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US Election 2016: Cruz and Rubio clobber Trump in debate US Election 2016: Cruz and Rubio clobber Trump in debate
(35 minutes later)
Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio unleashed a barrage of attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the last debate before a pivotal election day. Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio unleashed a barrage of attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the last debate before a pivotal series of primaries.
The senators sought to blunt Mr Trump's momentum after he has won three out the first four contests.The senators sought to blunt Mr Trump's momentum after he has won three out the first four contests.
Immigration, healthcare and outreach to Latino voters dominated the debate.Immigration, healthcare and outreach to Latino voters dominated the debate.
Mr Rubio rolled out a new line of attacks, saying Mr Trump hired foreign workers rather than Americans. But like previous forums, the debate quickly devolved into long periods of shouting and personal insults.
Mr Rubio rolled out a new line of stinging attacks against Mr Trump.
He criticized Mr Trump's failed online education venture, Trump University, and assailed Mr Trump for hiring foreign workers rather than Americans in his construction projects.
Mr Trump shot back: "I hired tens of thousands of people. You've hired nobody."Mr Trump shot back: "I hired tens of thousands of people. You've hired nobody."
The stakes have been raised for the candidates. Next Tuesday, known as Super Tuesday, millions of voters in 11 states will cast ballots in the Republican race. The billionaire real estate mogul found himself increasingly on the defensive about his business dealings, his conservative credentials and his support for Israel.
A quarter of the total numbers of delegates needed to the secure the nomination will be up for grabs that day.
Live coverage - Republicans to battle in Texas debate
Mr Trump has been extremely popular despite his controversial comments about deporting millions of undocumented workers and banning Muslims from travelling to the United States.
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Five ways Trump can still be stopped - Unlikely ways other Republicans can get out frontFive ways Trump can still be stopped - Unlikely ways other Republicans can get out front
What makes Super Tuesday super? - The long day of voting explainedWhat makes Super Tuesday super? - The long day of voting explained
The Republicans who hate Trump - Lifelong members of the party speak outThe Republicans who hate Trump - Lifelong members of the party speak out
The stakes have been raised for the candidates. Next Tuesday, known as Super Tuesday, millions of voters in 11 states will cast ballots in the Republican race.
A quarter of the total numbers of delegates needed to the secure the nomination will be up for grabs that day.
Debate highlights:Debate highlights:
After four primary and caucus competitions, Mr Trump has 82 Republican party delegates, Senator Ted Cruz has 17 and Marco Rubio has 16. To become the Republican party's nominee, a candidate has to have 1,237 total state delegates. Mr Trump has been extremely popular despite his controversial comments about deporting millions of undocumented workers and banning Muslims from travelling to the United States.
Former neurosurgeon Ben Carson has said he will not be quitting the race anytime soon, despite a poor showing in polls and in state contests so far. After four primary and caucus competitions, Mr Trump has 82 Republican party delegates, Mr Cruz has 17 and Mr Rubio has 16. To become the Republican party's nominee, a candidate has to have 1,237 total state delegates.
Ohio Governor John Kasich, billing himself as a moderate, compassionate alternative to his more conservative colleagues, has been pressured to drop out by some Republicans so a non-Donald Trump frontrunner can emerge.
Mr Cruz placed third in three consecutive state races and Mr Rubio had a major stumble in a debate before the New Hampshire primary. He repeated himself several times and was ridiculed online.
Mr Trump has said he is confident heading into Super Tuesday.Mr Trump has said he is confident heading into Super Tuesday.
"It's going to be an amazing two months," he said after winning the Nevada contest on Tuesday. "We might not even need the two months, folks, to be honest.""It's going to be an amazing two months," he said after winning the Nevada contest on Tuesday. "We might not even need the two months, folks, to be honest."
He has gone after Mr Cruz recently, calling him a "liar" and questioning his campaign strategies. The next primary and caucus is in South Carolina next week. Other states will have their turn over the coming weeks and months.
Mr Rubio, meanwhile, is seeking the backing of establishment Republicans and has said the bid for the nomination is now a "three-person race". Each party formally announces their presidential candidate at conventions in July, four months before the presidential election.