Presidential hopeful Ted Cruz speaking at the GOP debate. The Texas senator appeared to have scored a split decision verdict in his sparring with Donald Trump. Photo: Twitter.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and top challenger Ted Cruz ended a longstanding truce in spectacular fashion on Thursday night with bitter exchanges during what may have been Trump’s strongest debate performance to date.

The New York billionaire and the Texas senator appeared to have a split decision by the end of the night, a sign that for all the bluster, little took place that could derail Trump from his lead position with a contest in Iowa on Feb. 1 to begin the search for a Republican presidential nominee.

Read full story at Reuters.