But Mr Bush left his audience both at home and abroad in no doubt of his determination to act, and to do so, if necessary, without allies.

ECONOMIST: Working on the sceptics | The

What is not in doubt is that Congress will act to ensure that the debt ceiling is raised and that we do not risk default.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Second, the law has been clarified: the law lords ruled in November 2007 that certain functions of political parties are indeed subject to the Race Relations Act of 1976, which had been in doubt.

ECONOMIST: Racism