Sydney - Sydney lawyer Brett Solomon has heaps of clout in Australian politics.

In July, when the pope visited Australia, he frightened Catholic leaders by threatening to mobilize his 280,000 followers in protests over the new police powers voted through to protect the pontiff.

"It's important at times like this that our organization stands up for what's right," Solomon said, adding, "I think that we need to be vigilant about our civil liberties."

Solomon, 38, is not the head of a political party but the leader of GetUp!

Friedrichshafen, Germany - The makers

Freiburg, Germany - GHB has been dubbed "liquid ecstasy," a misleading name if ever there was one. Short for gamma hydroxybutyrate, GHB is chemically unrelated to its fellow club drug Ecstasy.

Sydney - It's lunchtime in Sydney and there are more fitness-conscious office workers in the pool doing laps than there are in the park doing circuits in their running shoes.

Düsseldorf - Glossy fashion magazines are getting competition from internet fashion blogs that are not only cheaper but also faster.