowa kicks off US election process with complex caucus

Washington

US Republican and Democratic candidates made last-gasp appeals to Iowa voters just hours before the first nominating contest of the 2016 campaign, with their White House aspirations on the line.

By late Monday (Tuesday morning in Singapore), presidential hopefuls will learn whether the time, effort and money they poured into their campaigns have been rewarded with the kind of strong showing here that would lend huge momentum to their cause when the race shifts towards the next vote, in New Hampshire.