Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)

Iraq votes for peace and change in landmark polls
Nation takes first steps away from strife

Sunday Times of Johannesburg (South Africa)

Pulling finger

Some really fantastic photos around the world to mark Iraq’s first elections since 2005. The elections are seen as a first major step in the country's recovery after the US-led invasion in 2003. The pictures show people are proud and happy to vote.


The Observer (UK)
This mess was made by men, Now let women have their say

Saturday was the last day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More than 2,000 top business leaders and politicians participated in the talks on shaping the post-crisis World. This opinion piece is all about the lack of women at the conference, or what columnist Ruth Sunderland calls the ‘Biggest Egothon on the planet’. She talks of how women are losing their jobs at twice the rate of men in developed countries and how in developing countries families are most likely to take their daughter out of education than their sons, which could have a longlasting effect on these countries' economies. Most of the women at the event in Davos were wives of delegates; what kind of message is this sending out?


The Independent (UK)
Lipstick Bungle

The Bank of England is critised here for institutional sexism as it brings in image consultants who advise female staff to wear lipstick, always wear heels, that the colour of their shoes should match their skirt… it goes on… The no nos are ankle chains, white heels, too much jewellery and double pierced ears. Has the Bank of England not got more pressing issues at hand? In the meantime, according to the IMF, the UK is to be the hardest hit by recession of all the developed nations.


Sunday Telegraph (Australia)
Heatwave is coming

Australia is suffering its worst ever heatwave, with record breaking temperatures like 45.6 degrees in Adelaide, where this photo was taken. This wild koala was so dehydrated it accepted a drink from a watering can and followed the lady around like a pet.

The Sunday Age (Australia)
When hot seems cool: temps in 30s here to stay

You’ve heard of Drive In movies; what about Dive In movies? Australians get creative coping with the heatwave! Great photo of this Swim Centre’s first aqua movie night, with fans splashing around in the early evening heat in Whittlesea. The heat is causing leaves to fall off trees in the height of summer, people are taking deep frozen hot water bottles to bed, while rail tracks are buckling.