They face a torrent of criticism from conservatives and others infuriated by the prospect of amnesty for lawbreakers and perplexed that the president would make immigration a common cause with Democrats.

CNN: Schneider: The political calculations of immigration

If she turns out to be the liberal of Mr Sessions's fears and Mr Obama's hopes, she will follow her predecessor's example and make common cause with a like-minded minority (Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg) against the conservative majority composed of Mr Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

ECONOMIST: Behind the civility, it��s war in the Supreme Court

One theory is that Dr Jaafari could give up trying to create a wide national coalition and instead make common cause with fellow Islamists among the Sunnis.

ECONOMIST: Iraq

Bell's palsy is the most common cause and although most make a good recovery, some are left with muscle weakness.

BBC: Facial palsy patients helped by mouth massage

Lord Owen insists that if a referendum campaign ever happens he will be prepared to make common cause with the hardline Tory Eurosceptics.

ECONOMIST: The euro