In the beginning there was knife crime. After a series of high-profile teenage stabbings caught the media’s headlights, we were told there was an "epidemic" of youth violence. Gordon Brown promised to do "everything in his power" to solve the "spiralling problem." Loud voices screamed for "tough" measures to tackle this "culture of knife violence." When the media storm finally subsided, statistics revealed that overall knife crime had actually fallen by 15.7% over two years, although younger people are disproportionately affected.

America is still trying to decide who it wants to be the next President. After Democrat leader Barack Obama impressed European audiences in July, John McCain chose the Republican’s Vice Presidential candidate, self-proclaimed "hockey mom", Sarah Palin. She may not know what the Bush Doctrine is, but she certainly has invigorated the conservative Christian establishment with her anti-abortion and creationist stance. Meanwhile, Wall Street’s banking sector looks increasingly unstable as the American housing market plummets further.

China showcased its economic and sporting might at the Beijing Olympic Games in August. At the opening ceremony in the Bird’s Nest stadium, billions worldwide watched the completion of the Olympic Torch’s "Journey of Harmony." The Games were a resounding success for China, whose team won top place on the medals table.

Having violently rigged an election, Robert Mugabe remains President of Zimbabwe. MDC Opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai accepted the position of Prime Minister in a "power-sharing" deal which hopes to restore international aid to the country. However, with inflation at over 11,000,000%, time is running out for ordinary Zimbabweans who desperately need food and medicines. It is also unlikely that Mugabe will be held accountable for the torture and murder tactics used against Tsvangirai’s supporters. Many commentators are pessimistic: Mugabe, Head of Government since 1980, is notoriously bad at "power-sharing."

In the Middle-East, Iraq and Afghanistan remain under military occupation by mostly American and British troops. The "War on Terror" continues, with America undertaking military operations inside Pakistan without the permission of their Government.

Russia’s invasion of Georgia sparked international controversy in August, raising questions concerning Europe’s growing influence on the doorstep of the former Soviet Union. Fears of a new Cold War were shortlived, although the West continues to treat Russia with caution, not least because Europe is heavily reliant on Russia’s vast natural gas and oil supplies.