31/12/2012

BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast with George Riley and Clare McDonnell
* Talks have been continuing through the night in Washington as Republicans and Democrats try to avoid the automatic start of huge spending cuts and massive tax increases. The so-called "fiscal cliff" will come into effect tomorrow unless politicians can agree on a range of issues from tax rates and social security and could push the country into recession.

* The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is in hospital with a blood clot. Doctors say it was caused by concussion after she fell at her home earlier this month. She will be kept in for 48 hours.

* There's a warning about the dangers of fake vodka. The Local Government Association says it's been a big problem this year - with seizures of counterfeit booze being made across the country.