i'm keiko kitagawa in tokyo. thank you for watching.

i'm keiko kitagawa in tokyo. israeli leaders have made a move that is drawing criticism from their opponents and allies. they've approved a plan to expand settlement activities in the occupied palestinian territories. the decision comes a day after the u.n. general assembly upgrade the palestinian status to non-member observer state. organized the construction of 3,000 new names in settlements in east jerusalem and the west bank. the settlements are considered illegal under international law. the israelis say they also launched a product to business housing on the outskirts of jerusalem. they say it could hinder the peace process. palestinian president refused to negotiate with israel while settlement construction continues. the white house has condemned the israeli government's decision. and national security council's spokesperson. the official says israel's action is powerful. >> opponents of egyptian president mohamed morsi is wrapping up the pressure against the country's new draft constitution. they've gath

i'm keiko kitagawa in tokyo. >>> u.s. president barack obama says he's optimistic democrats and republicans can reach a deal to steer clear of the so-called fiscal cliff, but he's got a backup plan if they can't. obama wrapped up a meeting at the white house with congressional leaders. they're trying to find a way to head off automatic tax increases and spending cuts that take effect in the new year which economists warned could trigger a recession. >> we're now at the point where in just four days, every american's tax rates are scheduled to go up by law. every american's paycheck will get considerably smaller. and that would be the wrong thing to do for our economy, it would be bad for middle class families, and it would be bad for businesses that depend on family spending. fortunately, congress can prevent it from happening if they act right now. i just had a good and constructive discussion here at the white house with senate and house leadership about how to prevent this tax hike on the middle class. and i'm optimist