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Selected and fresh photos from around the web.
BASRA, IRAQ - OCTOBER 18: People gather around a Land Rover as it arrives at the village Al Houta on October 18 2008 near Basra, Iraq. The trip by the 51 Sqn Royal Air Force Regiment Force Protection Wing was part of a 'key leader engagement' (KLE) visit to the village close to the Basra Airbase to recruit local labour and engage with the village shiek. Visits of this type are seen as key in efforts to continue winning the support of the local Iraqi population. Although improved security in the region has brought some benefits such as improved trade and commerce, much of the infrastructure remains in a poor state of repair. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated that the number of UK troops could be scaled down - especially as the security situation in the south of the country continues to improve.
Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally in the rain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, September 27, 2008.
A puppy stands on a truck carrying people to be evacuated from the area in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Gustav in Batabano, on the southern coast of Cuba, August 30, 2008. Powerful Hurricane Gustav roared toward western Cuba on Saturday with 125 mph (205 kph) winds on its way to the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico after a deadly pass through the Caribbean.
BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUGUST 30: A member of Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stands behind barbed wire outside Government on August 30, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. The protesters want to unseat the seven-month old coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Switzerland's Roger Federer waves to the crowd after he defeated Andreas Seppi of Italy during their 2nd round match at the ATP Qatar tennis open in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Ghana's President John Atta Mills of the opposition NDC party speaks during his inauguration ceremony at the independence square in Accra January 7, 2009. Ghana swore in opposition leader Mills as president on Wednesday in a democratic transfer of power that won plaudits from around the world for one of Africa's most attractive investment destinations.
US President George W. Bush (C) stands with President-elect Barack Obama (2nd L), former President George H.W. Bush (L), former President Bill Clinton (2nd R) and former President Jimmy Carter (R) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 7, 2009. Bush, acting on a suggestion by Obama, invited the former Presidents and President-elect for lunch, the first time since 1981 that all living presidents have been together at the White House.
An Israeli woman and her two children take cover during a rocket attack near Kfar Aza, just outside the northern Gaza Strip January 7, 2009. The woman came to meet her husband, an Israeli army officer currently serving on the Gaza border. Rockets exploded as they were waiting for him. Israel postponed on Wednesday a decision on whether to order its armed forces to storm the Gaza Strip's urban centres, an Israeli official said, citing Egyptian- and French-led efforts to secure a truce with Hamas.
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks to the media during a news conference at his transition office in Washington January 7, 2009.
A Palestinian carries a sack of flour received from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza January 7, 2009. Israel and Hamas said they were temporarily holding their fire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday to ease the flow of humanitarian aid and both sides said they were studying an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire.
Policemen are seen through an Israeli flag as they keep vigil during a demonstration in front of the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles, California, on January 6, 2009. Palestinian and Israeli supporters demonstrated in front of the Israeli consulate and chanted slogans against each other. The White House reiterated on January 6 it wanted to see a "durable" ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, stopping short of endorsing a proposed humanitarian truce for Gaza.
Chancellor Merkel is extremely popular, but so is Frank Walter Steinmeier. Mr Steinmeier speaks a clear language and people understand him - he's a dangerous opponent 
Mr. Steinmeier will continue ... in future to meet social-political figures whom he thinks are relevant where and when he likes
