Live: Donald Trump and the Republican National Convention

Day two of the Republican National Convention is underway. Donald Trump is set to be formally nominated by the end of the evening.

Controversy is plaguing the convention after Melania Trump's speech was yesterday revealed to be strikingly similar to Michelle Obama's in 2008.

States have cast their votes, Trump has won the nomination with his home state, New York, pushing him over the line.

Watch live:

Live updates:

2.15pm: Donald Trump's son Donald Jr. is citing his father's business acumen and says that for his father, "impossible is just the starting point."

The younger Trump tells the delegates at the Republican National Convention that his father approaches business projects the same way he has approached his campaign and life in general.

Donald Jr. says that's why his father was able to defeat 16 other Republicans in the primary campaign, despite never having run for office.

He says the question in this election is who has the judgment to lead. He says Democrat Hilary Clinton is a risk the country can't afford to take.

1.52pm: Tiffany Trump, the daughter of Donald Trump, is addressing the RNC.

"I'm confident in the good man America's come to know," she says.

"Whatever he does, he gives it his all and does it well."

"Donald Trump has never done anything half-way," she says.

1.39pm: Gov Chris Christie is on, making indicting comments on Hillary Clinton.

He's taking a sweeping look at her work as Cheif Diplomat around the world. He says she ruined Libya and created a nest for Isis.

Christie says Clinton helps the wrong people and ignores the needs of Americans.

The crowd is chanting "lock her up!" which is easy to mishear.

"Hillary cares more about protecting her own secrets than she does about America's secrets," Christie says.

"The facts of her life and career disqualify her".

1.22pm: Paul Ryan is back. He says "we Republicans have made our choice." The arguments during the race, he says, are a "sign of life, of choices."

"2016 is the year America moves on."

"Progressives deliver everything except progress," Ryan says.

Ryan says its time to unify the party and "see this thing through."

12.57pm: Chris Cox from the National Rifle Association is up. He is talking about the Second Amendment and families being able to defend themselves.

Cox is saying with Justice Scalia gone, the Second Amendment is at risk.

"What's so outrageous is that for the rest of her life, Hillary Clinton will never even think about dialing 911. For 30 years, she hasn't taken a walk, a nap or a bathroom break without a good guy with a gun there to protect her. So it's easy for her to dismiss a right she will never have to use," he says.

12.52pm: Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is on stage talking about Hillary Clinton and Benghazi.

12.49pm: New York businessman Andy West explaining who he is, which is very helpful.

"I'm just a regular guy," he says while weighing in on Hillary Clinton.

12.43pm: Former U.S Attorney General Michael Mukasey is also speaking about Hillary Clinton. Let's reiterate, she is the main theme of the night.

He is calling for further charges over the email scandal while throwing in references to Benghazi.

12.39pm: Attorney General of Arkansas Lesley Rutlege introduces herself as a pro-life, gun-carrying woman. She too, is hitting Hillary Clinton hard.

"Hillary needs to go to her own house, not the White House."

So far more has been said about Hillary Clinton than Trump.

12.38pm: Today's main theme is to unite against Hillary Clinton. The email scandal and Benghazi have been brought up by a few speakers now.

12.30pm: Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is speaking now saying Donald Trump has helped champion the UFC.

"Donald has great business instincts," he says.

"I've been in the fight business my whole life. I know fighters. Believe me, Donald Trump is a fighter."

12.28pm: Not every Republican activist is so excited now that Donald Trump has clinched the party's presidential nomination.

Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh says it's time to "cancel the convention, stop the sham." She says Mr Trump has worked to coronate himself king.

Ms Unruh is warning there could be drama and a "show of displeasure" coming on Thursday when Trump is set to speak at the convention.

Colorado cast most of its votes for Cruz.

12.23pm: Speaker Ryan is back formally declaring Trump and Pence for nominees. Now it's prayer time.

12.21pm: Getting down with the Republican jams. Attendees are dancing and celebrating to some conservative rodeo music.

12.17pm: Governor Mike Pence has been officially nominated as the Vice President candidate.

12.00pm: It didn't take long for the newly minted Republican presidential nominee to take to Twitter to celebrate.

"Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!" he said.

11.48am: Alaska is contesting their vote count, requesting the votes be recast and recorded correctly.

11.43am: It's all over, states have cast their votes for Trump. Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan is now officiating the final details.

11.37am: Washington casts all votes for Trump as the voting nears an end.

11.31am: Utah casts all votes for Cruz but pledges allegiance to Trump.

11.30am: U.S Virgin Islands: "Make the Caribbean great again!"

11.27am: Texas votes overwhelming for "our son, Ted Cruz."

11.19am: Moments after Trump got the nomination, Puerto Rico gave its delegate vote to Marco Rubio in a downcast moment, met with silence.

11.12am: New York is back, this time with Donald J. Trump Jr. representing the state, throwing Donald Trump over the line for the nomination.

"Congratulations dad we love you."

11.10am: The rock band Queen is getting increasingly frustrated by the Trump campaign after it "ignored" repeated requests to stop playing their songs.

The classic rock band says they don't want Donald Trump using their music and their publishing company says Mr Trump has not asked for permission to use the group's songs.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing - which administers Queen's catalogue including songs such as "We Are the Champion" - said in a statement on Tuesday they had repeatedly asked Mr Trump not to use the "We Are the Champions," which he played on Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention.

11.08am: The Nevada representative incorrectly named Las Vegas as the capital city instead of Carson City.

11.06am: Trump's home state, New York, passes its turn in roll call vote.

10.56am: Former Trump staffer Cory Lewandowski is representing New Hampshire, where he says it's eleven votes "for my friend" Donald Trump.

10.29am: All 99 votes from Florida went to Trump.

10.24am: Colorado had a small showing for Trump support drawing boos from the large crowd.

10.22am: Efforts by some delegates to block the Republican National Convention from nominating Donald Trump for president appear finished, US Senator Mike Lee, a Trump opponent, has told Reuters.

"I don't see any way around it," the Utah lawmaker said as the Republican convention prepared to formally make Trump the nominee for the Nov. 8 presidential election.

10.14am: Delegates are now casting votes or the GOP nomination. Trump is leading the votes, with Ted Cruz following.

10.00am: New York state Sen. Chris Collins has seconded the nomination of Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

Collins - a delegate to the Republican National Convention - says Trump will build a wall to secure the U.S.-Mexican border. He says Trump will defeat terrorism and make the U.S. safe again.

South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Henry McMaster, is also voicing his support for Trump.

McMaster is one of Trump's highest-profile early endorsers and says Trump wants to go to work "for us."

Many observers wondered why McMaster - an establishment Republican - was getting behind the unconventional candidate when he endorsed Trump ahead of South Carolina's February primary. McMaster's inner circle questioned the support, and some were disappointment he hadn't picked another candidate.

10.07am: Paul Ryan begins the process of nominating Donald Trump for president

"It is my honour and pleasure to nominate Donald J Trump for the the office of president of the United States of America," says Senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama, the first delegate to formally nominate Mr Trump.

"Off to a good start," quips Mr Ryan.

Earlier

Police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday (today NZT) afternoon. There was no immediate word on any arrests or injuries.

A skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking in downtown's Public Square through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.

Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line between a conservative religious group and a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."

The demonstrators appeared outnumbered by police and members of the media. Police on bike and on foot formed lines to keep pockets of protesters separated.

Demonstrators soon spilled into the streets, and some appeared to be making their way toward the arena where the convention is being held.

The crowds and the police presence were some of the largest and most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the convention got underway Monday.

Cleveland's police chief was talking to the crowd before one of the skirmishes broke out.

Earlier Tuesday, officials said 11 members of the planning team for the California delegation to the Republican convention were recovering from a bout of norovirus, or what's commonly known as stomach flu, health officials said. No delegates appeared to be affected.

The symptoms, which can include vomiting and diarrhea, were first reported Thursday as logistics members arrived at a hotel about an hour west of Cleveland ahead of the Republican National Convention, said Pete Schade, Erie County health commissioner.

Those who got sick are keeping themselves isolated in their rooms, Schade said, and the Ohio Health Department is trying to identify the source. Norovirus can be contracted from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Ohio Health Department spokesman Russ Kennedy confirmed there was at least one suspected norovirus case and said the victim was apparently infected before arriving in Ohio, based on when the person fell ill.

Cynthia Bryant, executive director of the California GOP, told delegation members to wash their hands frequently, avoid shaking hands and not to share food.

As the second day of the convention got underway, three people were arrested and charged with criminal mischief for climbing flagpoles outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum early in the morning and hanging an anti-Donald Trump banner. Firefighters took it down.

The museum said in statement that while the rock hall is an "icon of free speech," officials discourage "illegal actions that stress our first responders."

Also Tuesday, Cleveland's police chief said 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies are patrolling on bicycles in downtown Cleveland during the convention. Supporters of bike patrols say they make officers more maneuverable and less threatening-looking.

On Monday, the first day of rallies outside the convention featured angry words and a small number of demonstrators openly carrying guns as allowed under Ohio law, but none of the violence many feared could erupt in this summer of violence in the U.S. and overseas.

"So far, so good," Police Chief Calvin Williams said Monday evening.

- nzherald.co.nz and agencies