That pain would be worth enduring if it led to a better medium-term budget outcome.

ECONOMIST: Leaders

Less noticed is that Mr Obama's fiscal plan will also worsen the medium-term budget mess, by making tax cuts for the middle class permanent.

ECONOMIST: America's economy

Scheduled for discussion were a wide range of topics relating to the current situation of the Organization, its financial status and questions concerning the implementation of the roadmap, ongoing preparations for the next Medium Term Strategy and Programme and Budget, the current moves to reorganize certain corporate services and matters relating to the scheduling of meetings during sessions of the Governing Bodies.

UNESCO: Paris, 11.12.2012