Merkel presents a plan to be placed in the European treaty to help restore peace and the Euro. This binding agreement, in Merkel’s eyes, will help the Euro strengthen rapidly.

America is worried the once they pull all troops out of Iraq, there is going to be a large possibility of Civil War breaking out in Iraq. It would be because disputing areas within Iraq could spark Civil War. Although Afgan security forces will be present, confidence isnt high that they could stop the violence.

The International Criminal Courts have issued an arrest warrant for the defense minister of Sudan Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein. He is being indicted on criminal charges involving genocide in Darfur. A top Sudanese official has denied the charges and a made clear they would not affect Sudan. Hussein denies the charges and refuses to hand himself over the International Criminal Court.

Election-related violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed at least 18 civilians between November 26 and 28. President Joseph Kabila is running for re-election against 10 challengers. A preliminary European Union report says election observers saw ballot box stuffing and ballot shortages, and that some people were turned away from the polls.

Greece’s financial problem was considered to be a minor problem in Europe. Now things had change for Italy and Spain are endanger of receiving the economic problems of Greece. The other States, Sweden and Austria, are not so willing to help through financial transaction tax. Perhaps the European Central Bank can help Greece and save Italy from experiencing disaster.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) based in Afghanistan performed air strikes against Pakistan at the border and killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The Pakistan soldiers did not fight back because there was a communication error that prevented the all clear message to go through properly. Pakistan’s Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated that all soldiers have full permission to fight against any NATO member who creates a cross-border attack. He wants to make sure that in the event that NATO attacks again, all his soldiers are prepared and ready to stand up against them unlike the previous recent situation.

There were 2 attacks in Iraq on Thursday, a day in which Joe Biden was visiting Iraq officials to discuss the future of United States/Iraq relations. The two separate attacks killed 18 people in the northeastern Iraqi province of Diyala. One attack, a car bomb, exploded in a marketplace in a town called Khalis just as morning shoppers began to arrive. The other attack occurred as assailants stormed the house of a known anti-al-Qaeda lead in an area that was an al-Qaeda hotbed during 2004-2007. In the past 8 days, at least 56 Iraqis have been killed in separate attacks across the country.

After three decades, Egyptians were finally able to vote since the fall of the President Hosni Mubarak. The first round is the first in the multi-step process, which allows citizens to pick members of the lower house of parliament. The elections will be conducted over three rounds, each involving polling in nine governors. The results in the first round of voting are being postponed and said to be released on either Friday or Saturday.

The European Union in Brussels has recently taken steps to impose a trade embargo on certain individuals and companies that have been involved with Iran’s nuclear program. Another restriction placed on Iran is travel. Iranians will now not be able to travel within most of Europe’s states. However, Iran who claims this nuclear program is for peaceful purposes opposed to causing mass destruction.

Leaders of the European Union (EU) have agreed to impose and enforce embargoes over 39 people and 141 firms in connection with Iran’s nuclear program. These embargoes also include freezing Iranian assets and ban travel as well. EU officials came to the agreement after a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that stated Iran had carried out tests related to “development of a nuclear device". In response Iran claims that the nuclear activity is for peaceful purposes. The EU has yet to include oil bans from the country due to the fact that many of the European countries involved depend on Iranian oil.

Egypt has just gotten out of a decade long military rule and everyone is going out to vote in this peaceful, free, and fair election. This is a big deal to Egyptians so a great deal of the mare turning out to vote. This is over stressing the system so they are taking longer to get the results. However, because of the gravity of the election everyone is tense about who will win, and this delay is only worsening that.

Amid the massive controversey surrounding the Iranian nuclear program and the possibility of the production of nuclear weapons, I ran has just thrown more fuel on the fire. Tuesday, Iranian protestors stormed two UK diplomatic compounds, one being the embassy in Tehran. The protestors, who were voicing there anger over mounting sanctions by the UK, stormed the buildings tuesday and had several british diplomatic officals in their power. The protestors also had set fire to one of the compounds. The result has seen the UK expelling all Iranian diplomats from the UK. Iran responded likewise by sending the Uk diplomats back to london.

A cross-border military air strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers is being called a deliberate act of aggression by Pakistan’s military. The Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, was quoted as saying, “Enough is enough. The government will not tolerate any incident of spilling even a single drop of any civilian or soldier’s blood.” Pakistan has withdrawn from Afghanistan peace talks that will be taking place in Germany, in protest of the attack.

Colombian drug lord Maximiliano Bonilla Orozco, better known as Valenciano, was captured in Venezuela while trying to carry drug money into Mexico.

Syria’s protests have stepped up as thousands are killed while the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, characterizes the situation as a civil war. Protests have been going on since March. The Syrian National Council (SNC) has organized with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to oppose President Al-Assad. Both the SNC and FSA has come to an agreement that they will only use military force to defend civilians and not for offensive tactics.

In a recently released video, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri claims that the terrorist group is holding U.S citizen Warren Weinstein. Weinstein was captured by an armed group in the city of Lahore, Pakistan almost four months ago. Weinstein has lived in Pakistan for the past five years, and is a former USAID worker. Ayman al-Zawahiri has offered to release Weinstein if the United States would halt air strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. Ayman al-Zawahiri also called for the release of suspects believed to be apart of the Taliban and as well as al-Qaeda.

The president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, discussed the urgency of unity in the Eurozone in order to promote economic recovery. He claimed that Europe’s response to the current debt crisis hasn’t been fast enough. Sarkozy explained that France and Germany would team up in order to encourage a new European treaty to help bring the nations together and work together toward an improving economy. Sarkozy speculates that if the Eurozone cannot unite in the near future, the Eurozone will be split into two factions: one faction that is moving toward integration and unity in the Eurozone, and the other faction for promotion of a confederation in the EU.

American advisers are worried that as America pulls out of Iraq, disputed areas in Iraq may plunge the country as a whole into a civil war. Although the bulk of American presence will no longer be felt in Iraq, Iraqi governments in both Baghdad and Erbil have promised to maintain stability in these areas and throughout Iraq. These areas in dispute are one of the main problems the Baghdad and Erbil governments will face. There are three stipulations in article 140 that are supposed to resolve the disputed territory dilemma. However as of now none of these stipulations have been put into effect although they were supposed to be implemented at the end of 2007.

Relations between the UK and Iran have hit the rocks, what the Iranian government called protesters stormed the UK embassy in Tehran and ransacked the premises and stole personal items and files, among other things. Immediately following this, the UK ordered closure of the Iranian embassy in London and for the Iranian embassy worked to be out of the UK within 48 hours. German followed suite and temporarily pulled out their ambassador in Iran in accordance with the UK and its goals to support them and safekeeping of their citizens. These attacks follow the imposition of further sanctions on the Iranian nuclear program.

Earlier this month, Israel froze tax money owed to the Palestinian Authority (PA) after the PA asked for, and was granted, membership to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Israel said it will soon release the withheld funds but warned that the PA should discontinue its “unilateral steps” around peace talks.

The United Kingdom recently imposed sanctions on the Iranian Embassy located in London, ordering the facility to close within 48 hours. This follows recent attacks on, along with the forced closing of the United Kingdom Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Foreign Secretary William Hague declared that this was not the first event to begin the strife between the two States.

The protesters in Egypt turn out again in Tahrir Square to protest, except this time they are protesting the actions of the ruling military council. Egyptians feel that things are not improving and the document that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces infringes on the Egyptian constitution.

The government in Syria has agreed, in principle, to allow observers from the Arab League into the country. The main goal of the observers is to try to help stop the bloodshed occurring in Syria. The cause of the bloodshed is protests calling for a change in Syrian government. The Syrian government has asked for unspecified amendments to be made to the proposal. This comes after reports of an estimated 3,500 people being killed since the protests started in March.

During the past week, Syrian opposition have united with the development of a national council in order to overthrow the current president’s, Bashar Assad, regime. Such action is pushing the country to the brink of civil war. The president is being criticized and asked to be taken out of occupancy.

Four hundred Christians went, marching, in Cairo, Egypt, to Tahrir Square (the middle point in Cairo). The Coptic Christians were attacked by the locals at the Bulak neighborhood. They threw stones at the Christians and 27 were killed. And another protest against the attack of a church led a retaliation of the military. Witnesses said that troops began shooting at the crowd as well ramming them with two armored vehicles. The Coptic Christians fear of discrimination came true.

Nations a part of the Eurozone are finally cooperating effectively to seek change for the better of the current debt crisis. Major countries included in the deals going on are Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Greece. These countries have been major actors in changing the current debt conditions within Europe.

Ehud Barak, Israel’s minister of defense gaffed earlier this week when comments made by him, about Iran and how if he were Iranian he would “probably” have a nuclear program, made headlines. Barak was later caught stating that his comments were misunderstood, and he did not sympathize with Iran.

Right now the relationship between Turkey and the Arab Spring is conflicting because of how the countries view each other. Attitudes toward each other are sparking, because of difference of opinion which causes problems with negotiating. Therefore problems in negotiating, lead to other problems between the countries. Riots have broken out in Turkey and government officials are hoping that the conflict does not led to more riots or possibly war.

Concerns continue to increase as more evidence of Iran’s nuclear program is brought to light. The major fear is that there is a distinct military purpose to the program. The United States and its allies attempt to negotiate with Iran to determine whether or not their intentions are peaceful ones. Diplomacy could no longer be an option if those opposed to the program continue to disagree about the actual authorization of the program.

Protestors stormed into Kuwait’s Parliament to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah. A member of the ruling family, Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah is being accused of corruption. The Prime Minister denies the allegations. According to the Kuwait Interior Ministry the protesters injured at least five security guards and “led to the damage of public property[.]”

According to the 2010 census, white Brazilians are no longer the majority race in 2011. Of the 191 million Brazilians, 91 million of them identify as white, 82 of them consider themselves mixed race and 15 million consider themselves black. White Brazilians fell from 53.7% of the population to 47.7% of the population in 10 years.

Opposition to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been firming since the beginning of the Arab Spring earlier this year.

Unrest is Syria is contined, now with the high possibility of leading to a civil war. Early this past wednesday renegade forces known as the Free Syrian Army or FSA carried out an attack in Harasta. The attack left six Syrian government soldiers dead, and a nine year old girl. Syrian President Al Assad is recieving critisim and being told that he needs to step down as Syrian President. It started with his crackdown on the eight month uprising and now the fighting between the government soldiers and the FSA. Because of the uprising and now the attacks a civil war doesn’t seem far off in Syria’s future.

Syrian violence has hit a critical point. The Syrian government has now started to lay landmines around villages to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching its citizens. The Syrian government has also tightened up security around the border to prevent evacuees from fleeing. There have been unconfirmed reports of attacks from the Free Syrian Army which supposedly killed six government soldiers. The attacks from the opposition could very well be a precursor to civil war in Syria. The opposition has claimed they are smuggling in weapons from various outside sources. The United Arab League drew up a plan which would end violence in Syria but the Assad government has taken no actions to help.

President Al Assad is facing more and more pressure every day. At first he was just criticized in the way he was handling the 8 month protest in his country. However, outside powers have called for his removal and his regime is causing Syria significant harm. His heavy handed dealings with the protestors has even cause part of the army to split off and attack governmental forces. These renegarde soldiers call themselves the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and recently attacked an airforce base. The situation in Syria continues to grow closer to all out civil war everyday. Protestors are growing in number, and President Al Assad refuses to back down amid heavy outside pressure, such as economic sanctions from the Arab League and the European Union.

On November, 17th 2011 President Obama traveled to Australia to announce that the United States will eventually station 2500 marines in Australia’s Northern territory. Obama has stated that the occupation of the marines “would meet the demands of a lot of partners in the region". The move is viewed as America looking to stay relevant and competitive in a booming Asian economy, specifically in China. China has criticized the United States for “flexing its muscles over the South China Sea issue". America looks to refresh its ties with Australia with the move, as well as reminding China that they will be relevant and apart of the Asian boom.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has approved Myanmar’s request to lead their regional bloc in 2014. Myanmar’s history with military rule, and it’s unsavory record regarding human rights , have prevented them from consideration in the past. This decision was based on Myanmar’s reformed civillian government; a lot of positive feedback has been given to Myanmar for its efforts to tolerate criticism, legislation of labor unions and making peace with certain ethnic minority groups. Myanmar has vowed that this government change will bring significant economic growth and much-needed social reformation. Myanmar’s position as chair will help it become a quality member of ASEAN.

Mario Monti, Italy’s new prime minister, has said that Italy faced a “serious emergency” as he outlined austerity measures aimed at restoring investor confidence in the country’s strained public finances. Monti, who unveiled a cabinet of technocrats on Wednesday, has been entrusted with the task of reducing a public debt of $2.6tn and restoring economic growth.
Making clear that he would target cutting Italy’s huge public debt and stimulate growth, Monti said Italy had a higher average retirement age than in France and Germany, and that chronic tax evasion must be fought while reducing the overall tax burden. Monti said on Wednesday he was confident that his new government would help restore confidence to panicked financial markets, but the task he faces was underlined by the continued surge in Italian bond yields.
European leaders have welcomed the appointment of Monti, a sober and reserved economist and tough negotiator with a decade of experience as a European commissioner. Meanwhile, thousands of students staged protests in several Italian cities against Mr. Monti’s government. Riot police intervened in Milan after hundreds of students protesting against the “bankers’ government” tried to reach Bocconi University, which is headed by Mr. Monti, an economist. In Palermo, Sicily, demonstrators reportedly hurled eggs and smoke bombs at a bank, and others threw stones at police. In Rome, hundreds of students gathered outside Sapienza University, while others assembled near the main train station, apparently with the aim of marching on the Senate. “We are on the streets because we want to underline the contradictions that are between the fall of Berlusconi government and the rise of the Monti government,” said student Salvatore Corizza in Rome.

After attempting to ride an “Israeli” bus to into Jerusalem, six Palestinian activists were detained by Israeli police on Tuesday. Palestinians are not allowed into Jerusalem without a permit issued by Israeli officials and, although there are no official laws that ban Palestinians from riding Israeli buses, it has become a social rule and many bus drivers have refused to pick up Palestinians at bus stops. It is reported that the occupied territory in the West Bank, Palestine, is “home to 2.5 million Palestinians and some 300,000 Jewish occupiers”. Although it is against “international law” to create settlements, Israel has been occupying and building settlements in Palestine with increasing numbers in recent years.

United States President Barack Obama recently announced the deployment of Marines to Australia. China has been growing closer to its neighbors economically. There is also wariness over the State’s growing military power. Since China is be preparing to stretch over its borders, the United States has been working to secure its own foot in the door of the Pacific. The United States is attempting to strengthen its alliance with Australia. President Obama announced that the deployment of Marines to Northern Australia was meant to emphasize the desire for a greater, “co-operation,” with the State.

Yemeni soldiers shelled civilian neighborhoods in Taiz, the second largest city in Yemen and a center for protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has found evidence that Iran is in the ongoing process of developing nuclear weapons. At the Parchin military site near Tehran, the IAEA has found evidence that strongly points to the possibility of nuclear development. Iran officials deny all speculation that they have ongoing research, calling the IAEA’s work a “lousy job of intelligence.”

After a week of turmoil in the greece the new interim government is sworn into office with Prime minister Papademos. Papademos will lead a coalition until elections, which are expected to be held in February. The new coalition government, formed on Friday, includes ministers from the country’s two main parties - the Socialists who have governed for the past two years, and the conservatives, as well as from a smaller right-wing party. Among those included in the cabinet is Evangelos Venizelos, retaining the key position of finance minister.

The European Union is renewing its sanctions to keep Iran at bay. There are concerns that Iran is making nuclear weapons. The old sanctions did not worked, for Iranian banks found ways to keep the State running. With the new sanctions the EU hopes to restrict Iran even further to make sure no nukes are made or sent to Iran. Before the UN can get with the plan, Russia and China has to be on board.

A US Army sergeant was convicted of murdering unarmed Afghanistan civilians in a court martial on Thursday. Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs was also convicted of removing fingers from their corpses as a war prize, which he likened to removing the antlers from a deer. Gibbs was the suspected ring leader of a self proclaimed “kill team” squad, which committed the premeditated murders during a 3 month period last year. In total, 5 soldiers from Gibbs’ infantry unit were accused of murder. Gibbs, the ringleader, was sentenced to jail time, but would be eligible for parole in 8 ½ years.

A seven-month crackdown on pro-democracy protests continues to become more and more violent in Syria. Just this week, 30 civilians were killed in the uprising against President of Syria Bashar al-Assad’s rule. This has become one of the deadliest chapters in the Arab spring. Bashar al-Assad has been in power since 2000, after the death of his father who ruled for 30 years.

Daniel Ortega, former president of Nicaragua, was reelected once again after being president in 1990 and in 2006. Ortega remained influential in politics and ran for presidency several times. After serving two terms, Ortega was forbidden to run for presidency in the 2011 elections, but since he remained influential, he was able to easily control Supreme Court. This is unconstitutional, yet Ortega has the support from Hugo Chavez and a few other nations who are providing him large amounts of money.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran was in the process of developing a nuclear device until last year; however there are no credible sources saying that Tehran has ended the program and they could still potentially be working on the device. This report caused Israel to say they may strike Tehran because of previous tensions between Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel. Iran defended by threatening that any attacks “would be met by ‘iron fists’” since the reason for the nuclear program is for research and not conflicts, or so they say.

On Wednesday the Venezuelan Major League Baseball Player Wilson Ramos, was abducted by men in a 4x4 orange vehicle. They forcefully kidnapped him while he was talking to friends and family. No Ransom has been demanded.

The euro debt crisis which started in Greece has threatened Italy now. Berlusconi is being pressured to step down from the public. He proposed austerity measures much like Greece had and I suppose due to this we should expect the same reaction. There is now stress as both Greece and Italy work tirelessly to get this debt crisis worked out.

Italian economy has gone down the tank and it is soon to be in the hands of former EU Commissioner Mario Monti. Italy must find a way to pay off its debts and secure funding for future investments. The current proposed Eurozone bailout is too small to help the Italian economy. In the coming year Italy will owe 304 billion euros in old government bonds. With interest rates around 7 percent it will be extremely unaffordable for Italy to pay it back. The new transitional government made up of so called technocrats will come into power hopefully by the weekend to ensure that Italy, 17 percent of the Eurozone’s economy doesn’t end up like Greece.

Just a few days ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave a report that claimed that Iran’s nuclear program may be geared towards the manufacture of nuclear weapons. After Iran’s first nuclear powerplant powered up recently, there has been a growing fear that the government may be using it to begin a nuclear weapons program. The fear and allegations have come from some states in the region, such as Israel, and several western powers. Iranian offcials have denied all the allegations that they are trying to produce nuclear weapons, and have said that these allegations are being made up so that the United States and its allies can justify some kind of military action against Iran.

20-21 miners, number disputed from several sources, were killed in an apparent gas leak. The incident happened early on Thursday at the Sizhuang mine in Yunnan province’s Qujing city. The mine has been operating illegally due to its license being suspended last year because of safety issues. Rescue worker have been working around the click to find the remaining works, but no survivors have been found thus far. Some reports state that the gas leak lead to an explosion with the mine causing the rest of the workers to become trapped. This accident followed another tragedy in a Chinese mine. The central government has been fighting to make mines more safe and shutting down the ones operating illegally.

India on Thursday asked Pakistan to put “all cards on the table” during the next round of comprehensive talks so that both countries could actually move towards resolving some of the issues stressing their ties.

Mexican officials have captured Ovidio Limon Sanchez. Sanchez has been the Don of the Sinaloa Crime Family which has been smuggling cocaine and other illegal drugs to the United States. With a reward of 5 million dollars on his head, Sanchez was captured by Mexican officials in Culiacan without a shot being fired.

In Cairo Egypt, calls for a major political demonstration of November the 18 has been called to take place by many political party’s in order to protest against the supra-constitutional principles that are made by the Government to be the guidelines for the upcoming new Egyptian constitution. Many political parties, including the nation’s Islamist, object this proposal because primarily two articles that give the Army complete sovereignty over its own arms deals as well as its budget. They fear that this will put the Army above the Parliament, something they believe should not happen in a democratic Egypt country. The Government on the other hand, feels that in would be a threat of national security if they aloud the world to know the budget of the army and therefor that these articles are very necessary. Because of this debate, many political parties have and are continuing to join the opponents of the supra-constitutional principals, and are agreeing to take part in a public protest on November the 18, an act the the government claims harbors the “conspiratorial agendas” of the dubbed “traitors"

Italy is believed to be next in the economical crisis in Europe. The already weak economy is following closely in relation to that of Greece. Greece’s collapse is believed to be the first in a somewhat domino effect of larger economies collapse. Despite their relatively stable economy, high debt level will eventually cause Italy’s demise. The debt continues to rise even though the country has become less dependent on foreign assistance. A new deal was proposed to support the funding of economies in need, such as Greece. This plan is meant to decrease how much money is borrowed in order to ensure economic prosperity.

South Korea looks to relieve tensions with North Korea by sending $6.94 million dollars to their northern neighbors. The money, which will go through the United Nations, intends to equip North Korean hospitals battle malnutrition and starvation that the people of North Korea are suffering from. Many infants and children of North Korea are the victims of starvation, and South Korea looks to offer some relief to those who are. The money itself will not be given directly by South Korea, it will go through the United Nations.

Intervention from the ECB helped Italy keep its head above the water. However, it also increased France, Australia and Belgium’s borrowing costs to record highs. This caused their debt to raise up 9-14 basis points, respectively. The ECB has been becoming more aggressive with their interventions with Italian bonds. This is expected to cause more tension in financial segments and, eventually, a downward revision of growth forecasts. Italian economists are urging the eurozone to accelerate structural reform before it’s too late.

The Euro zone crisis is causing major problems in the countries of Europe right now. China has prepared vital economic support, so the countries can not only carry but survive for that matter. China and Europe are at different stages in their economic development, however China is still willing to aid parts of Europe and Europe has obviously accepted because of its fragile state.

Representatives for the United Nations recently claimed that the United Kingdom, France, and Columbia will withhold from voting on Palestine’s bid for statehood if it indeed goes to a vote in the Security Council. Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has announced that Palestine will not settle for a status upgrade to an “observer state”. Palestine’s foreign minister, Riyad al-Maliki, has announced that although Palestine won its membership into the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it will not seek to further its status at any UN body other than at the UN Security Council.

Iran recently accused the United States of planning to attack Iran in order to thwart their nuclear power abilities. The nuclear program of Iran is thought to be able to compete with other programs in the developed world. Iran has made claims accusing Israel of being behind this plot as well, claiming that the State has recently been testing missiles capable of reaching Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov warned against attacking Iran as a precaution, stating that it could lead to more casualties than necessary. The accusations from Iran come after the annunciation of an investigation into the alleged efforts of Iran to produce nuclear bombs.

On November 6, Otto Perez Molina won Guatemala’s presidential election. His opponent Manuel Baldizon lost by 10 points. Molina has made promises to the country, such as a providing better income by giving workers an extra month’s salary a year, and reinstating the death penalty and television executions. Twenty-five years later, Molina would be the first former military leader elected president.

European leaders are determined to leave Greece out of the equation of the euro zone, if Greece does not agree to a bail out program. To the European leaders, it is vital to push for the strengthening of an economy and currency system, than to deal with the political and financial turmoil of Greece.

At least nine Syrians that were protesting in the streets of Syria were killed Friday. The Syrians were protesting to denounce a “conspiracy” to bypass demands for major political change they believe is occurring between the Arab League and the Syrian regime in Damascus.

With a vote of one hundred seven to fourteen (107-14) in favor of Palestine, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Palestine a full member of its organization at its UNESCO General Conference. There was much speculation as to whether the vote would sway in Palestine’s favor because of the United States’ threat to cut funding to UNESCO if it had admitted Palestine as a member to its committee. The US currently makes up around twenty-two percent of UNESCO’s funding.

The mayor of La Piedad, Ricardo Guzman, was killed in a drive-by shooting Wednesday night after handing out fliers for the candidate Luisa Maria Calderon promoting an upcoming November election. He was a member of the National Action Party (PAN) and was active in the fight against Mexican drug cartels. The investigation of the killer’s identity is still ongoing and it is unknown whether or not it was a drug war related death.

Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, has been asked to resign by opposition parties. This happened because of the extreme economic crisis taking place in Greece. Papandreou has been facing a lot of opposition, especially after proposing a referendum to solve the crisis. His party holds a slight majority in parliament but has been dividing as plans move forward, especially after it was made clear that no referendum would be held.

The miners were trap in the city of Sanmenxia in the mine called Qianqiu. Seven out of the 57 miners were rescued by the local rescue headquarters. There were 75 miners in the mine and 14 of them got out when the accident occurred. All of this happen when a rock burst along with an explosion made this horrible event.

children all over Africa are being kidnapped and forced into becoming killing blood thirsty machines. More than 30,000 children have been taken from their homes, schools and villages to fight bloody wars over tribe territory or political issues. These children are brain washed and trained to kill. Many never return home and those who do are turned away by their family and friend. The African government signed a treaty with the United Nations to stop recruitment of children, but the African government is stuck on what to do with the many children left behind. These children are left with the trill of killing they do not know how to act with other children and they are very violent.

The tiny gas rich state of Qatar will hold parliamentary elections in 2013. Under the newly drafted constitution, 30 of the council’s members will be elected while 15 will be appointed. So far, elections have only consisted of municipal positions. Political parties are banned in Qatar. The emir of Qatar said “we all know that all these steps are necessary to build the modern state of Qatar."

On wednesday, Syria agreed to an Arab league plan to withdraw troops from its cities, and to release political prisoners. Protestors say that President Bashar al-Assad has done neither. After several months of protests that have called for the Syrian President to stand down, he apparently agreed to an Arab league plan to withdraw the military from the cities, to release prisoners, and to open talks with the opposition. Renewed violence on wednesday and thursday shows that Assad shows to intentions to do so as several more people were killed, particularly in the city oh Homs.

Greek President George Papandreou puts the brakes on a Referendum vote

Georgia signs trade deal giving Russia access to the WTO. This has been an 18-year journey for Russia, who has tried to gain access to the WTO since 1993. Entry requires approval from each WTO member country and Russia has failed to get approval from Georgia because of the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, which last a fought a War in 2008.

Cuba announced Thursday that it will legalize the purchase and sale of real estate for the first time in a very long time. It has not been allowed in Cuba since before the revolution. The law, which will take affect on November 10, is a huge step in promoting free-market changes for Cuba. President Raul Castro has been ushering in certain reforms lately promoting free-market, but this is undoubtedly the most important. Though with the new law, there will still be some restrictions.

on Wednesday video footage of military tanks in the city of Homs was released that showed mounted machine guns firing on civilians. These civilians are opposition to the government and it is reported that at least 3000 people have been killed since demonstrations have started

Initially Turkey turned down aid from Israel. Turkey suffered a devastating earthquake, killing some of its citizens as well injuring many others. The earthquake also caused damage to buildings and roadways. Israel offered aid to Turkey right after the earthquake, yet Turkey turned the offer down. Last Turkey reversed the offer and welcome aid from Israel. Both parties said the aid between them did change how the countries “felt about each other.”

Palestine is to be admitted as a member of UNESCO after 107 delegates voted to approve the State. Palestine is striving to become a full member of the United Nations. The United States and Israel are opponents of Palestine joining the United Nations.

Recent meetings between the European Financial Stability Facility and Chinese leaders have yet to set a formal deal but the deal is estimated to cover 70bn euros to cover the European debt.

US-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel returned to Tel Aviv yesterday, and became reunited with his mother. Grapel was detained in June on spying charges, which he denies. There is a wide spread belief in Cairo that Grapel was innocent the entire time. Meanwhile, 25 Egyptian prisoners crossed back into Egypt during this exchange.

Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia was named the new crown prince and Deputy Prime Minister today. Prince Nayef takes over this position after Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz passed away from colon cancer roughly a week ago. Prince Nayef was appointed by the Allegiance Council, which was set up in 2006 to help ease the process of succession in Saudi Arabia. Prince Nayef has been the Interior Minister for Saudi Arabia since 1975. Prince Nayef is largely credited for ending al Qaeda attacks in the kingdom.

After the Tunisians kick out their dictator (Zine el Ben Ali), they began to start in the election process. Ennahda, one of the political parties, had protestors at their building and these two thousand people threw rocks at security. The protests occurred when certain political candidates victories were consider invalid. As a way to stop the people’s unrest the Tunisian police force shot tear gas. The election officials stated that there were some finical violations in some of the seats resulting in being replaced.

After 18 years of negotiations over the WTO (World Trade Organization) Russia is on the verge of joining. This would be a huge membership as Russia has a very large amount of exports to Europe and this begins to streamline the cooperation between the states. Georgia has the power to veto Russia’s involvement in WTO and waited to decide because they are longtime rivals.

Ilan Grapel, a US-Israel citizen, was released from Egyptian custody after being arrested as a spy in June. Israel agreed to exchange 25 Egyptian prisoners for the return of Grapel. None of the Egyptian prisoners released were any sort of security threat to Israel. Whether or not Grapel was actually a spy is still up to speculation.

The pressure the United States and the West is bringing to bear on Iran to keep it from acquiring nuclear weapons is over. Not only does the Islamic Republic already have nuclear weapons from the old Soviet Union, but it has enough uranium for more. What’s worse, it has a delivery system. The West for nearly a decade has worried about Iran’s uranium advances, believing Iran is working on a nuclear bomb, though the government maintains its uranium is only for peaceful purposes.

Weeks after Kenyan military troops were deployed to Somalia to pursue the Somali militant group al-Shabab, there have been several retaliatory attacks in Kenya. The radical Islamic group has been responsible for three grenade attacks in and around Nairobi. The offensive is being led by Kenya after several murders, kidnappings, and other terrorist attacks occurred that were sponsored by the al-Shabab.

Second son of Muammar Gadaffi, Seif Al-Islam, has expressed his willingness to turn himself over to the Hagues War Crimes Court. Seif Al-Islam apparently has expressed concern and fear for his own life after the death of his father. The Libyan rebels who executed Muammar Gadaffi were exceptionally brutal when they discovered the former Libyan leader. Seif Al-Islam knows that his fate would be just as brutal if caught while on the run. The realization that he may not be safe across African borders has made him realize spending a sentence in a jail cell would be less excruciating. Seif Al-Islam has been rumored to be looking to strike a deal with the ICC to turn himself over to the Hagues court.

The Israeli-US citizen Ilan Grapel was a prisoner in Egypt and had been arrested for charges of espionage. He was swapped with 25 Egyptian prisoners who were held in Israel. The exchange occurred after a deal was finally reached between Israeli and Egyptian officials. Grapel flew from Cairo to Tel-Aviv, but the Egyptian prisoners were escorted to the border by the Israel Prison Service (IPS).

Talks to come to an agreement ended late Wednesday night in Brussels. The talks were to help Greece get its finances in order and make sure other countries such as Italy and Spain do not drown in debt like their sister Greece has been. The big part of the plan is to make the banks holding Greece’s debt to take a 50% haircut which in turn would take away 50% of Greece’s debt right off the bat making things a little more manageable. Furthermore, Eurozone’s bailout fund would increase to one trillion Euros and banks are encouraged to raise more capital to ensure they could with stand another government default.

After the collapse of a proposed Treaty in Yemen on Tuesday between governmental forces and protesters, violence has only increased in urban areas, particularly in the capital, Sanaa. Tensions have only increased ever since a failed attempt on the life of President Saleh’s life, his subsequent return to the country, and his refusal to step down. Several outside powers have backed a plan to have Saleh leave power and have a transitional government take over, but Saleh refuses. He has now seemingly embarked on a rather brutal bombardment strategy to try and break the will of the protesters.

The family of Moammar Gadhafi has hired a french lawyer to represent them against the International Criminal Court. They are going to file a complaint with the ICC stating that NATO’s actions are to blame for Moammar Gadhafi’s death in Sirte. NATO ordered an airstrike on a convoy in Sirte, and was not aware that Gadhafi was in the convoy. There is much confusion as to the circumstances on exactly how Gadhafi was killed. Homemade videos from people in Sirte at the time of the strike show that after the airstrike Gadhafi was alive. It shows that he was then dragged through the streets alive. What is the source of most of the confusion in his death is that it was later determined that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Tensions rise as Euopean leaders have yet to efficiently work together and develop a plan to combat the current debt crisis. Germany presented a bill at the Eurozone Summit on Wednesday to push Europe in the right direction away from the current debt crisis. As hostilities and debates continue, European leaders reach out to other countries to rescue Europe from the current debt crisis. One chief trader with Europe and possible key to unlocking the door to escape economic depression is China. China has not given any indication on whether or not they will provide bailout funding for Europe.

The United States’ President, Barack Obama, announced on Friday that the US would be pulling out all remaining troops in Iraq by the year’s end. This announcement comes days after Iraqi government officials released statements addressing their refusal to grant American soldiers immunity past December of this year.

On Thursday, two bombs went off killing 12 people and wounding 48. The first bomb went off in a music store which reportedly killed two individuals. This caused panic as rescue workers and construction workers rushed to the scene to aid the wounded when another bomb went off. Although no party has claimed the bombing yet, it reconfirms the fears that once American pulls out there solders in December, the country will not yet be strong enough to maintain security and violence will again raise.

On Thursday, Countries gather together to help Greece in their debt and solve the continent’s debt crisis. Investors have agreed to accept loses of 50 per cent on their Greek bonds. Greece citizens are not very happy with the help; instead, they seem to be angry with the decision. A Greece citizen states “What rescue? Europe has betrayed us. Can’t they see we’ve nothing left to give?” People are upset about the prospect of years of awful belt-tightening demanded by lenders.

Ilan Grapel was held for five months in prison for alleged spying on Egypt for the Israeli Mossad. He had not attempted to hide his identity in anyway while in Cairo which was where he was arrested. Israel traded twenty- five Egyptian prisoners for Grapel’s release. Israel does however emphasis that the prisoners it released were only in prison for none terroristic charges and three were minors.

Last Friday, the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna announced in a public statement that it would be ending its terrorist activity. The announcement came two days after a UN peace conference. ETA support is declining and there have been many members of the ETA arrested. The Euskadi Ta Askatasuna killed over 800 people in Spain and parts of France in their campaign.

Ghana is dealing with a concerning drought that is causing the women in the area to struggle with the consequences. The climate change has a lot of the women and families unsure of what to do as far as finding food and water. The primary concern is for the government to allow women to help with the policies and programs, so the climate challenge won’t be such a battle for these women.

The Eurozone recently unveiled a plan to help the debt crisis in Greece. The plan will make banks lose fifty percent in Greece’s current debt, allow the current bailout fund to increase to $1.4 trillion, and mandate that banks raise more capital to prevent future crisis. The main objective was to relieve Greece while preventing further economic downfall to hit Spain and Italy. The solution will be finalized sometime in November but for now the Eurozone has bought some time to prevent further economic decline.

Tunisia, the country in which the Arab Spring began, is celebrating the end of a peaceful election. Indicators show that the moderate Islamic group Ennahda will soon have power. Ennahda is said to be modeled after the party of Prime Minister Erdoğan of Turkey. The elections took place with no violence. This is a positive sign of a peaceful transition to a new, more democratic government.

Former Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed when NTC fighters overwhelmed his last supporters in his hometown of Sirte. There are conflicting sources as to the circumstances of his death as there is video of him being captured alive, but he is reportted as having been shot in the head during the assault.

Yesterday marked an end to a brutal era in Libyan history. Muammar Gaddafi was killed in his hometown of Sirte by the rebel troops. He was taken from a large concrete pipe where he was hiding. He was captured and killed shortly after the rebel discovery. After the announcement of Gaddafi’s death, the excitement could not be contained in the streets of Tripoli.

Khaddafi was brutalized when he was caught by the rebels that he despised so much. He said that he was going to fight to the last bullet and that’s what he did. The rebels were able to take hold of him and beat him while the rest of the rebels celebrated in the background. It is not known how exactly he was killed, but the official story is that he was killed in a crossfire between the two sides when he was trying to escape but it is widely speculated that he was executed on the spot.

The Basque terrorist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) of Spain announced that they are definite in their decision to stop armed activity in what the Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero declares a “victory of democracy". ETA wants to open direct dialogue between Spain and France to solve the consequences of the conflicts that have occurred over the past 43 years.

Gaddafi has recently died and so has his reign of terror. Now, there is a possibility of a democratic system for Libya. Gaddafi was killed during the battle near his hometown of Sirte between his loyalist and anti-loyalist.

The State Statistics Service confirmed that poverty in Russia has increased by more than two million in the past year. Of Russia’s 21.1 million person population, about 15 percent is below poverty.

A new bill was proposed in Greece this past week. This bill would utilize harsh austerity measures. It passed with 154 of the 300 seats in parliament meaning that it will go into effect soon. Riots broke out in response to social projects having their funding cut in the austerity measures. These riots are returning from months of pressure from the debt in Greece.

: A prisoner exchange occurred between Israel and Palestine on Tuesday. Four hundred forty-seven Palestinians returned to their families in exchange for one Israeli man held captive by Palestinian authorities. This exchange comes during heavy Palestinian and Israeli tension after Palestine submitted a bid for statehood to the UN.

Despite riots and protests the Greece’s Parliament passed a new austerity bill 154-144. The bill will cut pensions, wages, and temporary lay-offs for some 30,000 public sector jobs. One thing the bill will not cut is taxes which will rise to help meet demands of the austerity. The adopting of the bill should certify the European Union and International Monetary Fund loan Greece 8 billion Euros which should keep the country afloat past November.

Muammar Gaddafi, leader of Libya, was killed in his hometown, Sirte, Libya. Gaddafi was shot and later dragged on along the road. It is still unknown exactly who shot Gaddafi. There has been rumors that he was shot by his own people.

Former leader of Libya Muammar Gaddafi was killed in a crossfire. The fighting was between his loyalists and members of the National Transitional Council. He was fatally wounded and eventually died after being captured in his hometown of Sirte. Gaddafi had previously ruled Libya for 42 years before losing his power in August. His death was greatly celebrated and could bring about a new era in Libya.

Just over a week after Israel and Palestine negotiated a prisoner exchange, Israel and Egypt are negotiating a prisoner exchange as well. Israel said on Thursday that it is getting ready to trade captured Egyptian nationals for an US-Israeli dual nationality citizen suspected of spying. Ilan Grapel was captured in Cairo in June and was suspected of trying to harm Egyptian economic and political interests. Israel denied all of the charges levied against Grapel. The deal, which is reported to be for 81 Egyptian prisoners, has not been finalized but is expected to be agreed on this week.

Gaddafi was killed on Wednesday a the age of 69. The circumstances of Gaddafi’s mysterious death are still unknown. He was killed outside of Sirte, his hometown. The rebels found Muammar Al Gaddafi in a hole, but it is unclear how the rebels murdered him or what events occurred. Pictures and videos from cell phones are being showing world wide from the death of Gaddafi. The National Transitional Council has come out with a public statement saying that it has a video proving Gaddafi’s death and showing the rebels who were treated like dirt by Mummar Al Gaddafi, taking revenge on him

Early thursday morning, Muammar Gaddafi was arrested and killed after the battle of Sirte. When the battle began, NTC forces were hoping that he was within Sirte, but nobody was sure of his location. After his convoy was hit by French jets, he took refuge in a drainage pipe in an effort to hide from rebel forces. However, he and his body guards were found. His bodyguards were killed swiftly, but a far more gruesome death awaited the former Libyan dictator. He was arrested, drug through the streets by his hair, beaten, then shot. Since the bullet wound was on the back of his head, it is speculated that he was executed by the NTC forces.

Russia has signed a free trade agreement with seven former Soviet Union republics this week in meetings in St. Petersburg. The agreement will put aside import and export tariffs that presently exist between the countries. The countries that have agreed to the agreement are Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Tajikistan. It is expected that Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will join the agreement later next year. Russia’s Prime Minister and former president Vladimir Putin headed the conference in St. Petersburg.

The Kurdistan Worker’s Party (or PKK) killed 24 Turkish soldiers and with this act the Turks sends 22 battalions into the Trukey and Iraq border. Prime minister Erdoğan of Turkey asked Iraq for permission to enter their northern borders for the offensive strike aganist the PKK. Iraq allowed Trukey to enter Northern Iraq to finish off the PKK.

Gaddafi was taking refuge in a drainage ditch along with body guards, taking cover from an apparent air strike. Graphic cell phone video shows that Gaddafi dragged out of the ditch, clinging to life, and being dragged through the streets and being beaten until he finally died.

Muammar Gaddafi, the former leader of Libya, was killed Thursday outside of his hometown. National Transitional Council troops over ran the Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte. Gaddafi was injured in the attack but died later from his injuries. Video and images of him after his capture flooded the internet.

The ousted dictator of Libya is now dead. Gaddafi was found lying in drainage pipes surrounded by the dead bodies of his body guards. The National Transitional government soldiers found Gaddafi and then dragged him over to a car where he later died of his wounds. Many different versions of how he died are floating around. Some reports say his own body guards shot him in the chest on his way to the car but it is unclear thus far who fatally wounded Gaddafi.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, University students, high school students, labor unions and teachers went to the streets, marching in protest. This protest is meant to show support for the movement for education reform. On Tuesday, some protesters set fire to a city bus, along with creating burning barricades, which stopped traffic. Police used water cannons and tear gas on the protesters and more than sixty were arrested. The leaders of the protests say that they disapprove of the destruction caused by some protesters, claiming that it is not associated with their movement.

Muammar Gaddafi was killed in crossfire between loyalists and National Transitional Council forces.

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Turkey sent 10,000 elite troops to commence a major offensive operation against Kurdish rebels in Iraq. Turkey is retaliating after the Kurds attacked 42 Turkish soldiers, killing 24 and injuring 18. The raids were executed near the Turkey-Iran border Wednesday. This demonstration of power is the largest offensive operation Turkey has engaged in since 2008; when they invaded Iraq and held a week long attack on the Iraqi mountains.

On Thursday October 20, Reports broke out the Al Qathafi, former dictator of Libya, was killed in an attack led by NTC fighters and former rebels from Misurata. Qathafi was approached by the rebel group in his hometown of Sirte and allegedly ran away in a convoy of 35 cars including 5 armored cars. This retreat however was stopped by NATO aircraft as the convoy attempted to retreat to the east. This allowed the rebels to move in where Al Qathafi was struck to the head and the chest which lead to his death.

The United States is waiting to negotiate a $53 million arms deal with Bahrain due to reports of human rights abuse. U.S. senators have stated that the finalization of the arms deal with Bahrain could potentially weaken US efforts to bring democracy to the Middle East and would jeopardize US credibility. On October 30, the US State Department is expected to release a plan that explains the procedures of dealing with the civil rights of Sunni protestors in a Shia-majority state.

Secretary of State for the United States Hilary Clinton recently made a surprise visit to Libya. During her visit she pledged support by the United States to keep the citizens of Libya safe. She also advocated for stronger economic and education relations. These partnerships could be beneficial for both parties.

With only 17 nations needed to approve the bailout plan to increase the economic conditions of Europe, the European Union is finding it difficult to cooperate. One nation that seems to not want to be a player in the non-zero sum game is Slovakia. Slovakia’s governing body is concerned about taxing their citizens for thus bailout plan. Despite the country’s concerns, other countries of the union are still pushing for the binding agreement of 17 nations to approve the bailout plan.

With 26 votes in favor of the deal, a swap between Israel and Hamas has been agreed. The Agreement involves the trade of one Israeli-an soldier for 1000 Palestine prisoners. 450 has been released, the other 550 will be released in about two month. Soldier Gilad Shalit, has been held in Hamas captivity for about five years.

Yesterday, an Italian vessel, Montecristo, was seized about 600 miles off of the Somali coast. All of the members of the ship locked themselves in the strong room of the ship. Showing up to help the Italian ship were members of the United State’s Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. After these two navies showed up the Montecristo was boarded and the members on the vessel were saved and the suspected Pirates were handed over to Italian authorities.

Somali Pirates hijacked an Italian carrier that held scrap metal that was headed to Vietnam. The Pirates took 23 hostages and made their demands. The Royal Navy made sure that all of the crew members were safe. They then were able to take control of the ship and free the hostages.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has recently been in China speaking with Premier Wen Jiabao about agreeing on a price for oil. The feuding sides cannot agree on what prices Russia will set to sell oil and what price China will buy oil from them. This controversy has been occurring for a few years and is slowly getting closer to and near an end as friendly talks between the neighboring states increase.

There is a massive reservoir of oil in the far east part of the Mediterranean, and Cyprus just happens to be perched atop it. Cyprus is independent and Greek run however a large amount Turks live there in a northern Turkish section which puts tension between them and Turkey. Because of the economic opportunity that oil presents Turkey wants to have a larger say in the Turkish half of the state.

Palestine and Israel have come to agreements as to how to go about settling a prisoner exchange. Israel agreed to release over 1000 prisoners in exchange for one Israeli. The one prisoner, Gilad Shalit, has been in Palestine custody for five years. The Israelis decided to release such a high number of prisoners due to the fact that Shalit’s family has maintained a campaign for his release for some time and his eventual release would raise morale. Citizens of Hamas run Gaza celebrated the exchange. None of the high profile Palestine prisoners are being released in the deal.

On Monday October 10, the Italian vessel, Montecristo, was seized by Somalian pirates 620 miles from Somalia. The ship sailed from Liverpool, heading towards Vietnam with a cargo full of iron. There were five armed pirates that held the Montecristo, which had and 23 crew members on board. The Italian ship is owned by the D’Alesio group, stating their main concern now is the safety of the crew. The Italian foreign ministry states the crisis unit is supervising the event and is contacting the shipping company and officials.

Although the United States had earlier vowed to condemn any and all that supported Palestine’s bid for statehood to the UN, Secretary of State for the United States, Hilary Clinton, released a statement to the contrary. Clinton said on Tuesday that the United States would not cut funding to any organizations that supported the Palestinian bid. She also stressed the opinion shared by France and the United States that Palestine and Israel need to resume diplomatic talks in order for Palestine to reach its intended statehood and that the Unites States will veto the bid.

On Monday, conflict between the Columbian army and FARC Guerillas broke out. Seven soldiers in the Columbian army and eleven guerillas were killed when fighting broke out.

The Slovakian government is the holdout of the European Union member states to approve the new bailout funds and funding mechanism. The current coalition government in the Slovakian parliament has fractured on the issue. The Slovakian government will likely approve the measures eventually, as is the desire of the majority party, however, members of the coalition have opposed the measure and the opposition party has expressed a support of the spirit of the legislation.

Three women, two from Liberia the other from Yemen, all three women have made great strides and advancement for civil change in their respective countries. The three women are Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, Tawakkul Karman. Ellen Sirleaf ran against Liberian warlord Charles Taylor in 1997 and lost, but after a rebellion Taylor left office and Sirleaf won the following election by a landslide. One of the women who made this possible for her was Leymah Gbowee who advocated for women to participate in elections, to stop the long war that ravaged Liberia, and stop the rape and abuse of women in the country by soldiers. Tawakkul Karman has been dubbed “Mother of Revolution” by her followers. She has been leading protests against Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh since 2006.

Vladimir Putin of Russia traveled to China to ensure the passing of a gas bill between the two countries. The main topic on the table was energy but an underlying topic was to try and mend the foreign relation held by the two countries. China and Russia are cooperating on expansions in nuclear energy and the exploration of other means of fuel. Both countries share a common interest in helping each other and want to extend their relations in the future.

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal praised a deal with Israel to release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Gilad Schalit, an Israeli soldier. Schalit was captured in a cross-border raid by Gaza based militants in 2006. Mashaal stated that 450 prisoners would be released within a week, while the rest of the prisoners would be released in the next 2 months. The agreement includes prisoners from east Jerusalem, Israeli Arabs, and all females and minors. It was also pointed out that 2/3 of the prisoners being exchanged for Schalit were serving long prison terms.

During a visit by Russian Prime Minster Vladimir Putin to Beijing, the China sovereign-wealth fund agreed to invest one billion dollars in a Kremlin sponsored investment fund. The Russian fund was started by Prime Minster Putin and President Medvedev to increase foreign investment. China’s investment comes as the first foreign investment to the Russian fund that was started in June of this year.

Gilad Schalit was an Israeli soldier captured five years ago. He has been held by Hamas, a group who controls Gaza. Over the years there have been negotiations to let him go. Finally with Egyptian help, Hamas agrees to let him go for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli.

Two men, one who is an American citizen, have been exposed and charged with conspiracy to commit terror against the United States. Manssor Arbabsiar confessed to U.S authorities after being arrested in JFK International Airport on September 29th. The foiled terror plan was an attempt to assassinate Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States. The plot included explosives in the attempt to murder Adel al-Jubeir on U.S soil. The United States caught on when Manssor contacted a U.S DEA agent stationed in Mexico, posing as a drug cartel member. Iran has called the assassination attempt a “fabrication” by the United States.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) is currently committing forces to the task of liberating the city of Sirte, one of the last bastions for Gaddafi support in Libya. Earlier this month, forces from the NTC began an assault on the city in an effort to oust the Gaddafi forces. However, the fighting has taken its toll. While the NTC forces have taken so key areas in the city, such as the hospital, the university and the Ouagadougou conference center, sniper fire, and mortar fire continue to pound the revolutionary forces. NTC forces were hoping to capture one of Gaddafi’s sons, who was reportedly located in the hospital, but he has yet to turn up. The city of Bani Walid is also under siege from NTC forces. These two centers for Gaddafi loyalists hold significance because they are the last main strongholds left, and after their capture, the NTC is expected to declare full Libyan liberation from Gaddafi.

An agreement was signed on Tuesday that would allow for the release of 25 year-old sergeant Gilad Shalit who was captured in a cross-border raid in 2006 in exchange for one thousand Palestinian prisoners; both sides see this as a victory for themselves. The negotiations were held in Egypt on Thursday under the mediation of Egyptian security and intelligence officials.

On October 4th, 2011 a suicide bomber killed more than 75 people outside a government building located in central Mogadishu, Somalia. This attack was initiated by Al-Shabab, an Islamist militant group currently fighting against African Union forces in order to gain control of Somalia.

Max Bank almost became the tenth bank in Denmark to declare bankruptcy since the economic collapse in 2008. However, the bank was saved by a buyout deal with the state’s support. Unfortunately for those who had invested in Max Bank, their investments are no longer valuable. Sparekassen Sælland, based in Holland was able to buy out the healthy portfolios held by Max bank while the remaining insolvent portions are left for the Financial Stability Company to deal with. As of 2010, Max Bank had 23,000 shareholders and registered a net loss of 60.3 million kroner in the first six months of this year. It’s speculated that the cause of this collapse was from the bank handing out too many large loans that it couldn’t pay off.

The National Transition Council fighters have taken 70% of Sirte, hometown of Gaddafi, however 30% is still not under control and is still a threat. Yet this is the final stages of the fight against Gaddafi’s loyal followers. Gaddafi’s loyalists are using advanced weaponry, which makes it difficult for the National Transition Council (NTC) to fight back. Libya is ready to take full control of the birthplace of Gaddafi and will continue to fight against Gaddafi loyalists.

Most of the public transports had joined in to strike against the debt crisis in Greece. With growing problems with protestors and police it was only a matter of time when transportation joins in the protesting. As Greece enters in a nationwide strike increasing their dues and the State wants to cut pays and increase taxes to it off, but it seems to cause more trouble.

A protest has become the most severe case of violence since the ousting of President Mubarak in February, leaving 24 people dead. The protest was sparked by the bombing of a Coptic church in Egypt, an event blamed on Muslims. Coptic Christians, who make up approximately 10% of the Egyptian population, have been major leaders in the protest marches, though others not affiliated with the religion have joined. The march has been met by army soldiers who reportedly firing teargas and rubber bullets. There has also been word that live ammunition has been fired.

The Royal Swedish Academy named him the recipient “because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality.” Tomas Tranströmer is the first Swedish writer since Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinson, who shared the prize in 1974, to claim the Nobel. The 80-year-old is the 108th recipient of the prestigious prize, given last year to Peruvian Mario Vargas Llosa. Presented by the Nobel Foundation, the award is only given to living writers and is worth 10 million kronor. The 80-year-old Swede from Stockholm began his serious writing career in 1954 when he published “17 dikter” (17 poems). A significant amount of his work has been translated into English and other languages including “The Sorrow Gondola” and “New Collected Poems,” published in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Tranströmer suffered a stroke in 1990 which impaired his speech, but he continues to write. He has been mentioned several times in the past as a candidate for the Nobel prize and was also tipped as one of the favorites this year. Aside from his work as a writer, Tranströmer was also respected for his work as a psychologist prior to suffering his stroke, working in juvenile prisons and with drug addicts and convicts.

Students within Chile, have been protesting for the last four months, in order to increase the funds allocated to public education. The Chilean government, and some 25 student organizations have agreed to have talks to come to mutually benefitial agreements.

The temporary cease fire in Yemen’s capital city of Sana’a was broken Thursday as the Republican Guard clashed with the First Armoured Division and local tribesmen. Two tribesmen were killed in the fight, while five others were wounded. This comes after a huge protest on Wednesday when hundreds of thousands of people calling for President Saleh’s outing and trial demonstrated near Change Square. Youth groups had said on Wednesday that they were going to have a peaceful march all the way to the president’s house, but when the actual marching occurred on Thursday, the groups, which were estimated in the tens of thousands, kept confined of First Armoured Division’s areas of control. The group chanted “Peaceful. Peaceful. No to civil war.” President Saleh returned to Yemen on Friday after recovering in Saudi Arabia after a failed assassination attempt.

Nuclear plant crisis raises concern of excess radiation that would be disastrous for area’s affected. Therefore, government develops an evacuation plan for affected areas on April 22. Now, the government has relaxed the plan, and they are allowing citizens to return home on promise of restoring the power plant, as well as decontaminating the area.

The King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, allowed for a change in the law which was giving the women the right to run for a political office and then hold that political position. This stunned conservative Muslims, but when the Saudi Arabian women heard the news they turned to social media sites to discuss further issues. They want the right to drive which is currently a very important hot topic for women in Saudi Arabia. Rather than praising the King for allowing the right to run in elections, they viewed him with disappointment for ignoring the popular and more prominent issue.

Katia Zatuliveter is a Russian living in the U.K. and is accused of spying on MP Mike Hancock. She faces deportation if she is found guilty of spying. Former MI5 chief Sir Stephen Lander is on the committee hearing her case, which caused her defense to argue that there is no way that Sir Stephen can be unbiased.

Yesterday, China successfully launched a test rocket into space. Its mission is to survey Chinese farmland. Another rocket will soon be launched and they are expected to pair up. This is a great stride in the effort to achieve their goal of building a space station on the moon, which they have promised will be completed by the end of the decade. China is currently investing several billion dollars into their space program to achieve this goal. The current optimism in China is not a result of science, but it is a result of new technologies being developed.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is to meet with the President of the European Council and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to continue talks about further installments on the Greek bailouts. Greece is having trouble meeting the demands of the austerity imposed after the first bailout. Eurozone leaders have agreed that Greece does in fact need another round of money to keep the country from going into default. Many leaders fear that the diseased economy of Greece may, in fact, spread to the rest of Europe.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided superior health and nutrition to the Kobe camp in Ethiopia, thus dropping the mortality rate from 4-5 deaths per 10,000 to 2.1 deaths per 10,000.

An airport in Sirte has been taken by supporters of the National Transitional Council (NTC). Sirte is one of the few main cities still loyal to Gaddafi. The airport had fallen into the hands of the NTC before, but was regained by Gaddafi supporters a short time later. Resistance was strong, but not enough seeing as the airport fell once again to the NTC. The airport’s location is important due to the fact that it is close to the center of the city of Sirte. Gaddafi’s location is still unknown as the fighting continues and members of his family continue to flee Libya.

On Thursday, German parliament passed the expansion of the Euro fund. The bill was approved by 523 votes in favor, 85 against, and 3 abstentions. Germany’s fund lending capacity increased from 120B euros to 211B Euros, but critics fear that it may not be enough. Parliaments must continue voting on the expansion.

Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, declared his candidacy for president at a United Russia Party Congress meeting. He announced that his running mate would be the current president, Dmitry Medvedev. While some people would say that this move would set Russia up for disaster, the majority of speculators claim that this could be a sign of stability for Russia’s finances.

Fighting in Yemen as yet again escalated and is now bringing about more deaths after a brief break when President Saleh announced his return, and a ceasefire. After 3 months in Saudi Arabia receiving medical treatment for a failed assassination attempt, President Saleh returned on September 23. While the Saudi Arabia has hoped for a peaceful resolution to this conflict, President Saleh’s return seems to have given more resolve to the protestors as fighting restarted in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. The revolt started earlier in the year with the Tunisian revolt and the Egyptian revolt. The protestors have refused deals to give them the vote and remove Saleh over time. They are calling for his immediate removal and want to install their transitional government immediately.

Indonesia has stopped, or at least severely slowed down, the export of rice from Thailand. From an external perspective many countries are saying this is an attempt to bolster domestic sale of rice and to stockpile the supply. The Thai are not very happy about this, for obvious reason, and are looking into a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.

Once again South Africa has denied the Dalai Lama to visit his friend the Archbishop Tutu for his birthday 80th (Desmond Tutu’s). South Africa clarifies that they do not want to disturb relations to China. China does not like any country to allow the Dalai Lama to go to such place.

U.S ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, was attacked by Syrian mobs for attending meetings with groups against the Syrian regime. The regime is accusing Robert Ford of supporting the oppositions cause. The regime has also accused Ford of being a CIA agent looking to help take down the current Syrian regime. Ford was trapped in a office building for three hours before being escorted by security to safety. The regime attempted to storm the office building at least once, and pelted Ford with tomatoes and eggs while being escorted away.

United States Join Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen made accusations that Pakistan is funding the Haqqani, a group affiliated with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda; Pakistan denies any dealings with Haqqani.

Government and Business officials from both India and Pakistan have recently agreed to double the amount of trade in the next three years to $6 billion. This progress comes as the Pakistani Commerce Minster leads a delegation to India. As part of the new trade agreement India and Pakistan are planning to allow easier access to visas for business people, to open banks in each other’s countries, and to improve trade routes in Southwest Asia

Germany’s parliament is supporting the expansion of funds to help bailout Eurozone (EU) economies in need. The idea of expanding the funds was brought up by Chancellor Merkel.

While Palestine’s application for statehood was sent to a committee for review, Israel approved its own plan for settlement expansion. Israel is planning to construct 1,100 new illegal homes in a neighborhood in East Beit-ul-Moqaddas (Jerusalem). Many, including the United States, Egypt, Britain, and China, have condemned Israel for its plan.

Mediators from South Africa help the Zimbabwe election crisis. The Southern African Development Community or SADC, says a small regional team arrives in Harare in the next two weeks to help establish conditions for free and fair elections

For sometime now the former Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, has been on trial for exceeding her authority in negotiating a 2009 agreement over gas with Russia.Prosecutors are currently requesting that she be sentenced to seven years in jail. While the Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, is requesting that the trial refrain from being a political or personal trial.

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood movement announced it and dozens of other parties will boycott the legislative elections if no changes in parliamentary law were made. The democratic coalition which includes the Justice and Freedom Party established some conditions for the elections which abolished the candidacy system. The changes the Muslim Brotherhood is proposing would ban former members of the National Democratic Party from participating in politics for ten years.

Prime Minister Gilani spoke against the interference of the United States within Pakistan, a statement he has conveyed to the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The United States is wishing to search for traces of the Haqqani network. He warns that relations between the United States and Pakistan may be strained if the United States were to set its military into operation within the borders of Pakistan. He claims the United States is already losing the trust of the people of his country. He does not find it fit for the United States to raid a sovereign country.

French president Sarkozy is scheduled to be in Morocco to oversee the beginning of construction on the TGV high-speed train that will connect Casa Blanca with Rabat and Tangiers. This agreement was started in 2007 with Sarkozy’s first visit in 2007. The project is estimated to cost four billion dollars and be completed by 2015 with the possibility of expanding the lines to Marrakesh and Agadir. Alstom, a French power generation and transport company, is to provide Morocco with 14 high-speed trains under its 400 million euro deal. This rail project is being supported by Moroccan loans from French and various Middle Eastern banks and it is projected that the rail will increase and optimize trade within Morocco and with France, who exports 25% of its total export to Morocco.

Germany parliament passes another bill to help out the European bailout fund. The vote was passed with a major majority. This was a point of stress for Chancellor Merkel. Many people were unsure if she could get a majority of her party to vote for the increase.

The National Transitional Council (NTC) took back the airport, after pro- Qaddafi defenders had taken control two weeks ago. Sirte is the birthplace of Qaddafi. Intense fighting broke out between the NTC and Qaddafi’s defenders. After three deaths and citizens being endangered by the artillery firing, the National Transitional Council has control over the Airport and airbase. Libyan officials have asked the United Nations for aid for the citizens of Sirte who have been injured by NATO attack and the Airport rage.

The President of Yemen, Ali Abudullah Saleh, has recently returned to Yemen and is resistant to give up power. While he stayed in Saudi Arabia due to an assassination attempt, Saleh agreed to step down from presidency, but has yet to do so which is creating conflict and fighting amongst the protesters and Saleh’s security forces. Pro-Democracy protesters are trying to end the Saleh regime but Saleh is not ready to give up power. Saudi Arabian tanks and weapons were sent to Yemen to aid Saleh in the fight against the activists. Many protesters have died and are asking for intervention from the West.

A Somalian radio station ran by the Shabab, the most powerful Islamist militant group in country, held a radio contest for kids. The contest was over the reciting the Koran and Shabab history. The contest was held during Ramadan and ask questions that would be the equivalent to “What war is William T. Sherman for?” and the top two winners received... Full automatic AK-47s while third place received a few messily hand grenades.

Pope Benedict XVI is challenged to reform the Catholic Church by Germany. Many Germans are gradually losing faith in the church and its traditionalist ideals. Scandals and tension have aided in over 100,000 Germans leaving the church.

Michael Sata, of the Patriotic Front party has one the recent Presidential election in Zambia, after a couple of days of strenuous vote counting. This election has been overshadowed by the riots that have ensued which have been caused by a media ban on announcing results. Many are accusing the Movement for Multiparty Democracy of abusing government monies during this election process.

By Thursday night, Michael Sata, 74, won Zambia’s presidential elections. Sata ran against ten other candidates, but only one other candidate was considered his contender, Rupiah Banda. Although less than half of the Zambia’s population voted, Sata won electoral election by 43% of total votes.

3000 migrants are being held under Libyan authority because they are supposedly mercenaries for Quaddfi. They are currently in the town Sabha, until the National Transitional Council can vet them. The NTC wants to vet them, to find out whether or not they are mercenaries for Quaddfi.

Palestine Authority and Israeli officials have meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other Heads of States to try lobby what should become of the Palestine region in Israel. It has become quite clear that neither side will budge in negotiation talks and the Security Council will hear the case in the coming weeks. The Palestine Authority wishes to receive a non-state bid for representation in the United Nations (U.N.). Nine out of fifteen votes are to allow for membership and the United States, one of the five countries with veto power, has stated it will use it in the hearing.

Japan and Taiwan had signed an agreement to allow a greater extent of free trade. Taiwan has access to send planes to ship in products to some major airports in Japan. With Japan being Taiwan’s second largest importer (with China being the first) as well for tourism Taiwan is set to a stable economic trade. Japan will gain an easier access to China’s market. The both countries (Japan and Taiwan) even though have no diplomatic ties since the seventies still maintain trading relations.

The London-based Amnesty went through prison in Liberia and reported that the conditions were inadequate to prisoners. The Assistant Minister, Hillary Siakor-Sirleaf, said that the reports did not mention all the improvements of the prison throughout the years. Siakor-Sirleaf was also upset with the Amnesty because they came in with cameras, saying that was unethical and unfair for the prisoners; and that the report “magnified” the prison’s poor conditions.

Michael Sata won the election to become Zambia’s new president after receiving 43% of the vote. Riots broke out after results were kept from the public. The previous president, Rupiah Banda, had been in office for many years with his program known as the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). Sata is in favor of improved labor conditions, mainly in foreign firms. He had run for president four times before finally being elected this year.

In the United Kingdom Vietnamese children are being trafficked as forced laborers or prostitutes. It is difficult to track and combat. The trafficking of the children is not being addressed by Parliament.

Palestine is applying for its statehood with the United Nations though is met with many obstacles. Israel does not want to give up the Gaza strip and is fighting for the territory. Obama has already vocally rejected the statehood of Palestine which means that America will veto the bid during the vote in the Security Council. The only chance it has is to get a 2/3rds vote in general UN committee.

A French Court fined two women for wearing burqa’s that covered their faces in public. This comes after a law was passed banning the practice this last April. This is the first instance of a case being brought to court.

On September 22 2011 refuges hide away in their camps, Earlier on this week an uprising of black protesters spoke up about the over throwing of Muammar Gaddafi. The migrants see strength in numbers and hope they can escape the arbitrary detentions, arrests and beatings that many of their fellow migrants have been subjected to. Over the over throwing of Muammar Gaddafi.

India’s Supreme Court has asked The Planning Commission to revise where the poverty line currently stands. It currently stands that, according to Indian government, if a family in a rural area makes under 15 rupees (Rs) a day or if a family in an urban area makes under 20 Rs then they are considered to be living in poverty. As of now, the current numbers that The Planning Commission has put out say that it should be 32 Rs and under for urban families, and a rural family 26 Rs and under. Still, critics say these numbers are too low, considering that 25 Rs translates to 52 cents.

On September 22, more than thirty diplomats walked out during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s UN speech that criticized the killing of Osama Bin Laden and questioned the Holocaust. Israel rejected the speech before it began, and later used the speech as ammunition towards the Iranian President. This speech comes a day before the Palestinian bid for UN membership, which Iran fully supports. Countries against the Palestinian bid include Israel and The United States, both of which spoke at the UN press conference. President Ahmadinejad’s speech expressed many of his concerns, including the United States’ reasoning behind not questioning Osama Bin Laden about the September 11 attack before assassinating him. He suggested that The United States had not questioned Bin Laden’s methods of maneuvering around the US’s security, because his killing was actually a cover-up by the US for the 9/11 attack. UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech criticized Ahmadinejad’s mistreatment of the people of Iran, including their prevention of public demonstrations and denial of access to free media. Iran also spoke of its support of Palestine’s bid for UN membership.

In May, France passed a law banning women from wearing a full face veil that is customary for women of the Islamic faith. Three women have so far stepped out to protest this law while many European countries have drawn up the same type of laws.

The AKWA Ibom Reforms Forum, a socio-economic and political reform group in Nigeria, has asked upon the National Assembly to look over and review the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 blaming it for the recent activity of the Islamic military group Boko haram, a terrorist group that has been harrassing Nigeria, as well as all other military orginizations such as the protracted Niga Delta crisis. The reform group believes that the constitution is very subjective and violates the 36 Nigerian states liberties. The Federal Republic of Nigeri’s constitution calls for a Federal government with power splitted between the nation government and states. According to the reform group however, the government is run as a unitary government with almost all the power being held by the nation government which prevents the “legitimate aspirations of the people and government of the 36 states to be heard."

In Makurdi, the State Capitol of Benue, Nigeria, had an outbreak of violence after an Appeal Court ruled in favor of the PDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party). The ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) lost the hearing and its supporters were no where near ready to go home and sulk about it. To make matters even more toxic, the PDP planned a large, public celebration in order to bask in their victory. The celebration was quickly dismembered due to outraged ACN loyalists. The blood and violence which occurred had deep impacts on the victims attending the celebration. The ACN rebels inflicted property damage and physical damage to their rivals. One PDP victim said, “If I had not been quick to shield my head with my arms, I would have had my brains spilled.” The violence was ended relatively quickly, once armed Police Mobile Units arrived. Authorities are still investigating who the specific suspects were for such tremendous acts of violence inflicted on the victims attending the celebration.

Zambia has just had their presidential elections, and the results came in on Friday the 23rd. The two major canidates were the opposition leader Michael Sata and the past president Rupiah Banda. The race had been neck and neck when Sata finally pulled ahead and won. Sata or “King Cobra” has criticized Chinese labor laws in their mines.

I effort to to make Afghanistans government a more civilized, profound and economically friendly, the Us and other providing countries have been giving them money and having progarms to better their countries arm and government. As far as the success in this there was little to none. Stubbornly Afghanistan didn’t learn anything and they were unable to stabalize their economic issues, nor make a government suitable for the country. So there’s little hope for the for the country and if they don’t make any changes now their doomed for debt, and for takeover from another country. The Taliban still has forces against our army, and the army formed against them, and there seems to be no more hope for them.

In Angola, their were movements to eject the 32 year President Jose Eduardo dos Santos from office. These included a facebook page calling for Angolans to take to the streets and march, and various online remarks from Angolans. The Angolan government responded by arresting 12 people, including an Angolan rapper.

Pope Benedict XVI makes his first official visit to Germany since becoming Pope. His visit is not well received in the nation that is slowly becoming more secular and more tolerant of different views,

Relations between the United States and China are under further tension as a result of The United States sending over 5 billion dollars to help upgrade Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet. China has come right out and asked the United States to stop this assistance as it is damaging China’s plan of reunification with Taiwan, a country they see as a breakaway, and is also straining Chinese-U.S. relations. Similar events took place last year when China became distraught over an arms deal between the United States and Taiwan.

Extreme weather and drought has driven Somalian’s from their homes in search of nutrition and safety. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is currently developing a plan to restore and prevent future humanitarian disasters from occurring. However, aid is being hindered by the Somali government’s confusion with policy. It was said that no foreign aid workers would be allowed into Al-Shabab territory, but the areas that have taken the biggest hit from the famine has been controlled by Al-Shabab. 20 humanitarian agencies have urged the Somali government to “put their people before politics", but until then, families in Al-Shabab territory will continue to be deprived of the aid they need to survive.

Brutal deaths have struck Yemen as 4 young revolutionists were killed, 35 injured by bullet and tear gas last Monday between revolutionists and Pro-Regime soldiers. They were trying to keep the Yemen youth from controlling one of Yemen’s most important roads. Violence has plagued Yemen the past week as well, with Yemen youth protesting consistently and the security forces retaliating with snipers, tear gas and even killing off their own citizens. The protests stem from another demonstration that took place September 18th, which left many dead and injured.

President Gül of Turkey recently visited Germany. The reaction of the citizens of Germany toward his visit was positive. During his visit, he met with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. The meeting was well-received by German population.

In Zambia, three times presidential hopeful Michael Sata (693,787) is reported to have a 7% vote lead (43%-36%) on President Rupiah Banda (542,362), with eight other candidates splitting the remaining votes. These results come from 85 of 150 constituencies reporting on Thursday, with final results expected to be announced by the end of the day. Small disturbances were reported to have broken out and put down quickly in the southern Copper Belt province, which is Sata’s stronghold. The disturbances seem to be caused by Sata’s supporters, who fear that vote-rigging will occur. Zambia’s independent Civil Society Elections Coalition reported that the election went relatively smoothly, but that “Vigilance must continue to help ensure the credibility of the collation and announcement of results.” Zambia’s economy is improving due to increasing world copper prices, and President Banda is taking credit for the stronger economy.

The two United States hikers that were detained in an Iran for suspected espionage were finally released. The hikers were hiking in the Iraq, Iran region when the unknowing crossed in to Iran where they were apprehended and taken to prison and held there for two years on suspicion of spying.

Egypt’s temporary military government has settled on a date for the beginning of the first truly free election in Egypt since former President Mubarak took officer over thirty years ago. The elections are scheduled is to begin on 21st November and run to 3rd January with the majority of the election covering the Lower House, and Peoples Assembly, with the Upper House elections beginning 22nd January to 4 March, as quoted by Abdel Moez Ibrahim, head of the electoral commission. The final date for elections will be set and televised on Egyptian state news.

Iran released two US citizens held in jail since 2009 on charges of illegally entering Iran and suspected espionage. The two hikers were originally part of a group of three (one being a female that was released in 2010)that were hiking along the Iraq and Iran border.

NTC entered coastal cities and Gaddafi’s hometown and attacked. NTC saw it as a “co-ordinated push to take Sirte.” Many NTC and loyalist died and most had been found wounded. Now, they are trying to unite all pro-Gaddafi forces.

Palestine wants to become recognized as its own state by the United Nations General Assembly, but many diplomatic efforts are being made in order to keep them from going to the UN. Israel is against the Palestinians rushing to the UN with the proposal request and instead would like peace talks and negotiations. The Czech Republic agrees with Israel since they are supportive together in international relations and share a common background of religion and culture. Many other nations also have not the backgrounds in common, but have in common the same goal of keeping Palestine from hastily going to request recognition from the UN General Assembly. Israel, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Tony Blair would rather see Palestine negotiate through peace talks and direct cooperation between Palestine and Israel than to see Palestine’s statehood recognition bid passed.

Israeli forces continue to attack Palestinian settlements that are located on the Israeli side of the West Bank. This threatens and uneasy relationship between the two groups that has been ongoing since Israeli became a country.

News came out today that parts of the UK will now allow for gay men, who have not had sex with another man will be allowed to donate blood for the first time in the nations history. This is an issue because of worries over the transference of HIV and AIDS. Today, higher scientific studies have indicated that the blood donation would be safe. These recommendations were made to change the restrictions following a review by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SABTO) earlier this year. Over the past decade many lawsuits have come up concerning this prejudice. The UK is not the only nation to break down this barrier in the recent most after the studies have been done.

Iran’s first nuclear power plant has just recently been connected to the power grid in Iran. This isn’t a new project however. This particular power plant, the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, was started back in the 1970’s but the project was abandoned after the Islamic revolution and wasn’t resumed until Iran was able to conclude a deal with Russia in the 1990’s to finish construction. On September 12, 2011, it was operating at forty percent capacity.

Israel lost all ties with their neighboring countries. It has been a rougher than most time for Israel, they have lost all of their ambassadors out of Egypt,Jordan, and Turkey. Earlier this week Yitzhak Levanon and all the other ambassadors at the embassy were forced out of the building by a angry mob of Egyptian mobsters. Israel and Egypt have both decided to keep the peace treaty in between them two, but the tension is growing thick between the two countries. The people of the two countries are anticipating a war.

The British Prime Minister and French President traveled to Tripoli to show support of the Libyan revolution. Anti-Gaddafi fighters have been looking to take one of Gaddafi’s last strongholds- Sirte. The visit shows that certain areas are much safer than they were due to the fact that the leaders felt secure enough to go.

Egypt and Turkey are seeking an alliance to calm down Israel. The State of Israel shot down a humanitarian frigate bringing in food supplies to the blockaded Gaza strip. As well the death of six Egyptian soldiers on the Israeli-Egyptian border.

During the Brazilian Independence day supporters turned into protestors, protesting corruption within the Brazilian government. Four government ministers have resigned since President Dilma Rousseff took office in January due to allegations of corruption. President Rousseff is in support of cleaning up the corruption in the government.

Many people and groups were angered and disappointed after the release of the UN Report September 2nd concerning the legality and morality of the Flotilla Blockade in Gaza and the attack of Israeli Forces on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara. The UN’s Palmer Report was given by President Alvaro Uribe, former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer, and was then presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Some, including Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, have vocalized their concerns with, and opposition to, the Palmer-Report. On Tuesday, September 13th, five members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released a very different report, opposing statements released by the Palmer-Report, especially those concerning the legality of the blockade. Foreign Minister Davutoglu maintains that Turkey will be taking the fight to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague.

Egypt’s Prime Minister, Essam Sharaf, says the Camp David agreement can be altered since it wasn’t “sacred”. Sharaf wants to increase the number of troops in the Egyptian territory to insure greater security, along with improved equipment.

he Ukraine are suing Russia over the gas price increase. There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the lawsuit but after a lot of talking the Ukraine is holding ground.

Turkey plans to sign a continental shelf accord with Turkish Cyprus if Greek Cyprus starts offshore drilling for oil and natural gas in October. This would allow Turkey and Turkish Cyprus to assign areas in the eastern Mediterranean to launch their own oil rigs. Everything is prepared between Turkey and Turkish Cyprus to sign the delimitation agreement if Greek Cyprus begins its exploration project. Greece is not happy that Turkey is trying to threaten Greek Cyprus over the planned exploration. Greece hopes that Turkey will not increase tension in the already sensitive area. Turkey says that it is just trying to ensure the protection of rights for the Turkish Cyprus, and says that the Turkish Cyprus will not be spectators to the drilling.

France and Britain have been helping Libya out since they started their revolution. As the Libyans take over the city of Sirte, a Gaddafi stronghold, to show their support Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France travel to Tripoli.

The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, went on a tour recently of Middle Eastern and North African states affected by the Arab Spring. Erdoğan visited the Arab-League in Cairo, Egypt as well as Tunisia and Libya. Erdoğan spoke on secular democracy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Kosovo government is sending police and custom officers to take control of two custom checkpoints on its northern border with Serbia. This move is backed by both the European Union and NATO. However, there is resistance coming from the Serbs in northern Kosovo.

The European Parliament has asked President Assad to step down. The Opposition in Syria went public by naming 70 of the 140 members currently holding seats in the opposition. The E.U. along with the United States has wanted Assad to step down since mid-August. They pressured him to reform and end the violence of the peaceful protests but no steps were taking to end the violence. Turkey a once strong ally of Syria has now also called for the Syria government to carry out reforms. With international and regional pressure on Assad it is only time until changes will be made in Syria.

Libya’s new leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, replacing Gaddafi, made his first public speech on Tuesday September 13th. His speech was met with much praise from the crowd. The audience was numbered in the thousands, which was clearly noticeable when Abdul-Jalil would often have to pause due to loud applause from the crowd.

On Thursday of September 15, 2011 Al-Qaeda’s chief of operations Abu Hafs al-Shahri was killed by a U.S military drone attack in Waziristan, Pakistan. The death of Abu is looked as a major blow to Al-Qaeda who is still struggling after the death of Osama Bin Laden in May earlier this year. Last month, a similar attack ended up killing Al-Qaeda’s number two in command. The recent attacks are showing that the United States is determined to not let the terrorist group recover and regroup.

Iran announced recently that two American hikers, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, will be released on a $500,000 bail and sent home after being arrested in Iran a year ago. The two American hikers were arrested and charged in 2009 for illegally crossing the Iranian border and espionage. Originally, they were sentenced to eight years in Iranian prison. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has recently announced that both will be released on a $500,000 bail each and sent to the Swiss embassy in Tehran.

On Wednesday, 19 people were killed in an attacks against what appears to be Iraqi security forces in central and western Iraq. This was accompanied by 50 wounded and is only the latest in a series of similar acts of terrorism. The deadliest attack on Wednesday occurred when a car bomb exploded by a restaurant that was a common eatery for security force members in the town of Medhatiyah. The others were killed in a bus that was on the way to an air force base in Habbaniyah. This violence most likely is a result of the deliberation between the United States and the Iraqi government on whether or not Americas 47,000 troops still stationed in Iraq should be moved out and if so how quickly. Iraqi officials believe that although they think they can hold a sense of internal security, they don’t believe they hold the capability to secure there border.

In Libya four Italian journalists were kidnapped and held at gunpoint, while traveling to Tripoli. The journalist were approached by armed men and held captive in private homes. Libya military men did come in and take over the four journalists. The Italians were freed on Thursday and no one is releasing exact information on how the journalists were released from Libyan custody. Right after the journalist were released news was published that heads of Libya had a meeting concerning the concept of securing the release of billions of dollars in frozen Libyan assets.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Libya Thursday ,September 15th, to give their support to the interim leaders and return almost a billion dollars in Libyan assets. Furthermore the UK has made it possible for some wounded to be treated in the UK, and is sending a military team to assist the NTC on security. France will be sending some police to Tripoli to participate in a security guarantee.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan expressed the need to recognize Palestine as its own state. However, Erdoğan has also stated that the Israeli government’s opposition to recognizing Palestine is becoming a barrier to justice in the MIddle East. The Palestinians are in the process of creating a bid to present to the United Nations in the hopes of becoming a sovereign member. Erdoğan also announced the possibility of a civil war in Syria between the Sunni Muslims and Alawites. Erdoğan will continue his tour to Tunisia.

Israel’s Gaza Strip naval blockade was ruled legal by the United Nations. The UN’s inquiry about the killings of nine pro-Palestinian activists by Israeli forces after ships from Turkey attempted to enter Gaza last year, was also ruled in favor of Israel. The UN reported that, while the attack may have been “excessive”, it was not in violation of international law and was therefore a result of culpability on both the Israeli side as well as the side of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla activists. The UN Report also stressed the need for Turkey and Israel to resume diplomatic ties to work towards a stable environment in the Middle East

Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan came to Cairo to speak. In his speech he advocated for the spread of democracy throughout the Arab lands, using the work of his party as an example for the cohabitation of democracy and Islam. He brought with him approximately 200 business people, seemingly in hope of increasing trade relations in Northern Africa. He also criticized the government of Israel, to the delight of the Egyptian citizens.

Libyan Rebels fighting the remaining Gadaffi forces held up in his Bani Walid stronghold have issued a 48 hour notice to all inhabitants of Bani Walid before aggressive actions are taken.

Russia has announced that it is willing to partake in an informal meeting with NATO to discuss Russia’s political objections to the political and moral stance that NATO took during the recent Georgia conflict. Russia has also announced that the discussing will begin the talks it was having with NATO before the Georgia conflict began. NATO has also agreed to begin the talks that it was having with Russia before the Georgia conflict. Although only an informal version of the original NATA-Russia council that took place before the Georgia conflict will take place.

China and the United States pledged $20 billion in what the BBC calls “trade aid.” The news comes on the tail of a global economic slowdown. The money is meant to infuse international trade in an attempt to bolster the faltering economy worldwide. Additionally, the aid will allow developing countries to trade on credit, an allowance that has been harder to come by in light of the recession.

There has been more evidence revealed that indicates that Pakistani militants were behind the terrorist attacks in major tourism and financial districts in Mumbai. Yusuf Muzammil and Rehman Lakhvi have been named for being the masterminds of the attacks after being identified by American and Indian sources.

President Medvedev has signed a deal to build four nuclear power plants in Delhi, Indian with Prime Minister Singh. The Russian agreement is part of a series of deals, including ones on space and defense sales. Russia becomes the third country to sign a nuclear deal with India after the signing of the India-US agreement which allows India access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel.

This week in Oslo, Norway, a treaty was signed by upwards of 90 countries, including Afghanistan, to ban the use, production, transfer and/or stockpile of cluster munitions. These weapons are generally dropped from planes and explode in midair. The result is that hundreds of smaller yet lethal bombs are scattered on the ground below. These weapons often remain for years to come threatening to maim and even kill civilians. The treaty has been passed in light of the humanitarian issues this creates.

India’s new home minister has admitted that there were security lapses in last week’s military attacks on Mumbai. Palaniappan Chidambaram claims that their causes would be addressed as soon as possible. Officials say that 172 people died, including nine gunmen, in the attack on Mumbai.

The blame has been placed on the Pakistani military group: Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack lasted three days and has been identified as an act of terrorism, despite Islamabad denying any role in the attacks.

The UN conference on climate change is being held this year in Poznan, Poland. The official title is the 14th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is the fourth meeting of the signers of the Kyoto Protocol. The main goal of this conference is to have the signers to agree to cut back emissions further than initially agreed upon, especially because many states have not adhered to the protocol. They now want rich states to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25% to 40% by 2020, from the 1990 levels.

Zimbabwe has reached out for international aid in its fight against a cholera epidemic that has killed over 500 and infected over ten thousand more. The United States and Great Britain have agreed to aid the country. In return, internationally unpopular Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe agreed to hold elections in 2 years if the current political system fails.

Israeli forces have evicted some 200 settlers from a building known as the “house of peace,” in the town of Hebron. Israeli forces recently stormed the house after settlers refused an order by the Israeli Supreme Court to leave the house until the residence’s proper owner could be identified. This resistence, following days of simmering hostility between Palestinian and Settler groups, caused the Israeli army to act. Once in place they were able to remove the antagonistic settlers from the residence within thrity minutes with minimal casualties.

However, after the settlers had been removed from the house, they proceeded to set fire to Palestinian cars and property. Several Palestinians were hurt and four settlers were arrested.

The Iraqi three-member presidential council signed an important agreement on Thursday. This pact would allow American military troops to be in Iraq until December 31, 2011. American troops are currently allowed in Iraq due to a U.N. mandate, however this is due to expire at the end of 2008. The plan would also entail having American troops to start pulling out of Iraqi towns by July 2009. This plan was met by two suicide car bombs in the city of Fallujah killing at least two American soldiers. The plan still must be voted on by referendum in July by the Iraqi citizens.

Iraq has approved a troop deal making it legal for US troops to remain in Iraq through 2011. Iraq’s Presidential Council signed the agreement into law on Thursday, and it will go into effect on January 1st, 2009. There will; however, be a referendum during the middle of next year, where the Iraqi voters will have the option to invalidate the deal. The agreement comes amid decreased violence and increased cooperation between the various factions of Iraq.

Pakistani drug smugglers have claimed responsibility for the murder of sixteen Iranian police officers. In June, the officers had been manning a check point in Saravan, a small town in southern Iran, when the Pakistanis seized the officers killing three during the kidnapping. The Pakistanis, members of Jundallah (army of God), were hoping to use the police officers as part of a prisoner swap. Based in Pakistan, Jundallah is responsible for large levels of violence and drug trafficking across the Iranian border. The failure of the prisoner swap finally ended in the murder of the remaining police officers.

NATO and Russia have picked up negotiations with one another after the Council established between the two was suspended following Russia’s invasion of Georgia over the summer. Relations between the NATO nations and Russia remain unstable, particularly given NATO’s original raison d’etre: a check against aggression from Moscow.

After months of political turmoil and financial crises, Zimbabwe now has declared that there is an emergency cholera outbreak and has requested international aid. With a current inflation rate of 231 million percent, Zimbabwe has had fewer and fewer jobs on the market. In addition many workers in various professions have began protesting in order to receive live-able wages for their families.

Protesters have been beaten severely by the police to go back to their jobs. Especially doctors and nurses, who even when they return to the hospitals have inadequate equipment. Stemming from this violence from the police, many civilians have been acting as if they were the police and taking advantage of other civilians.

All of the issues that have plagued Zimbabwe in the recent past have lead to an unhealthy lifestyle and an outbreak of cholera. According to UN figures 565 people have died so far. Zimbabwe is reaching out for international aid to help bring their once prosperous country back to its feet.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe declared a state of emergency in response to the cholera epidemic that has claimed over 500 lives. Since August, a failing health system, suffering economy, and ongoing political disputes over President Mugabe have stood in the way of substantial response to the cholera crisis. The government is seeking aid from the international community. So far, and despite significant opposition to Zimbabwe’s president, Britain and the European Commission have pledged millions of dollars in aid to help the state. In addition, the International Red Cross sent additional supplies to support the fight to end the epidemic.

Dozens of nations have signed a treaty banning cluster bombs at a conference in Oslo, Norway. While the treaty has been hailed as a major breakthrough, the United States, China, and Russia have failed to sign the treaty, despite its plan to ban the abandoning of weapons blamed for maiming and killing innocent civilians. Cluster bomblets are packed by the hundreds into artillery shells, bombs or missiles that are then scattered over vast areas. Some fail to explode immediately, where the unexploded bomblets then lie dormant for years until they are disturbed, often by children attracted by their small size and bright colors. The United States, Russia, and other non-signers believe that cluster bombs have legitimate military uses such as repelling advancing troop columns. However, the treaty will not ban cluster bombs outright, but allows for the development of cluster bombs with greater precision and lower failure rates.

China and France have reached a point of strained relations. The basis of the fissure has been France’s meeting with the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is a Tibetan spiritual leader who has publicly criticizes the “moral authority” of China. China made it very clear to France that the two states’ ties included mutual benefits that could be at stake. The mutual benefits stem from trade negotiations and China-European summits.

Recent evidence has shown that the attackers who struck Mumbai, India---leaving more than 170 dead---were Pakistani terrorists. This evidence has complicated US diplomatic efforts. A day after meeting with Indian leaders, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Pakistani leaders to urge the two countries to work together to find the attackers and bring them to justice. Rice pointed out that Indian and Pakistani governments already have a significant capacity to combat the problem, and further emphasized the importance of preventing such problems. Her attempt to smooth the waters between these two neighboring rivals has not gone unnoticed.

African leaders including Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Botswana’s foreign minister, Mr. Zuma, who is likely to be South Africa’s next president, and others, have called for action and involvement with regards to President Mugabe’s continued resistance to power-sharing. As the power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe continues to falter and has been deemed “dead,” African leaders have hardened their approach to handling this volatile situation. With regards to Zimbabwe’s current vulnerable and unstable circumstances, which include a cholera outbreak, Mugabe has been considered incapable and, by some, unwilling to serve and provide safety and security to the people of Zimbabwe.

On Thursday, December 4, Vladimir Putin spent the majority of his annual question and answer session reassuring Russians that they will come out of the current economic recession. In fact, he stated that the effects of the recession would be “minimal.” He faced a series of questions, the bulk of them pertaining to the economy, and he was quick to place the blame on “American recklessness.” He also claimed that the United States “contaminated all leading economies of the world with this crisis.” However, he then turned on his offensive position to state that he is optimistic about the new Obama regime.

Putin also addressed economic differences with the Ukraine and Georgia, and he was also criticized for oil policies, namely rejection of economic diversification efforts. Russia is currently suffering due to the sharp drop in crude oil prices, as those revenues are crucial to Russia’s economy. Finally, Putin promised Russians that their pensions and unemployment benefits would not be compromised given the economic crunch.

The Turkish government is holding high level official talks between the Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardali, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Istanbul, Turkey beginning late Thursday and carrying on through Friday. The talks are centered around drug trade, counter-terrorism, security training, and joint economic development plans between the three states in an effort to bring the three states closer together. It is also designed to have Karzai and Zardali engage in dialogue with each other as the two neighboring states are currently maintaining cold relations.

The United States and China seem to agree that the most pressing common task of both states is the global financial crisis. US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan co-chaired a high-level of dialogue between the two states. China and the United States agree it is imperative the two states work together to restore market confidence as soon as possible, restrain the crisis from spreading, and avoid a global economic recession.

After relations had soured with the event of the Georgian-Russian conflict, Russia has agreed to gradually reengage in negotiations with NATO. Ministers from both parties have agreed to hold informal talks in which each will voice their concerns. While the United States had welcomed the talks, it still considers Russia’s actions in the Georgian-Russian conflict to be “unacceptable.”

Several states are meeting in Oslo to begin signing a treaty banning the use of sub-munitions cluster bombs. These weapons, in use since World War Two, have come under harsh criticism for being out-of-date and a treat to civilians, whom some experts say are 98% of the victims of these bombs. Though several key states, including the United States, Russia, and China, have not signed, the treaty may stigmatize these weapons so that international pressure will discourage their use.

On November 26, 2008, a group of terrorists launched a three-day-long attack on Mumbai. More than 170 people were killed in the attacks, which were carried out in various locations across Mumbai by ten terrorists. Fueled by already tense relations between India and Pakistan, India has claimed suspicion of Pakistani involvement in the attacks from the beginning of the investigation. The only terrorist who was captured alive, Ajmal Amin Kamal, has been identified as Pakistani.

Last week, terrorists attacked two luxury hotels and other locations in Mumbai, India. A Pakistani militant group named Lashkar-e-Taiba is currently being held responsible for the terrorist attack. Since this militant group was trained in Pakistan, India is calling for Pakistan to take “strong action” against Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki made televised address on Tuesday night defending the three-year security agreement Iraq signed with the United States. The Prime Minister reassured Iraqis that representatives from all sects had been involved in the negotiating process and that the agreement was the best option available for Iraq.

The President of China, Hu Jintao ended his three-year hiatus in Latin America this week, making an appearance in Lima, Cuba, and Costa Rica. The visit has illustrated China’s deep interest in creating commerce between the two regions. President Hu was quoted asserting, “that he expects $100bn of Chinese investment in Latin America in the following ten years.” However the Chinese government discerned that the $100bn was not intended to be in an investment but rather an estimate of bilateral trade between the two partners. This proposal depicts a significant increase in trade relations.

On Friday in Baghdad’s Firdous Square, thousands of Iraqis protested a proposed troop deal that would allow the United States to maintain military numbers for an additional three years. The US military’s UN mandate for troops expires in December, and the agreement is a means to continue the work started more than six years ago in Iraq. However, the Shia leader and cleric Moqtada al-Sadr organized the protest to denounce the “agreement of humiliation” he claimed was being controlled by the United States, the “enemy of Islam.” Firdous Square was the location made infamous when US soldiers toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein there five years ago.

The Israel Air Force (IAF) held a foreign press tour to demonstrate its power and inter-workings to the rest of the world. This press tour just happened to coincide with the recent threat by Israel to launch a strike against suspected Iranian nuclear facilities. When asked questions by the press, IAF pilots refused to elaborate on any information regarding a strike on Iran. However, the threat of a strike has risen after the Israeli Atomic Energy Commission announced Iran would have enough highly enriched uranium by 2009 to develop a nuclear weapon.

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Raul and Fidel Castro this week as part of China’s tour of Latin American states. While signing trade deals with many of these states, President Hu took special care to acknowledge the fraternity between his state and Cuba, bringing up the decades-long common bond of Communist rule.

This week Peru and China concluded their discussions on a new FTA (Free Trade Agreement). This move is symbolic to the new era of rapidly developing bilateral ties.For the past year the two nations have strengthened poltical mutual trust, continued political contact, expanded trade links and enhanced cultural exchanges, and maintained close consulation and cooperation in internal and regular affairs.

Government troops in northern Sri Lanka uncovered a 200-meter airstrip on Thursday. It is believed that the Air Tigers used it for many of their bombings across the country. Meanwhile, battles in Kulmulamunai and Mullaitivu resulted in government victories. The 59 Division has fully captured the village of Kulmulamunai, which happens to be a strategically vital victory.

10,000 people on Friday protested the Iraqi government’s plan to sign a security agreement with the United States maintaining U.S. troops for up to three years. Hezbollah, a group in Lebanon, has urged the Iraq government to reject the proposal. Under the security agreement, U.S. forces would have to leave the country altogether by 2011.

An Indian Navy frigate sank a Somali pirate ‘mothership’ which was carrying pirates and weapons in the Gulf of Aden. Supposedly, the pirate ship threatened to blow up the Indian warship. After opening fire on the Indian ship, the pirate ship was sunk. One small boat was able to flee the scene. The number of pirate deaths is undetermined. This event is a continuation of the success of the Indian Navy against the Somali pirates. Before this encounter, they stopped the pirates from hijacking two merchant ships belonging to India and Saudi Arabia.

In Baghdad, Iraq, thousands gathered in Firdos Square in order to protest the United States and Iraq security deal. The protesters hung a giant picture of President George W. Bush over the spot that once supported a statue of Saddam Hussein, and placed a hood over the picture’s head along with a whip in the picture’s hand. Protesters shouted “no, no to America; no, no to Israel!"
Many of the Iraqis protesting the security deal felt that the deal did not ensure the Americans would actually leave. Although they have a time to withdrawal, the Iraqis feel that they will not necessarily adhere to this time, and occupy the land far longer than they once said they would.

The Iraqi government has reached a very crucial decision time. In December, the UN mandate states that US troops are scheduled to leave the country. Yet, a plan has been proposed to extend the troop’s timeline. The Iraqi cabinet has passed the proposition, but it will still need approval from Parliament. Iraqi citizens has stage a protest of the proposition in Firdous Square. Parliament is set to vote next week.

Egypt and Yemen held a meeting in Egypt on Thursday with six other Arab nations to discuss the growing threat of piracy in the region. These six nations included Jordan, Sudan, Saudi-Arabia, Somalia, Djibouti, and the Arab League. This meeting was precipated party because of the growing threat of piracy and the fact that the Saudi oil tanker, Sirius Star, was recently hijacked with a shipment of a hundred million dollars worth of oil on board. Many nations are starting to send their ships around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the pirates in the Red Sea. However, Egypt does not want this because it would hurt one of their main sources of income; which are taxes from use of the Suez Canal. International response from France, Russia, India, and the United States among others is present in the form of military forces in the region. However, the Arab nations would like to show their solidarity and try to also help protect their waters.

An Egyptian court has ruled that all gas currently being pumped to Israel must cease. However, it is not known whether the ruling will be enforced or not, as many in the Egyptian Parliament insist the ruling should have been put through the Parliament first. Also, the Egyptian government has, on several occasions, ignored the court’s rulings in the past. The deal stated that Egypt would pump 1.7bn cubic metres to Israel a year for twenty years. This ruling is believed to be fueled by anger over the Israel blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Iceland is receiving $2.1 billion dollars in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to bolster their weakening economy. A victim of the global credit crisis, Iceland has seen its three largest banks, about 85% of their banking industry, collapse due to frozen transactions. As the crisis continues, the Icelandic currency, the Krona, has nearly halved and the future of the Icelandic economy looks blight as the IMF predicts a 10% contraction of the economy. The loan from the IMF hopes to stabilize the krona, reintroduce flexible interest rates, and return the overall financial system to normalcy.

Palestine President, Mahmoud Abbas, placed advertisements in several Israeli newspapers. These advertisements were published in Hebrew and promote an agreement to bring peace to the area. The advertisement laid out what Israel would have to do in order to secure Arab cooperation with the arrangement. Israel has recognized that the plan has some strong points. Others remain skeptical that this peace agreement could be effective arguing that Palestine, in particular, is unable to achieve peace internally let alone with Israel. Likewise, the response from Arab states was mixed with both critics and supporters of this political move.

The Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom held talks with the Syrian president in an effort to encourage the Middle Eastern country to help build comprehensive peace in the region. While the United States has remained critical of Syria’s seemingly apathetic attitude towards insurgent groups operating in the country, diplomatic contact between the United Kingdom and Syria has increased in recent months. The Foreign Minister hopes Syria can act as a positive link between the West and Iran.

South Africa’s cabinet has made the decision to withhold aid to Zimbabwe until a representative government is established. South Africa has taken a tougher stance on Zimbabwe stating that the political disagreement cannot justify the current humanitarian crisis. The new South African leader has rejected the “quiet diplomacy” that was being pursued for a firmer approach. With half the population of Zimbabwe projected to be in need of food aid next year and the economy in freefall, the situation looks dire. The political deadlock which is inhibiting this earmarked aid is due to the failure to form a united representative government between the Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Zimbabwe claims that this refusal of aid is not a major concern.

China and Peru concluded their talks on a free trade agreement this past Wednesday. Peru is the second Latin American country to complete such a deal with China, after Chile in 2005. China’s President, Hu Jintao, said the agreement symbolized that bilateral ties are entering a new era of rapid development. President Hu was warmly welcomed in Peru, reflecting enthusiasm for close ties between two of the world’s fastest growing economies. However, small business workers in Peru are concerned about the agreement, fearing floods of cheaper imports could put many Peruvians out of work.

While in Peru on November 20, 2008, Chinese president Hu Jintao stated his intentions to strengthen political and economic ties between China and Latin America. He noted the already increased trade between China and Latin America over the past several years, and stressed the mutual economic and political benefits of strengthened alliances. Hu Jintao also plans to visit Cuba and Costa Rica in the coming days.

Pirates off the coast of Somali continue their pattern of hijacking ships and holding the ships and their crews for ransom. This week, the pirates made their most impressive seizure, taking control of a Saudi oil tanker, Sirius Star, that measures greater than the size of a US aircraft carrier. Despite attempts at interference of foreign states and international armies, the Somali pirates continue to hold Sirius Star, as well as several other ships, hostage in an effort to collect money for new boats and weapons. The ship has been spotted off the coast of Somali, in the Gulf of Aden, where the pirates have attacked at least 90 other vessels. The Somali pirates’ stealth, experience, and strength of weaponry help deter international involvement and advance their plight.

David Miliband, the British foreign minister, and Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, held talks in Syria’s capital of Damascus regarding Syria’s influence in promoting peace in the Middle East. “It is very important to understand that Syria has a big potential role to play in stability in the Middle East,” Miliband said. Miliband has argued that Syria can be a force for stability or a force for instability in respect to the Middle East peace process. While Syria has been shunned by the United States due to its ties with Iran, European nations are initiating steps to bring Syria back into the international scene. Britain has also supported ongoing rounds of indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel, which have been brokered by Turkey.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is visiting Cuba, Peru, and Costa Rica during his international tour this month. On November 22 he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation annual conference in Lima. The Chinese government has already released statements declaring the goodwill and intentions of Jintao to sign several economic agreements with APEC and these Latin American states.

On November 18, Iraq announced that provisional elections are scheduled for January 31, 2009. The last provisional elections were held in 2005. In the upcoming elections, the volatile province of Tamim, located in northern Iraq, will be excluded from the process due to the fact that power sharing between factions is still a concern.

This is a massive step towards American and Iraqi cooperation and will follow the November 24 decision which will determine if American troops are welcome in the country for another three years. Ideally, the election will result in a wider representation of Sunnis and other religious groups, including Christians.

There has been a surge in piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia during 2008 and they are continuing today. Sirius Star, a Saudi Arabian oil tanker, was hijacked on Tuesday by Somali pirates. The captured crew on the Sirius Star includes two British citizens, two Polish citizens, one Croatian, one Saudi national and 19 Filipinos. Over 90 vessels have been attacked by the pirates this year.

One of the suspected leaders of the Basque Separatist movement, also known as the ETA, was arrested in France. He was arrested in connection to the killings of two Spanish police officers in Southern France last December. The arrest was the culmination of a joint effort between the Spanish and the French.

Iran has recently test fired a surface to surface long-range missile. The missile has been claimed to be for self defense only. Yet, it has the ability to be an offensive threat. The missile can travel as far as two thousand kilometers and still maintain accuracy. The missile is composed of a solid-fuel mixture. Therefore it is different and better than the liquid-fuel mixtures in Iran’s arsenal.

Rwanda decided to expel Germany’s envoys and has recalled its own ambassador amid a rough conflict over one a detained presidential aide. The detainee is Rose Kabyue and she has been detained in Frankfurt since Sunday in connection with a killing that allegedly was the catalyst for the 1994 genocide. Kabuye’s involvement as one of the nine senior officials connected to the shooting of former President Juvenal Habyarimana’s plane. Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Rosemary Museminali asserted that the German envoy would not be welcome in Rwanda until the arrest of protocol chief Kabuye was resolved.

Russia announced plans on buying pilotless aircrafts from Israel but a final decision has not been made. The idea of these aircrafts seems to have stemmed from the use of them in Georgia during August offensive on its breakaway Republic of South Ossetia. The unmanned reconnaissance drones performed well in Georgia. Reports said Georgia had acquired a total of 40 drones, worth around $2millions each, from Israel between 2006 and 2008.

EU and Russian leadership have begun a summit in Nice, France. The summit is structured to focus on warming relationships again between Russia and the European Union member states. Topics on the agenda include the global economy, Georgia, and the current missile shield dilemma. The hope is that friendly negotiations can resume between Russia and the EU after relations have turned cold due to the conflict in South Ossetia and the announcement by Russia of a missile system being deployed in Kaliningrad. The summit is taking place right before the Group of 20 summit which is being held in Washington, DC, following the summit in Nice.

Iranian diplomat, Hashmatullah Atharzadeh, was kidnapped Thursday morning when he was driving to the consulate in Peshawar. He was taken away by gunmen after his police guard was shot and killed. This has occurred two months after the Afghan ambassador was kidnapped by presumably the same gunmen. The police force in Peshawar suspects that the gunmen are members of Tehrik-e-Taleban Pakistan, an outlawed militant group.

On Wednesday, Iran claimed to have successfully test fired a long-range missile. The missile reportedly has a range of 1,200 miles and is more accurate than other missiles Iran currently possesses. In addition, this missile is supposedly very fast, easy to store and easy to make ready for deployment. Iran has said that the missile will only be used in self-defense but it did not say from whom it could anticipate an attack. These missile testing do come, however, about a week after Iran complained of seeing US helicopters in its airspace. Iranian Defense Minister Najar stated that the missile will be used as a deterrent and a tool for security in the area.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was in London this week to speak with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. In the midst of these talks, the British Prime Minister was told that more troops had to be sent into Afghanistan. This would be on top of the eight thousand troops that they currently have stationed there.

On Wednesday, Iran successfully tested new long-range missiles that had a range up to 1,200 miles and that were stated to have been fully developed in Iran. Iran assured that the new long-range missiles would only be used defensively and that they would only be used as in a deterrent policy for peace and security within the Middle Eastern region.

Following Israel’s shutting off fuel on Monday in response to rocket attacks by Hamas, the Israeli government has agreed to allow some fuel to be taken to the single power plant in the Gaza Strip. The UN relief agency has pleaded with the Israelis to allow more food into the Gaza Strip, but Israel has refused, stating only fuel will be allowed in. The spokesman for Unrwa called the blockade a “physical and mental punishment of the population". Israel claims Hamas is orchestrating the crisis for political gains.

The same week that the People’s Republic of Korea announced its plan/threat to close the inter-Korean border in December, the northern half of the Korean Peninsula has started to limit Chinese visitors.

This move comes as the People’s Republic of China has increased its military presence along the Chinese-North Korean border. China is apparently worried about an influx of refugees from North Korea should there be unrest if/when the people there learn of Kim Jong-il’s possibly poor health.

On Wednesday, Iran test fired its latest surface-to-surface missile with its head defense ministers present. This new missile called, the Sejil, has a range of two thousand kilometers which would make it able to hit south east Europe and more importantly Israel. The missile is also reported to use a solid-fuel mixture, which is more accurate than liquid fuel increasing the deadliness of the new weapon. Many nations, such as the United States and Israel, looked on the missile test with worrisome glances. However, Iran responded by saying that the missiles were for purely defensive purposes only. The Defense Minister of Iran commented that the missiles would be used, “Only to land on the heads of those enemies --- who want to make an aggression and invade the Islamic Republic.” This new missile system is another example of Iran’s continued desire to increase its defensive capabilities.

The United Nations announced on Thursday that their “warehouses are effectively empty” for three quarters of a million people who rely daily on UN food aid in the Gaza Strip. Israel refused to allow aid trucks through the border, over which they have control. The earliest predicted shipment is Saturday morning, a span of time that will leave many Gazans in the lurch. This news comes after recent fighting between Israelis and militants in the Gaza Strip.

Colombia and Detroit reigned supreme in the first meeting between President Bush and President elect Barack Obama. The two discussed the current worldwide economic downturn and, how to remedy the situation at home. President-elect Barack Obama urged current President George Bush to help push through congress an aide package for the multinational auto industry. In response to this question President Bush would need for Congress to push through the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia. Both leaders desire an economic policy to aide both the US and the world, yet differ on the way to accomplish this goal.

Thailand and Cambodia have concluded three days of negotiations. The talks have come amid a border dispute that had caused arms build up and violence along the shared border. The states’ leaders discussed one of the most controversial issues, the Preah Vihear, with great ease. Both states came acclaiming positive results and future peace.

This week, Russia rejected a second US proposal to collaborate on a project to install a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. The first proposal came in the beginning of 2007 and similar to the recent plan, included anti-ballistic missile components such as interceptor missiles. In the new proposal, the Bush administration has included the possibility of having Russian observers at the missile-defense locations. The US Missile Defense Agency is looking for collaboration with Russia but Russia not only fails to explain its objection, but has also clearly explained that the state is waiting to discuss the issue once Obama takes office.

A French judge issued a warrant for the arrest and trial of Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s chief of protocol, Rose Kabuye. After her arrest in Germany, Rwandans began protesting in their capital against the unfair treatment of African states in the international sphere. Kagame released a statement indicating that France had violated Rwandan sovereignty and generally lacked respect for African states.

North Korea has proclaimed that it will shut down cross-border traffic with South Korea effective December 1st because of South Korea’s increasingly confrontational behavior toward its northern neighbor. South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak, who just took office earlier this year, has taken a more assertive approach toward North Korea, and North Korea claims that Myung-bak is not following the two joint declarations signed by North Korea and South Korea in 2000 and 2007.

On November 13th the North Korean Military has threaten to partially restrict the overland passages through the Southern/Northern Korean boarders. This is due to the propaganda leaflets being flown via helium balloons, over the boarder from Southern civic groups. With tensions already high between the two nations, this would be a huge set back for the two countries.

Iran claims to have successfully launched a new long-range surface-to-surface missile. Known as the Sejil, the missile is capable of hitting targets as far away as Europe. While Iran has stated that the development of the missile is for purely defensive purposes, the United States has grown concerned with this development and has pressed for the completion missile shield in Europe.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says the effect of the global financial crisis on China is “worse than expected.” China’s economic expansion has slowed this year due to slowing export and investment growth. Although, the current international financial crisis will not affect China’s cooperation with Seychelles and their hopes to enhance inter-parliamentary exchanges together. The president of Seychellois has been briefed on policies that the Chinese government has adopted to deal with the crisis, promising that China will continue to offer its help to Seychelles according to its own capability.

An Iranian diplomat was kidnapped and his driver killed by Pakistani gunmen in the northwestern city of Peshawar. This incident happened a day after an American aid worker and his driver were shot dead while traveling through the suburbs of Peshawar. Two months ago, a similar incident occurred; unknown Pakistani gunmen kidnapped Afghan consul-general, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, after killing his driver. Farahi is still missing. In recent months violence has surged in northwest Pakistan with a wave of attacks blamed on Islamist militants. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman condemned the kidnapping as a “terrorist attack."

Many places in Asia, namely South Korea are providing health care to international patients. This healthcare is administered at a premium price and just as high of quality. Many of the hospitals in nations such as South Korea, Thailand, and The Philippines are not only providing care for patients, but are now competing on a worldwide level in different ways. They are battling to provide ambiance and resort-like qualities.

From personal experience, a hospital in Thailand rivals many five-star hotels in other countries. With fine cuisine and impeccable service, these hospitals are state of the art. One article states that South Korea is taking an Island and creating a “Health Town,” a 370-acre resort which provides health care amenities. “A visitor from China could have a medical checkup and his wife could have knee surgery while their children cavort on the beach” (1).
South Korea will host the 2008 International Medical Travel Conference from November 19-21 in Seoul. Many different countries will discuss their plans for expansion, as well as the hopeful pursuit of more successful medical tourism.

Cambodia and Thailand officials have agreed to an agenda to resolve a border dispute that erupted in deadly fighting last month. The dispute centers on a small piece of land around the ancient temple at Preah Vihear, but now includes other parts of the border. While Cambodia relies on a map drawn up a century ago by French cartographers which shows the disputed areas as its territory, Thailand argues that it never recognized this map. However, officials from both states have made it a priority to resolve the border issue and have agreed to determine the location that needs to be measured in the area around the Preah Vihear temple.

North Korea has threatened to close its south border and cutting off all communication with South Korea. Although the North has cited “confrontation activities” as the reason for this shut down, the “propaganda leaflets sent by civic groups (in South Korea) are considered to be the real reason behind the threat.” These groups are sending leaflets over the border in balloons, which claim that Kim Jong-Il’s health is failing and explain “the concept of freedom.” This leaflet campaign is considered “psychological warfare” by the North and has prompted this threat to close the border and “risks provoking military confrontation."

Even before his Inauguration as President, there are high hopes for Barack Obama and his approach on the situation in the Middle East.

On November 9, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan volunteered to help mediate talks between the United States and Iran. During his campaign, Obama claimed that he would be willing to talk to Iran diplomatically; George W. Bush was not willing to hold these talks during his time as President.

Turkey has taken a position between the United States and Iran in regards to bans on Iran’s nuclear development. Turkey claims to support the US position, but also states that this ban undermines peaceful efforts of the Middle Eastern ‘reformists.’ Turkey also has a vested interest in this issue, according to the International Herald Tribune. “Turkey fears an economically and politically isolated Iran, which supplies it with its principal alternative to Russian energy. It also wants to avoid another military conflict on its borders, which also include ones with Iraq and Georgia."

North Korea has announced that it will close the boarder between itself and South Korea beginning December 1. Tensions between the North and South have increased since South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak took office last February. North Korea vows to shut down or eliminate any boarder crossings between the two countries and threatens this could lead to a permanent severance of ties between the two states.

The United States has planned to install an anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. In response, Medvedev said Moscow would deploy the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad region. A missile system in the region, which is between NATO members, Lithuania and Poland, would neutralize the United States anti-missile system. Medvedez also threatened to electronically jam the United States anti-missile system.

A series of aggressive actions by the Sri Lankan military has badly decimated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) separatist movement. Military actions have led to the destruction of 4 LTTE naval ships as well as seizure of the strategic port of Nachikudda. The LTTE and its attempts to separate from Sri Lanka have represented a deep threat to the legitimacy of the State. The domestic actions of the LTTE have marginalized Sri Lanka as a member in regional politics. The inability to maintain power within its own borders has left Sri Lanka out of the realm of international politics.

Ma Ying-jeou the President of Taiwan met with the head of China’s Associate for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), Chen Yunlin. During the meeting (which lasted just over five minutes), Yunlin also met with Chiang Pin-kung, head of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). Although tensions still exist between the states and the meeting caused hundreds of protestors to speak out, the two states made progress in their trade relationship. The agreements reached will improve financial and economic cooperation and show the promise of prosperity for both states.

A summit meeting began on Friday between United Nations secretary general and seven African presidents. Although peace treaties have already been signed, violence still continues in the Congo’s mineral rich region, as it has for the past decade. Peacekeeping troops have not been effective in putting an end to the violence, and weak military and state institutions have been even less effective.

The United States attacked Taliban militant targets in Pakistan. The attacks occurred in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The United States has not confirmed the attack and the number of causalities is still unclear. North Waziristan, the region where the attacks occurred, is considered to be “a haven for Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters who enter Afghanistan to fight US and NATO forces.” While the United States contends that they only act on clear intelligence and that this is critical to the Global War on Terror, Pakistan claims that these and similar strikes are “counter-productive."

On Wednesday, the day after elections in the United States, Dmitri Medvedev gave a State of the Nation address. The address was meant to speak about the current economic crisis in the Russian Federation. Not only did he accomplish that, but he was also able to set a tone for the Obama administration immediately following the election. Medvedev warned the United States against its militarism through proposed missile defense systems.

Croatia is currently seeking to join the European Union. EU officials indicated that Croatia could receive membership sometime by the end of 2009. There are a few factors, however, that may slow Croatia’s bid process. For one, the cost of expanding the European Union has some members like France and Germany less than eager to expidite the process. The recent bid of Turkey may also act to delay the process. In addition, there are still some concerns among EU members concerning organized crime rates in Croatia. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader indicated that Croatia will remain diligent toward attaining this goal.

Dmitri Medvedev, the President of Russia, laid out his plans to install missiles in Kaliningrad during his first state-of-the-nation address. This installation of missiles is in response to the United States recently installing anti-missile systems in the east of Europe. Medvedev accuses the United States of using the conflict in Georgia to bring NATO to Russia’s borders.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran congratulated President-elect Barack Obama on his election win. No Iranian leader has done this since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Ahmadinejad said he hoped Obama would change US foreign policy to one of non-interventionism, especially with regards to the Middle East. He claims Americans are looking for him to restore America’s reputation in the world.

Russia plans to send short-range Iskander missiles to the Kaliningrad region in response to the United States’s plans to deploy its anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. While the United States has stated that the shield is a defense against “rogue nations,” Russia sees it as a threat. Concern over a new arms race has been expressed by states throughout the region.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated Barack Obama on his presidential election win --- the first time an Iranian leader has exchanged any such words to an elected US president since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The United States and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since 1979 and their current relations remain very tense. To Ahmadinejad, Obama is expected to redirect the foreign policies of George W. Bush to “an approach based on justice and respect, as well as lack of intervention in the affairs of others.” Despite Obama’s openness to direct diplomacy with Iranian leaders, his team has made it clear that they are not going to be soft on Iran. Nonetheless, any diplomacy is better than no diplomacy.

In the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ceasefire recently called for has been broken. The BBC reports that the rebels are responsible for the new violence, after reports their own General Laurent Nkunda himself called for the ceasefire. The rebels claim they are protecting Tutsis from Hutu militias, dissidents who fled Rwanda after the genocide in 1994. The broken ceasefire came a day after the rebels ordered a nearby town of 35,000 to evacuate. The UN spokesman said, “It’s clear they are trying to have a territory completely under their control.” The UN has a peacekeeping force called in the area that has been ordered to stop the rebel offensive, and to fire if necessary.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been negotiating for the past few days on economic, religious, and terrorist issues. Pakistan asked Saudi Arabia to provide it with a deferral of one-third of Pakistan’s oil payments. Pakistan governments believe that the deferral will be of great help to Pakistan’s struggling economy. The two states have also discussed a possible inter-faith discussion and proposals of bringing together Afghan government and Taleban leaders.
Pakistani government officials have declared the negations to have positive outcomes that will be finalized in the near future. Saudi Arabia has pledged to give financial aid to Pakistan.

In a speech given yesterday, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned the United States that if it does not renounce its plans to station missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic, Russia will install tactical weapons as well as technology to interfere with the functioning of the US missiles in Kaliningrad. Medvedev claimed that the refusal of the United States to listen to Russia’s entreaties for positive cooperation forced Russia to take these measures.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has presented a message of goodwill and offered his congratulations to Barack Obama on his presidential win in the United States. Iran has very little to say about its relationship with the United State during the Bush administration, claiming that the Bush administration successfully imposed huge cost of wars worldwide, which in effect led to critical economic situation in the United States. Mr. Ahmadinejad expresses hopes that the United States will now be able to rebuild its international reputation and begin fair policy changes.

President Ma of Taiwan met briefly with Chen Yunlin, a representative from The People’s Republic of China. Gifts and formalities were exchanged and trade agreements were dicussed. President Ma was not referred to as a “President” by Yunlin, so as to not show the recognition of Taiwan as anything but a de facto country. President Ma was also once a member of Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang party which lost to the communists in China in 1949. The Taiwanese government feels strongly that there will be no unification and no war with China, but feels the Taiwanese people should chose about their independence. China still will not allow this, and has a strong hold over Taiwan in various ways, militarily, economically, and just out of sheer numbers.

Specific issues were discussed in the very brief meeting, however it was one step towards diplomacy rather than conflict for power.

On November 6th, a Chinese envoy met with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou after trade and transportation negotiations were finalized, specifically agreements concerning food safety, and direct shipping, according to a Chinese newspaper in Beijing. The meeting took place in Taipei. It has been nearly 60 years since there has been a meeting like this, as China has repeatedly threatened Taiwan that it will successfully bring the province back into Communism. Not surprisingly, there were protestors present at the meeting, which only lasted approximately five minutes. These pro-Taiwan sovereignty protestors are against close ties with China. Both leaders hope for more similar meetings in the future.

Representatives from mainland China and Taiwan met in Taipei to further build ties across the Formosa Strait. The growing relations are to be symbolized by an exchange of flora and fauna, notably with the island receiving two Giant Pandas, the universal symbol of mainland China. In return, the PRC will accept a pair of the goat-like Formosan serow and two spotted deer.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, during his state-of-the-nation address, announced plans for the establishment of a short-range Iskander missiles system in the Baltic region of Kaliningrad, which borders Poland and Lithuania. The announcement comes in response to the NATO effort of establishing a defensive missile shield in Eastern Europe with a radar and missile base in Czech Republic and Poland respectively. Medvedev stated that the missiles would be used to “neutralize when necessary, the US missile shield". He also announced plans to use electronic jamming equipment against the NATO missile shield.