Tonight's presidential debate between Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York was the first to be shown on live TV.

Televised debates afford candidates with a strong opportunity to convince undecided voters to sway their support towards them. With opinion polls showing both Clinton and Trump in a virtual deadlock, tonight's debate serves as a key factor for deciding the November 8 elections.

Watch the replay of the US presidential debate in New York (clip from NBC News)

Clinton faced questions over her fitness to serve as President, having abruptly exited a 9/11 memorial in New York weeks ago due to pneumonia, as diagnosed by her personal physician. Trump, on the other hand, continued to court controversy with his abrasive remarks, leading many to criticize him for being a birther and a racist, among many others.

Trump's business acumen has been repeatedly cited by Clinton in the debate, particularly with his failed dealings involving Trump University, dubious deals that trampled on small business owners, and his tax returns. Clinton, on the other hand, has been the subject of Trump's tirades involving her work as State Secretary under the Obama administration, particularly on trade deals and mutual defense agreements worldwide.

Read more about the highlights of the US presidential debate here.

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