BBC correspondents around the Middle East look at how different countries are reacting to the escalating conflict in Gaza.

Russia has been living up to its reputation as a difficult country with its decision to cut gas supplies to Ukraine, writes the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow.

Singer Annie Lennox has joined high-profile campaigners to call for an end to Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Judges decide to send Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian back to jail, as he awaits trial on corruption charges.

Leading chef Raymond Blanc urges us all to embrace the seasonal spirit at every mealtime throughout the year.

Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's ruling ANC, has been in and out of court in recent years.

A senior Scotland Yard officer begins a racial discrimination claim against the Metropolitan Police.

Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson warns the word obesity has become as big a taboo as the C word - cancer - used to be.

Ghanaian voters go to the polls on Sunday to elect the West African country's next president.

The latest developments in the aftermath of the death of Baby P fill many of the front pages, commentaries and leader columns.

The BBC's Barbara Plett assesses the complex US-Pakistan manoeuvring on the Afghan border.

Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian, in detention over corruption allegations, says he has stopped eating in protest.

The European Commission fines four car glass companies more than 1.3bn euros for running a cartel - its largest such fine.

South Africa's ex-President Thabo Mbeki loses his attempt to quash a ruling saying he meddled in Jacob Zuma's corruption case.

The UK's second biggest energy company says it is "optimistic" that domestic prices could be cut early in 2009.

Israel has all but closed its crossings with the Gaza Strip, reducing power supplies and stopping journalists from entering to cover the story, reports the BBC's Aleem Maqbool from Erez Crossing.

A settlement thought in the region of 100,000 euro has been paid to Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins and former FG minister Ivan Yates.

Centcom chief Gen David Petraeus says he will consider Pakistani criticism of US missile strikes on Pakistani territory.

A chronology of key events

Police "over-egg" the number of people at demonstrations to justify their costs, a climate campaigner tells MPs and peers.