23:45 GMT – WELCOME to AFP’s Live Report on the second debate of the 2016 presidential race, where Republican candidates will spar as they seek to emerge from the shadow of billionaire frontrunner Donald Trump.
There are 16 Republican candidates — formerly 17, an all-time record for any presidential campaign season, until former Texas governor Rick Perry dropped out of the race last week.
The top 11 contenders are taking part in the showdown this evening at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, hosted by CNN.