Economist Covers

The world this week...

Turmoil in Iran increased after security forces fired on anti-government demonstrators in several cities. State television said that eight people had died, including a nephew of last June's thwarted presidential candidate, Mir Hosein Mousavi. More than a thousand people were reportedly arrested, including a former foreign minister. Divisions in the ruling clerical establishment deepened.

Barack Obama ordered an investigation into why America's security apparatus failed to stop a man from boarding a jet in Amsterdam, which he then allegedly tried to blow up as it made its final approach to Detroit on Christmas Day. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was overpowered by fellow passengers after he attempted to detonate explosives on the plane, causing a fire. An al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Yemen claimed responsibility.

Mr Obama and his fellow Democrats were confident of passing a significant reform of health care in early 2010 after the Senate voted, along party lines, in favour of a bill. Differences between legislation in the Senate and the House need to be thrashed out before the president gets a bill to sign.