The World This Week...

Barack Obama used a prime time news conference marking six months in office to make the case for his blueprint for healthcare reform. Polls show Americans increasingly disapprove of the president's plans.

California's legislature prepared to vote on a deal crafted by Arnold Schwarnegger, the governor, that would close the state's $26.3bn budget deficit. The agreement brings in deep spending cuts to social programmes, but no tax rises.

England's cricketer's beat Australia in The Ashes second test at Lord's for the first time in 75 years, and only the second time since 1896. England lead 1-0 in the five match series.