And many investors say they are braced for France to lose its triple-A rating in the early days of 2012.

WSJ: World's Woes Leave Lasting Scars

And after a day of chaotic reports Thursday, many relatives of workers at the besieged plant are braced for bad news.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Campaigners say they are braced for a new fight against fracking plans in West Sussex as the government earmarks tax breaks for the shale-gas industry.

BBC: Balcombe, West Sussex

Almost to a man and woman, they expect their popularity to plummet once the honeymoon is over, and they are braced for the ritual of excuses and reappraisals that go with repeated by-election disasters.

ECONOMIST: Riding high

Operators are braced for a walloping.

ECONOMIST: A series of corruption scandals shake Indian businesses

But, with four clubs - Dundee United, Hearts, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Kilmarnock now known to be against the changes and St Mirren saying their preference is for a 14-team top league, top flight chairmen are braced for further talks on possible reconstruction.

BBC: SPL scraps plans for January vote on restructure

The Germans are thus braced for Mr Obama to seek more from them.

ECONOMIST: Europe and America

Their document urges survivors to be sure they and their families are emotionally prepared for such disclosures, and to be braced for the likely widespread dissemination of any personal accounts via social media.

NPR: Suicide Survivors Help To Shape Prevention Efforts

The plan was intended to ensure that the conglomerate maintains its triple-A credit rating and its 31 cent quarterly dividend. (See "GE Braced For Pain") At the current price, mere mortals who invest alongside Buffett, are getting a 5.0% payout.

FORBES: Magazine Article