Candidates for the Democratic party's nomination in next year's US presidential election participated in a televised debate in Las Vegas last night.
Frontrunners Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama clashed sharply on healthcare and taxes.
The campaign for the Democratic nomination is now in full swing.
Earlier dates for the primary contests have made the race more fiercely fought, much earlier than ever before.
Sharp differences have emerged between Ms Clinton and Mr Obama.
Nevada has been moved up the primary calendar to reflect its growing economic and political importance.
Its caucus will be the third to be held in January and whoever wins there could end up winning the final nomination.
