Latest update: 11/12/2012 

- Democrats (USA) - financial crisis - Republicans (USA) - taxes - US politics - USA


Who will blink first and prevent the fiscal cliff?

No Flash warning
To take advantage of all the features on FRANCE24.COM, please click here to download the latest version of Flash Player.

The United States is facing another bout of bickering between Republicans and Democrats. Talks to avert the dreaded "fiscal cliff" are deadlocked. Unless a deal is reached, automatic spending cuts and tax rises will be triggered on January 1st, which could leave the US economy heading towards another recession. The two parties must agree on a deal before then, but time is running out because they cannot agree on taxes.

FOCUS
By Philip CROWTHER / Stanislas DE SAINT HIPPOLYTE
LEBANON
Salah Ezzedine, the Lebanese 'Madoff' ?
When a big cheque written by Salah Ezzedine, a Lebanese businessman known for his connections with Hezbollah, bounced, it prompted an investigation into a Bernard Madoff-type fraud. But in Ezzedine's hometown, people don't want to believe it.
INFLUENZA A(H1N1)
Is the swine flu threat real?
In France, where 14 people have died from the virus, dozens of schools have been closed to contain the virus since the start of the school year. However, are these preventive measures causing more alarm than needed?
08/09/2009 - THAILAND

Insurgency in the troubled south

On Thailand's southern border with Malaysia, near to the country's paradise holiday resorts, a dangerous and little-known conflict is pitting the army against a unique and highly secretive insurgency, threatening to turn into secretarian violence.
ISRAEL
Israel approves construction of more settlements
Defying demands by the US and the European Union for a freeze on settlement building, Israel has officially approved the construction of more than 455 new housing units in the occupied West Bank.
07/09/2009 - DEFENCE

French military deals with Brazil

The warming of ties between Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Brazil for the country's independence day, could mean France securing a lucrative contract to supply Brazil with 36 modern fighter jets.

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(0) Reactions
Read more
Close