More than 100 people attend a peace protest in Cardiff calling for an end to violence in Gaza.

The Jolie-Pitt brood exchange home-made gifts rather than buy presents. But do children still revel in making stuff from cereal packets and toilet rolls? Yes, says Blue Peter editor Tim Levell.

Police arrest more than 20 protesters as the Kenyan president's Independence Day speech is cut short by heckling.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres says she is 'saddened' by the passing of an amendment banning same-sex marriage in California.

Key facts, figures and dates

The BBC's Richard Lister looks at how Barack Obama took the White House in 2008.

Barack Obama's campaign announces that it is buying airtime in North Dakota, Georgia and Arizona, his rival's home state.

US voters share their views on the Barack Obama half-hour commercial and the Democrats' advertising advantage.

Could another October surprise like the Bin Laden tape derail Obama's road to victory?

US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has bought $100,000 of TV airtime to back gay marriage.

Background details of the trial involving a Venezuelan man accused of acting illegally in the US as a foreign agent of Venezuela's government.

The BBC's Adam Brookes examines what effect President Bush's plan to withdraw troops from Iraq will have on the US election.

The election of the Green Party's first leader marks a new tone in environmental politics, says the BBC's Carole Walker.

What the controversy over the sight-saving drug Lucentis tells us about the NHS and drugs industry.

As allegations of human rights violations are hurled between Russia and Georgia, the BBC's Stephanie Holmes explores the challenges of distinguishing between fact and fiction.

Speedo's dominance of the Beijing Olympics is making waves in the world of sponsorship.

British canoeist David Florence wins silver, team GB take bronze in three-day eventing, Tina Cook wins bronze in the individual eventing and Michael Phelps grabs his third gold in the pool.

A controversial Channel 4 film on global warming broke Ofcom rules on impartiality and fairness, the regulator says.

Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, thinks Mr Obama needs to respond to humour with some jokes of his own.

Ralph Nader, an independent, and Bob Barr, of the Libertarian Party, could make an impact on the US presidential race.