USA - If Barack Obama successfully translates his campaign rhetoric into law, 2009 will be the year homosexuality becomes a civil right. During the campaign, Obama said the issue of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights "is about who we are as Americans"
USA - Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, announced at his staff's annual prayer retreat that God told him Americans would embrace socialism in 2009 "in order to relieve their pain" and that the economy would rebound under an Obama administration.
BRUSSELS - The EU is spending billions of euros a year on initiatives to promote itself and its central aim of 'ever closer union'. In 2008 alone, it spent more than 2.4 billion euros, which is more than Coca Cola's global advertising budget.
UK - Fizzy drinks sold by Coca-Cola in Britain have been found to contain pesticides at up to 300 times the level allowed in tap or bottled water.
UK - Up to 1,900 UK jobs were under threat today after Waterford Wedgwood, the 250-year-old fine china and glassware maker, collapsed into receivership.
UK - The BBC has redesigned its doll of In The Night Garden character Upsy Daisy after complaints she was too light skinned. Hasbro, the toy's manufacturer has been asked to create a new version, which is in keeping with the popular figure's darker features.
USA - Bernard Madoff's $50 billion Ponzi scheme continues to rock the financial world. But most hedge funds actually engage in similar — albeit legal — practices in the short run.
EUROPE - Intense diplomatic efforts are under way to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza as the Israeli assault against Hamas militants enters its 10th day. Separate missions to the Middle East are being led by the French president, and a high-level team from the EU.
BRUSSELS - European Union officials are to meet in Brussels to assess the impact of falling gas supplies as a result of the dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Several EU countries have reported a drop in supplies after Russia cut off gas to Ukraine on New Year's Day over unpaid bills and a new price contract.
TEHRAN - An Iranian military commander called on Islamic countries to cut oil exports to Israel's supporters in response to the Jewish state's offensive in Gaza, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.
USA - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed support for the ground operation in Gaza.
INDONESIA - At least four people have been killed and dozens injured after a series of powerful earthquakes hit eastern Indonesia, officials say. The strongest tremor, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck north of the city of Manokwari in West Papua province at 0443 on Sunday (1943 GMT).
ISRAEL/GAZA - Israeli ground forces are battling Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel stepped up its operation to try to halt rocket attacks by militants.
LONDON - Angry protesters took to the streets across the UK on Saturday to demonstrate against the bombing of Gaza - burning the Israeli flag and throwing fireworks as the military action against Hamas was stepped up.
EUROPE - Here the Bruges Group exposes the policies that the EU wants to force on Britain over the coming year. These latest EU power grabs are the challenges that we must face in 2009 and are coming regardless of the fact that the EU Constitution/Lisbon Treaty has been rejected in three referenda and has not been ratified.