Mr Obama faces mounting criticism for the amount of government spending

US President Barack Obama is to announce a three-year partial spending freeze aimed at reducing the country's $1.4tn (£860bn) budget deficit.

His first State of the Union address, on Wednesday, will reveal the details.

Officials have told US media that defence, some healthcare programmes and the massive economic stimulus package will be unaffected.

Critics said the planned savings, expected to cut no more than $15bn off next year's budget, were insufficient.

But officials said the plan would result in savings of about $250bn during the next 10 years. Read more >>>