Democrat

US Congressional leaders are scrambling to clinch a last-minute deal to avoid falling off the fiscal cliff and save America’s economy from crippling tax rises and spending cuts.

The clock is ticking: as the US Congress begins a rare Sunday session, the pressure is mounting on both sides to agree a budget deal.

Rich and powerful, it holds Congress in its sway. But after the murder of 20 young children in Newtown, Connecticut, can the gun lobby still hold out against more stringent controls?

Susan Rice, the combative US ambassador to the United Nations, has withdrawn her name for consideration as the next secretary of state.

It is a looming deadline which will trigger sweeping tax hikes for most Americans and deep spending cuts, possibly plunging the country into another recession. We sort out the facts – and the figures.

So much for those post-election hopes that the parties would reach a deal to avoid the looming fiscal cliff. Leading Republicans have trashed Obama’s plan as “totally inadequate” and a “non-starter”.

“We had no message and we gave it to the worst communicator in the world”, said one aide. As the defeat sinks in, the Republicans’ search for blame begins.

“Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual” Obama told supporters last night – pledging to break the partisan gridlock which has paralysed Washington. But can he really change things?

Barack Obama wins his second term as US president after beating Republican rival Mitt Romney. “This happened because of you,” President Obama tweets.

There have been cheers, as Obama and Romney whooped up supporters one last time, and there have been tears. Now, at last, it is time for the voters to decide. It could be a long night.

They were queuing at some polling stations at 4.30am, with voters waiting hours to cast their ballots. Polling watchdogs are reporting some irregularities in key states: a sign of trouble to come?

It’s up to you, Obama told supporters last night: Felicity Spector joined some of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers on both sides who are pounding the streets – fighting for every vote.

It was a campaign rally hastily turned into a disaster relief event. But Mitt Romney’s team has been accused of buying the relief donations themselves – telling supporters to “just grab something”.