September 1 — Europe: BELGIUM

The mayor of the town of Merchtem in Belgium is criticized for a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. The ban restricts any use of French on school grounds. This ban includes any French spoken between parents and children and during parents’ meetings. However, interpreters will be made available if necessary. The ban is meant to preserve the Dutch language in an area where Flemish communities fund the schools.

September 1 – Latin America: GUYANA

Guyana’s president, Bharrat Jagdeo, wins another five-year term in office after his party recieved 54.6% of the vote. Sixty-five percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, and the resulting vote was generally divided along ethnic lines. The campaigns centered on crime, drug trafficking, and the economy.

September 5 – Latin America: MEXICO

Mexico’s Federal Electoral Tribunal rules that Felipe Calderón rightfully won the July presidential elections and declare him president-elect. Calderón will take office on December 1, 2006, for a single six-year term. The outcome of the July 2nd elections had been in limbo due to weeks of protests and complaints by the losing candidate, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

September 6 – East Asia: JAPAN

A baby boy is born into the Japanese royal family, calming worries of a succession crisis. His birth eases debates over constitutional reforms that would allow women to take the throne. Only males may succeed the throne in Japan, and a male had not been born into the imperial family for over 40 years.

September 7 – Middle East/North America: IRAQ/UNITED STATES

The United States begins to transfer control of Iraq’s military to Iraqi authorities. The handover includes control of the Iraqi navy and air force and the 8th division of the army. More transfers are likely in the near future and are expected to follow the timetable set by Iraq’s leaders.

September 7 – North America/Middle East: UNITED STATES/IRAQ

The United States begins to transfer control of Iraq’s military to Iraqi authorities. The handover includes control of the Iraqi navy and air force and the 8th division of the army. More transfers are likely in the near future and are expected to follow the timetable set by Iraq’s leaders.

September 7 – North America: UNITED STATES

In a televised speech, US President George Bush confirms the existence of secret CIA prisons, a program that has been controversial. President Bush notes that terror suspects had not and would not be tortured. The Pentagon issues new guidelines on the treatment of terror suspects, representing a significant change in policy. The Pentagon previously argued that the detainees were unlawful combatants and did not qualify for protection under the Geneva Convention.

September 12 — Europe: MONTENEGRO

Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic wins the country’s first general election since independence from Serbia in May. Mr. Djukanovic leads the pro-Western coalition that won the majority of the seats in the new country’s parliament. His administration vows to seek rapid integration into the European Union and tackle the problems of organized crime.

September 12 – North America/Middle East: UNITED STATES/SYRIA

US-Syrian relations receive a small boost when the US thanks Syria for its defense of the US embassy in Damascus during a recent attack. Syrian security forces were able to halt an attempted bombing of the embassy, killing three of the attackers and capturing a fourth. Relations between the two countries are tense, and the two governments have very little contact. The United States also considers Syria a state sponsor of terrorism.

September 13 – South Asia/Latin America: INDIA/BRAZIL

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Brazil, where he and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sign multi-million dollar trade deals. The trade deals, which involve technology and alternative energy sources of development, are intended to increase ties between the two major emerging economies.

September 14 – Middle East: LEBANON

Amnesty International (AI) releases a report accusing Hezbollah of committing war crimes during Lebanese conflict with Israel. The report claims that Hezbollah targeted civilians with rockets and that the acts constitute a “serious violation of humanitarian law.” AI has already accused Israel of war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon. Hezbollah rejects the report, saying it results from US and Israeli pressure.

September 14 – International Organizations: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Amnesty International (AI) releases a report accusing Hezbollah of committing war crimes during the Lebanese conflict with Israel. The report claims that Hezbollah targeted civilians with rockets and that the acts constitute a “serious violation of humanitarian law.” AI has already accused Israel of war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon. Hezbollah rejects the report, saying it results from US and Israeli pressure.

September 17 – Latin America: VENEZUELA/IRAN

Iran and Venezuela sign several bilateral agreements in an effort to boost ties between the two nations. The two countries establish a relationship based on “common thinking and common interests.” The partnership represents a growing group of nations with anti-US sentiments.

September 18 – South Asia: SRI LANKA

Tensions increase in Sri Lanka after the bodies of 11 murdered Muslim men are found in the town of Ampara. The government and the Tamil Tiger rebels exchange blame, while many citizens of the town blame the Special Task Force (STF) of the local police for the killings. The STF denies the killings. Muslims have been caught up in recent violence between the Tamils and the mainly Sinhalese government, despite the two sides having agreed to a ceasefire in 2002.

September 19 – East Asia: THAILAND

The Thai military overthrows the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while Thaksin is at a UN meeting in New York. Thaksin declares a state of emergency and says the government remains in control. The armed forces, however, declare martial law and order all troops to return to their bases. The coup is the result of pressure for Thaksin’s resignation, which groups close to King Bhumibol support.

September 19 – Africa: ZIMBABWE

Economic disasters continue to hit Zimbabwe as inflation climbs to 1,200 percent, the highest rate in the world. Rising prices in the area lead to arrests of three top food-makers who are accused of over-charging for their products. The food-makers claim the government-controlled prices of bread and other foods are not enough to cover costs of production. Inflation and other economic issues cause unrest and concern in the country.

September 20 – Africa: RWANDA

Former Education Minister Andrew Rwamakuba is acquitted on charges of distributing machetes and participating in Rwanda’s 100-day massacre in 1994. Judges order his immediate release based on insufficient evidence that he ordered the massacres of Tutsis in the Gikomero township. During the massacre, approximately 800,000 people were killed.

September 21 — Europe: HUNGARY

Hungary’s main opposition party rejects talks with the government in the wake of anti-government protests and rioting. The demonstrations are the result of a leaked tape in which Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany admits that he lied about the state of the economy. Hungary’s economy is falling into crisis as the country’s currency declines in value and its international credit rating is suffering.

September 21 – Middle East: JORDAN

Sajida al-Rishawi is sentenced to death by hanging for her role in the bombing attacks on hotels in Amman last year. She confessed to the crime, claiming that the explosives on her belt had not detonated. Rishawi later recanted the confession, claiming it had been given under duress. The bombings are thought to be motivated by strong hatred for the US-Jordanian relationship and the military operations in Iraq.

September 23 – Africa: GAMBIA

President Yahya Jammeh is elected for a third term with 67.3% of the vote in Gambia’s most recent elections. Since Jammeh came to power in a coup 12 years ago, the country has remained relatively stable. Despite the stability and a program of development, Jemmah does face increasing criticism for arresting opposition activists.

September 23 – Middle East: YEMEN

President Ali Abdullah Saleh wins reelection in Yemen with 77 percent of the vote. Despite accusations of electoral fraud from the opposition, international monitors said the vote generally met international standards. It is the country’s second presidential election since North and South Yemen united in 1990.

September 25 — Europe: VATICAN CITY

Pope Benedict XVI meets with envoys from Muslim nations after his controversial remarks regarding Islam and the Prophet Mohammed led to anger throughout the Muslim world. The Pope calls for interfaith dialogue, a rejection of violence, and a respect for religious liberty. Pope Benedict faced a storm of criticism and anger when, in a speech, he referenced a 14th century quote that labeled Mohammed’s contributions to religion as “evil and inhuman,” and equated Islam and violence.

September 26 – East Asia: JAPAN

Shinzo Abe is elected as Japan’s new prime minister. At 52 years old, he is the youngest prime minister since World War II. His platform is based on cutting government spending, improving ties with China, and implementing economic reforms. Abe also advocates a revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution and a more assertive foreign policy.

September 26 – Latin America: GUATEMALA

Guatemala security forces reclaim a prison that has been under prisoner control for 10 years. Seven inmates are killed and one policeman is wounded during the raid, but the operation is declared a success. The project started as a farm prison for prisoners to grow their own food, but over the years prisoners made a lucrative business out of selling the land, running shops, and building cocaine laboratories on the grounds.

September 27 – North America: UNITED STATES

California becomes the first state to set targets to reduce its level of greenhouse gas emissions, hoping to achieve reduction of 25% by 2020. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says the bill is necessary to begin a “bold new era of environmental protection.” The move puts Governor Schwarzenegger in conflict with the Bush administration’s position that mandatory reductions are harmful to the economy.

September 29 – North America: CANADA

The head of Canada’s national police force apologizes for falsely labeling a Syrian-born Canadian man as a terrorist. U.S. customs agents deported Maher Arar after the Canadian police listed him as an Islamic extremist. A public inquiry into his deportation revealed that the police spread misleading and false information about Arar. He spent a year imprisoned in Syria, and underwent torture during his incarceration.