World news from the BBC.

With a little over a month before American voters go to the polls, President Barack Obama and">and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney hold their first presidential debate today in the

swing state

of Colorado. Polls show that the race remains close nationwide but that President Obama is leading in most the important battleground states. Jonny Dymond reports from Washington.

Barack Obama and">and Mitt Romney have spent days preparing for this one and">and half an hour debate, consuming briefings, practising

attack lines

and

sparring

with proxies. Half of the debate will be on the economy, healthcare and government will take up the rest of the time. With Barack Obama maintaining a slim lead in opinion polls and criticism of Mitt Romney's campaign and style increasing, the pressure is on Mr. Romney to make a strong impression.

The Portuguese government has announced a series of tax increases aimed to reducing its budget deficit. Income tax will rise by an average of 2 percentage points and there will be new taxes on the

capital gains

, tobacco and luxury goods. The measures replaced controversial social security reforms that were dropped after massive street protests last month.

A Maoist leader in Nepal Prachanda has launched a new tourist trail which offers hikers the chance to see

hideouts

and routes used by insurgents during the country's civil war. Surendra Phuyal has the details from Kathmandu.