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Barack Obama cuts short holiday to tackle budget crisis as country faces breaching its $16.4tn debt limit.

US Treasury secretary Tim Geithner warned on Wednesday he would have to take "extraordinary measures" to avoid a default on the US's legal obligations as the country is set to breach its $16.4tn (£10.16tn) debt limit.

In a letter to Congress, Geithner said the debt ceiling would be reached on 31 December and that the Treasury could raise $200bn (£124bn) to fund government spending as a stopgap measure. But he warned that the current impasse over the fiscal cliff budget crisis meant it was uncertain how long that money would last.

"Under normal circumstances, that amount of headroom would last approximately two months.

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Thai defence chiefs tour hot spots.

UN General Assembly voices concern for Myanmar's Muslims.

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Spanish police bust hashish-smuggling ring.

Central African Republic protest prompts France action.

Russian parliament approves ban on American adoptions.

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U.S. will hit debt limit on Dec. 31, Treasury Department says.

Obama to cut vacation short to deal with fiscal crisis.

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