The mayor of San Diego announced he will undergo therapy after several women accused him of sexual harassment that included kissing and groping but resisted widespread calls for his resignation.

MITT ROMNEY scrambled last night to recover from a debate disaster in which he challenged a fellow White House contender to a $10,000 (€7,500) bet, saying the sum had merely been rhetorical.

Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, facing a conservative revolt, put off a vote on a bill to increase the government’s debt limit, cut federal spending and avoid a potential US default.

US President Barack Obama, increasing pressure on Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner to quit, said that "I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign."

Representative Anthony Weiner announced yesterday he is entering professional treatment at an undisclosed location and requested a leave of absence from the US Congress as he came under fierce pressure from fellow Democrats to resign in a sex texting scandal.

President Barack Obama appealed for unity at a memorial service for those attacked in the Arizona shooting rampage and implored a divided America to honour them by becoming a better country.