Republican debate: Five takeaways as Haley and DeSantis face off

Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley squared off in a tense debate on Wednesday, trading barbs just days before the Iowa caucuses.

Donald Trump, the frontrunner in the race for the party's 2024 nomination, once again chose not to attend and held a Fox News town hall event at the same time.

Iowa is the first in the state-by-state contest to decide who in the Republican party will contest the general election, probably against Democratic President Joe Biden, in November.

Mr DeSantis and Ms Haley, a long way behind Mr Trump in the Iowa polls, are hoping a strong second place finish in the state on Monday will breathe new life into their campaigns.