November 3: Latin America

Latin America is projected to see average growth of 4.75 percent for 2006. The International Monetary Fund credits growth in the region to strong domestic consumer demand, better inflation controls, and high oil prices. The region is also seeing widespread reductions in poverty and increased employment.

November 4 – North America: UNITED STATES

Katharine Jefferts Schori, 52, becomes the presiding bishop and primate of the U.S. Episcopal Church at an investiture service in Washington, DC. She is the first female leader to take office in the Anglican denomination. Most Anglican Churches around the world do not permit female bishops, and seven conservative U.S. dioceses have already rejected her authority.

November 7 – Middle East: ISRAEL/PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Israeli troops leave the town of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip after a six-day operation to stop militants from firing rockets into Israel. Some 50 Palestinians, including at least 16 civilians, and an Israeli soldier die in the raid. Israeli forces have made regular incursions into the Gaza Strip ever since Palestinian militants kidnapped an Israeli solider in a cross-border attack in June.

November 8 – Latin America: NICARAGUA

Nicaragua’s former leader, Daniel Ortega, wins the country’s presidential election over conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre. Regional leaders offer their congratulations, but the United States declares that it will support Nicaragua on the condition that its leaders commit to democracy. Mr. Ortega’s main priority is securing foreign investment to alleviate widespread poverty.

November 9 – Africa/International Organizations: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The International Criminal Court opens its first hearing with a case against a militia leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Judges in the court will decide if Thomas Lubanga should stand trial for recruiting child soldiers for his Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia in Ituri, a northeastern district of the country. The four-year conflict in the country resulted in approximately four million deaths.

November 9 – North America: UNITED STATES

Democrats win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in mid-term polls for the first time in 12 years. Democrats also win control of the U.S. Senate. Analysts say the gains reflect voter discontent over Iraq, government corruption, and the economy. Given the election results, the U.S. government says it is willing to discuss a new direction in Iraq.

November 9 – Former Soviet Republics: KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signs a new constitution limiting his power and giving more authority to legislators. The constitution is approved by a majority in parliament. The gesture follows a weeklong opposition protest in the capital, Bishkek, against the slow pace of reform. The government accuses opposition leaders of an “open attempt at seizing power.”

November 10 – Middle East: ISRAEL

About 4,000 people participate in a gay pride rally in a Jerusalem stadium despite religious leaders’ efforts to ban it. The march had originally planned to go through the city, but was cancelled due to threats of attack on Israel from Palestinian militants. The rally has provoked controversy due to religious Jewish views of homosexuality as an abomination.

November 13 – South Asia: PAKISTAN

In Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, a bill is passed to set up a Taliban-style department to enforce Islamic morality. The department, headed by a cleric, is able to utilize the police “to promote virtue and prevent vice,” as well as address issues such as honor killing of women and child labor. The governing party, a Taliban-sympathetic alliance, claims this bill is an important step in promoting an Islamic system.

November 13 — Europe: EUROPEAN UNION/POLAND

Poland vetoes a proposed EU-Russia partnership agreement covering energy, trade, and human rights. Poland insists that Russia lift a ban on Polish food imports and ratifies the Energy Charter Treaty. While not all EU members demand that Russia ratify the treaty, some fear that disagreement over Russia may damage the EU’s credibility.

November 13 – Europe: RUSSIA

Poland vetoes a proposed EU-Russia partnership agreement covering energy, trade, and human rights. Poland insists that Russia lift a ban on Polish food imports and ratify the Energy Charter Treaty. While not all EU members demand that Russia ratify the treaty, some fear that disagreement over Russia may damage the EU’s credibility.

November 13 – Former Soviet Republics: GEORGIA

Over 90 percent of South Ossetians vote for independence from Georgia, in a first step towards union with Russia. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity urges the international community to accept the referendum, which has further strained Georgia-Russia relations. The autonomous region’s efforts to secede from Georgia began in the early 1990s.

November 14 – East Asia: JAPAN/NORTH KOREA

Japan approves a ban on the export of luxury goods to North Korea. The ban is similar to the United Nations’ sanctions imposed in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear test in October. Other countries in the region have been more hesitant to take steps that may aggravate North Korea.

November 17 – Africa: SUDAN

Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir states that the country welcomes United Nations assistance for the African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Darfur, but rejects plans for the UN to take command. Al-Bashir’s statement follows UN chief Kofi Annan’s previous announcement that negotiations for a hybrid UN-AU force had been successful. In the past three years, more than 200,000 people have died in the region’s conflict.

November 17 – Latin America: URUGUAY

Former Uruguayan President Juan Maria Bordaberry and former Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Blanco are arrested on accusations of involvement in four political killings during military rule in the 1970s. President Tabare Vazquez has made the investigation of human rights abuses committed by the Uruguayan military a top priority.

November 21 – Former Soviet Republics/Europe: GEORGIA/RUSSIA

Georgia threatens to block Russia’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) after Russian energy giant Gazprom threatens to double gas prices in Georgia. Russia also bans wine and mineral water imports from Georgia due to quality concerns. Russia must gain approval of all member nations in order to join the WTO.

November 22: Africa

A World Health Organization report shows that more than one million babies in Africa die within one month of life, often from easily prevented infections. The report focuses on global health inequalities, which are particularly noticeable in levels of infant mortality.

November 22 – South Asia: NEPAL

Celebrations take place in Nepal after the government and the country’s Maoist rebels sign a landmark peace agreement. The accord formally ends a ten-year insurgency during which 13,000 people were killed. Rebels have agreed to have their weapons monitored by the UN in exchange for joining a transitional government.

November 22 – South Asia: BANGLADESH

After weeks of protests, the chief election commissioner of Bangladesh, MA Aziz, agrees to step aside for three months. The Awami League Party and its allies accuse Aziz of bias towards the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), resulting in a recent nationwide transport blockade to demand Aziz’s resignation. A caretaker government is currently running Bangladesh until the next elections.

November 22 – International Organizations: WHO

A World Health Organization report shows that more than one million babies in Africa die within one month of life, often from easily prevented infections. The report focuses on global health inequalities, which are particularly noticeable in levels of infant mortality.

November 23 – Latin America: COLOMBIA

President Bush signs a multi-billion dollar free trade agreement with Colombia. The deal has yet to win approval from Congress, which opposes the pact since Colombia fails to comply with international worker rights. If passed, it will be the U.S.’s largest trade deal in the Western Hemisphere since 1994’s North American Free Trade Agreement.

November 23 – North America/Latin America: UNITED STATES/COLOMBIA

President Bush signs a multi-billion dollar free trade agreement with Colombia. The deal has yet to win approval from Congress, which opposes the pact since Colombia fails to comply with international worker rights. If passed, it will be the US’s largest trade deal in the Western Hemisphere since 1994’s North American Free Trade Agreement.

November 24 — Europe: FRANCE

Rwanda breaks off diplomatic ties with France after a French judge issues arrest warrants for nine aides of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The warrants concern the killing of Rwanda’s former president, an event that set off the 1994 genocide in which over 800,000 people died. The break follows France’s declassification of files on the genocide, a move intended to refute accusations that French troops were complicit in the massacre.

November 27 – Africa: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Supreme Court confirms Joseph Kabila’s win in October’s presidential election, rejecting losing candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba’s legal challenge. Clashes have erupted between those loyal to the two candidates over past weeks. The polls are the result of a 2002 peace deal ending the five-year conflict that killed about four million people. The world’s largest peacekeeping force of 17,000 troops remains in the country to prevent further unrest.

November 30 – Africa: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

French fighter planes attack rebels in northern Central African Republic (CAR), where rebels have recently seized several towns. France previously promised logistical and intelligence support to CAR in its fight against the rebels. The United Nations says the conflict is linked to fighting in neighboring Chad and Sudan. The unrest has led to 46,000 people fleeing into Chad and another 90,000 internally displaced within CAR.

November 30 – Africa: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka signs the Civil Union Act, making it the first African country to allow same-sex marriages. One week earlier the country’s Constitutional Court ruled to allow gay people the right to inherit property of partners who die without a will. The South African constitution is the first in the world to specifically outlaw discrimination based on sexual preference.

November 27 – East Asia: MYANMAR

The Myanmar government orders the International Committee of the Red Cross to shut down its offices in the country. The government of Myanmar had refused to allow Red Cross prison visits prior to the decision. The order effectively halts the ICRC’s humanitarian operations in Myanmar, placing vulnerable populations in jeopardy.

November 27 – International Organizations: UNITED NATIONS

The Australian government is cleared on charges of participating in a scandal involving the Australian Wheat Board (AWB). The AWB allegedly paid Saddam Hussein $200 million to secure a contract under the United Nations oil-for-food program. It was Iraq’s largest supplier of humanitarian goods under the UN program, which lasted from 1996 to 2003.

November 28 – International Organizations: WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

Vietnam’s National Assembly ratifies membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) after being invited to become its 150th member, marking an end to the country’s decade-long effort to join. Terms of Vietnam’s WTO membership include more access to overseas markets and reductions in Vietnam’s high import tariffs

November 28 – East Asia: VIETNAM

Vietnam’s National Assembly ratifies membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) after being invited to become its 150th member, marking an end to the country’s decade-long effort to join. Terms of Vietnam’s WTO membership include more access to overseas markets and reductions in Vietnam’s high import tariffs.

November 28 – Latin America: VENEZUELA

Venezuelan and Iranian government officials jointly open a car plant in central Venezuela. This marks both Venezuela’s attempt to lessen dependency on U.S. imports and Iran’s step toward doing business in South America. Venezuela plans to establish more industrial projects with partners such as Iran, China and Russia.

November 28 – North America: CANADA

Canada’s parliament recognizes the people of mostly francophone Quebec as a nation within a united Canada. Amid the contested issue of the status of Quebec, the gesture seeks to reconcile with the separatist Bloc Quebecois, and further recognizes Quebec’s unique cultural heritage. However, cabinet minister Michael Chong resigns in protest, refusing to support what he calls “ethnic nationalism”.

November 29 – Europe/Former Soviet Republics: RUSSIA/MOLDOVA

Russia lifts a ban on wine and meat imports from Moldova after experts in the two countries verify the quality of agricultural products. Moldovan enterprises and wineries will benefit greatly from the ban’s removal, while Russia hopes to win Moldova’s support for joining the World Trade Organization.

November 30 – South Asia: INDIA

Indian police charge 30 people in connection to the Mumbai bombings that killed 185 people in July. The Indian authorities claim Azam Cheema, an alleged Pakastani commander in the Islamic militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba, was the mastermind behind the attacks. The two countries have recently revived talks after Pakistan denied India’s accusations of its involvement in the Mumbai bombings.

November 30 — Europe: FRANCE

French fighter planes attack rebels in northern Central African Republic (CAR), where rebels have recently seized several towns. France previously promised logistical and intelligence support to CAR in its fight against the rebels. The UN says the conflict is linked to fighting in neighboring Chad and Sudan. The unrest has led to 46,000 people fleeing into Chad and another 90,000 internally displaced within CAR.

November 30 – Middle East: TURKEY

Pope Benedict XVI visits the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, marking only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship. Many, including Turkey’s foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, and the Pope himself, hope that this visit will help eliminate misunderstandings and further mend relations between Muslims and Christians.