As the disease progresses, the liver has a hard time filtering out toxins, which can go to the brain and cause problems such as memory lapses, trouble sleeping at night and lack of coordination.

CNN: The growing culprit behind liver disease

France, however, appears to be a greater cause for concern as its economy faces a number of problems that don't trouble Germany as much.

NPR: Eurozone Recession Deepens As Germany Falters

But the Wright affair could still cause problems with white voters, particularly the white working-class voters whom Mr Obama has had trouble with in the past, most recently in Ohio.

ECONOMIST: Barack Obama is having the worst fortnight of his campaign