August 2012 :

Syria Sinks Further into Civil War (August): Kofi Annan resigns as UN special envoy to Syria, citing the Syrian government's refusal to implement his peace plan, intensifying violence by rebels, and discord within the Security Council. He says "without serious, purposeful and united international pressure, including from the powers of the region, it is impossible for me, or anyone, to compel the Syrian government in the first place, and also the opposition, to take the steps necessary to begin a political process." He also says it is imperative that President Bashar al-Assad step down.

(August 6): Prime Minister Riyad Farid Hijab and at least two other ministers defect to Jordan and announce that they would support the opposition. They are the highest-level defections to date and are clear signs that Assad's hold on power is dwindling.

(Aug. 15): The crisis in Syria spills into Lebanon when more than 20 Syrians are kidnapped in Lebanese territory.

(Aug. 16): The United Nations Security Council terminates its observer mission in Syria due to the increasing violence.

(Aug. 20): President Obama vows military action against the Syrian government if biological or chemical weapons in Syria are moved. It is the biggest threat of U.S. intervention so far.

(Aug. 23): More than 200,000 refugees have traveled from Syria to Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. The United Nations estimates there will be 185,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year.

(Aug. 26): In Daraya, a suburb of Damascus, mass burials are discovered. The Local Coordination Committees reports that at least 630 residents of Daraya have been killed in the last week. Residents say that the Syrian army closed off the city before pounding it with gunfire and pulling residents from their houses.


Egypt Launches Airstrike in Sinai Peninsula (Aug. 8): Egypt launches its first airstrike in years in the Sinai Peninsula. Attack helicopters strike at gunmen in retaliation after 16 soldiers were shot and killed on August 5 at an Egyptian Army checkpoint. The attack on the Egyptian soldiers is President Mohammed Morsi's first crisis. Morsi orders an airstrike on the Sinai, which kills about 20 militants.

(Aug. 12): Morsi reassigns several senior generals and the heads of each service branch of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), an influential force in Egypt that has effectively been in control since the fall of Hosni Mubarak and recently has been in a power struggle with the new civilian government. Defense minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, a power broker in Egypt, is among the leaders Morsi stripped of his position. Morsi also voids a constitutional declaration imposed by the military that limited the role of the president, and implements a new order that vastly expands his power and that of the legislature. The bold move sends a clear message that the civilian government has taken back control of the country.


Ecuador Grants Asylum to Julian Assange (Aug. 16): Ecuador announces that it is granting political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange has been staying at the country's Embassy in London while waiting for the decision. The decision further strains relations between Ecuador and Great Britain. Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño announces the asylum at a news conference, where he says, "The government of Ecuador, faithful to its tradition of protecting those who seek refuge in its territory or in its diplomatic missions, has decided to grant diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange." Patiño adds that Assange might face the death penalty if tried in the United States. Britain continues to reject the request for Assange to be moved from the embassy in London to Ecuador. Britain maintains its legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden where he is still wanted for questioning over accusations of sexual assault.


Punk Band Is Convicted of Hooliganism in Russia (Aug. 17): The three members of the all-female punk band Pussy Riot are convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in a penal colony for performing an anti-Putin song on the altar of Moscow's main Orthodox cathedral. At the sentencing of one of the most high-profile trials that Russia has seen in years, activists outside of the courthouse protest, chanting "Free Pussy Riot!" Police arrest dozens of protestors. Rallies supporting the three women are held in cities around the world, including London, New York and Paris. Immediately following the verdict, the United States, other governments, and human rights groups criticize the decision, calling the sentence severe. The women's lawyers say they will appeal the decision.


U.S. Military Death Toll Reaches Two Thousand in Afghanistan (Aug. 21): The United States military reaches 2,000 deaths in Afghanistan, based on The New York Times of Department of Defense records. It is an unfortunate milestone in the nearly 11-year-old war.

September 2012 :

Violence Continues in Syria (September 1): Opposition fighters seize an air base in Deir el-Zour. Along with the base, they capture 16 Syrian soldiers, weapons, and ammunition.

(Sept. 4): The United Nations reports that more than 100,000 people fled Syria in August. The surge accounts for 40 percent of the 234,000 people who have registered with the United Nations for assistance since the fighting in Syria began. The surge of refugees coincides with President Bashar al-Assad's government increase in attacks on areas in Syria where the opposition is strong.

(Sept. 5): Iran resumes sending military equipment to Syria to aid the government in its fight against the opposition. Iran is using Iraq's airspace to send the supplies. Iraq's role in the operation shows what little influence the United States has over them. The Obama administration has pressed Iraq to shut down the air corridor that Iran uses to ship the supplies to Syria.

Gunmen Storm U.S. Embassy in Libya (September 11): Armed gunmen storm the American consulate in Benghazi and shoot and kill U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other embassy officials. Stevens, a widely praised diplomat who was an advocate for the opposition in Libya, is the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979. The attack coincides with violent protests at the U.S. embassy in Cairo over the release of a YouTube film, Innocence of Muslims, produced in the U.S., that insulted the Prophet Muhammad and criticized Islam. U.S. officials say they believe that given the weapons used-antiaircraft weapons and rocket-propelled grenades-the attack had been orchestrated in advance. In response to the assault, the U.S. sends 50 marines to protect the embassy in Tripoli.

(Sept. 14): Libyan authorities arrest four people who are suspects in the U.S. embassy attack in Benghazi. U.S. officials believe the attack may have been planned in advance. President Obama vows to bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

More U.S. Embassies Attacked over YouTube film (September 13): The U.S. embassies in Egypt and Yemen are attacked in protest over a film which demonstrators feel insults Islam. At least 15 people are injured, some by gunfire, at the U.S. embassy in Sanaá, Yemen. In Cairo, demonstrators climb into the U.S. embassy compound and rip down the American Flag. At least 200 protestors gather at the U.S. embassy in Kuwait. Demonstrations are also held at U.S. missions in Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. At the U.S. consulate in Berlin, Germany an employee becomes ill after opening a mysterious envelope. Afterwards, the consulate is partially evacuated.

(Sept. 14): Attacks spread throughout the Middle East as protesters attack the German Embassy in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and climb into the U.S. Embassy compound in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. In Tripoli, one protestor is killed in a clash with security forces after demonstrators set fire to an Arby's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Protests even spread to Indonesia and Pakistan where hundreds carry banners criticizing the United States and the filmmakers.

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When Problems are so Big & Your Strength is no Longer enough to CaRRy them, Don't Give uP; Because where your Strength Ends the Grace of Almighty ALLAH Begins

October 2012 :

U.S. Begins Retaliatory Action against Embassy Attack in Libya (Oct. 2): The U.S. Special Operations Command prepares data to use in the capture of the militants suspected in the attack on its embassy last month in Libya. The suspects include members of Ansar al-Shariah, an Islamist militia group, and other militants with ties to Al-Qaeda. The suspects are wanted for the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, which resulted in the deaths of American ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other embassy officials.

(Oct. 15): During an interview with CNN, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes responsibility for the security situation in the Libyan embassy attack last month. Clinton points out that she makes the final call on diplomatic security overseas, not President Obama or Vice President Biden. Clinton's interview comes one day before Obama's second debate with Mitt Romney. Clinton vows to improve security for diplomats, but also says, "We can't not engage."

Turkey Retaliates Against Syria (Oct. 3): Turkey hits four targets within Syria in retaliation over the mortar attack in Akcakale, Turkey, which killed five civilians, including three children.

(Oct. 4): The Turkish Parliament authorizes further military action against Syria. Turkey continues to fire artillery into Syria.

(Oct. 9): The U.S. military sends a task force to Jordan to assist armed forces with Syrian refugees and to be on hand in case the Syrian conflict continues to expand.

(Oct. 10): Turkish warplanes force a Syrian passenger jet to land under suspicion that it is carrying military cargo. En route from Moscow to Damascus, the jet is forced down in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Turkish television reports that inspectors find parts of a missile on board, but authorities in Turkey decline to comment on exactly what is found. Turkish civilian airplanes begin avoiding Syrian airspace. Both countries continue to fire artillery across the border.

(Oct. 13): Syria bans Turkish flights from its airspace. Russia denies that any weapons were onboard the intercepted Syrian passenger jet. Meanwhile, the fighting in Syria continues. Human rights activists report that Syrian rebels are making progress in the Idlib district.

(Oct. 14): Officials from the U.S. and the Middle East report that most of the arms shipped from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to Syrian rebels are falling into the hands of Islamic jihadists.

Hugo Chávez Wins Third Term (Oct. 7): Hugo Chávez wins the presidential election in Venezuela. He receives 54 percent of the vote. His opponent, Henrique Capriles Radonski, receives 45 percent. Even though it is the narrowest margin of victory, Chávez still wins easily. This will be Chávez's third six-year term as president.

Taliban Gun Down 14-Year-Old Girl Who Defied Them (Oct. 9): In Pakistan, Taliban members shoot 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai in the head and neck. The shooting occurs while Yousafzai is on her way home on a school bus filled with children. Two other girls are wounded. All three girls survive, but Yousafzai is in a Peshawar hospital in critical condition. Ehsanullah Ehsan, a Taliban spokesman, confirms that Yousafzai was the target due to her outspokenness against the Taliban and her determination to get an education. Ehsan says, "She has become a symbol of Western culture in the area; she was openly propagating it. Let this be a lesson."

(Oct. 11): Yousafzai is transferred by air to an army hospital in Rawalpindi. The hospital is near the Pakistani Army Headquarters.

(Oct. 15): Yousafzai is flown to Birmingham, Great Britain for specialized treatment to her skull which was fractured when the bullet passed through her head. She will also receive long-term rehabilitation there.

One Member of Russian Punk Band Goes Free (Oct. 10): A court in Moscow frees one of the three members of Pussy Riot, the punk band convicted of hooliganism for protesting in a cathedral last February. Yekaterina Samutsevich is released after judges accepte her new lawyer's argument that she played less of a role in the cathedral protest performance that landed her in jail with her band mates. The latest ruling maintains the guilty verdict against all three women on charges of hooliganism, but the judges order Samutsevich's release on the grounds that she had less of a role in the incident. The case continues to draw international attention and condemnation of Russia.

Lebanon Is Dragged into War in Syria (Oct. 19): A bomb explodes in Beirut's Christian section. Eight people are killed and at least 80 are wounded. The explosion kills intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan, a top security official and an ally of the slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Hassan, a foe of Syria, had been a driving force behind the arrest of Michel Samaha, Lebanon's former information minister who had close ties to Syria, on charges of orchestrating attacks and assassinations of Sunnis in Lebanon.

Hurricane Sandy Wreaks Havoc (Oct. 24): Sandy, which blew into the Caribbean as a tropical storm, is upgraded to hurricane status as it hits Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. A category 2 hurricane, Sandy leaves 44 dead in the region.

(Oct. 26): Hurricane Sandy blows through the Bahamas. As it approaches Florida and the east coast of the U.S., it is downgraded to a category 1.

(Oct. 27): The storm continues to move up the east coast and spreads out. Sandy's tropical storm-like winds extend from the storm's center for a 520 mile radius. Hurricane Sandy causes greater concern because it is on path to collide with a winter storm system moving across the U.S. from the west as well as an arctic air system from Canada.

(Oct. 29): Hurricane Sandy makes landfall as a downgraded storm. Now a post-tropical cyclone, Sandy weakens as it blows through southern Pennsylvania. Still, millions of people in more than half a dozen states are affected. Many lose power and evacuations along the coast are extensive. Subways and Amtrak service are shut down in major east coast cities including Boston, New York, and Washington. Parts of the New York City subway system are flooded. Eleven storm-related deaths are reported, seven in the New York area.

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When Problems are so Big & Your Strength is no Longer enough to CaRRy them, Don't Give uP; Because where your Strength Ends the Grace of Almighty ALLAH Begins

Somebody please post a summary of major events in the month of November.
Thanks in anticipation!

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If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.(Che Guevara)

I am also of view that general shuja pasha retirement is something typical and must be allocated in predicted questions.
What about spymaster detail? his strategy ? Memo and Spymaster? and ofcourse CJP interaction with Spymaster?

Asif bhai waiting for the data of November, as test of AD is near

http://www.infoplease.com/news/2012/...world_nov.html

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No matter how fast i run or how far i go it wont escape me, pain, misery, emptiness.

Dec 14: The Supreme Court has served a contempt notice to Mutahhida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain over his recent telephonic address to his party workers in Karachi. During his address over SC ruling on delimitation of new constituencies in Karachi on December 2, Altaf Hussain called the remarks of court unconstitutional and undemocratic , adding that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to say that constituencies should be formed in such a way that a single-party majority does not exist.


Dec 14: London High Court has ordered Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to pay 35,000 pounds to Travel Agents as fuel surcharge commission within 21 days. The court also dismissed the appeal of national flag carrier, in which PIA had contended that fuel surcharge is government tax and it could not provide commission on it. The travel agents had pleaded in the London High Court that PIA was not providing them commission on fuel surcharge. The court observed that fuel surcharge is not a government tax as claimed by PIA, therefore, commission on it should be provided to the travel agents.


Dec 14: Pakistan Army Thursday Dec 13, termed as "fabricated" and "biased" a report by Amnesty International that claimed human rights of people on the Afghan border were being violated by the armed forces and the Taliban. Amnesty alleged that thousands of men and boys have been detained by the armed forces and they were held in secret places and never seen again.


Dec 14: Vidya Balan will marry UTV head Sidharth Roy Kapur today Dec 14, in a private wedding ceremony to be held at Mumbai's Sri Subramania Samaj temple. On Wednesday Dec 12, Vidya had a mehendi ceremony at her home, which was attended only by her family.


Dec 14: A former prime minister of Thailand was charged with murder in the latest twist in a political war between supporters and opponents of another ex-leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. The murder charge against Abhisit Vejjajiva stems from the violent suppression of anti-government protests in 2010 when demonstrators were seeking to have Abhisit, Thaksin's rival, call early elections, saying he was installed in office illegitimately.

Dec 14: State Bank of Pakistan announces monetary policy for next 2 months, interest rate reduced by point five percent, new interest rate fixed at 9.5 percent.

Pakistan and India Friday Dec 14 formalized the new eased visa agreement between the two neighbouring countries. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and his Indian counterpart, Sushil Kumar Shinde, at a ceremony held in New Delhi, pressed a button to launch the new visa regime. Under the new visa accord, travelers will be able to visit five cities, while children under the age of 12 and the elderly as well as big investors will be exempt from police reporting.

The Judicial Commission, formed by Supreme Court to probe Lal Masjid Operation, will begin its work from today (Friday Dec 14). One-member commission of senior judge of Federal Shariat Court, Justice Shehzad Al-Shaikh will present its findings in 45 days. Inspection team member of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Syed Muzafar Ali Shah has been nominated Secretary while Additional District and Session Judge Kamran Basharat as Additional Secretary of the commission.

OSLO: A young woman of Pakistani-origin has found a place in the Norwegian cabinet. Hadia Tajik, 29, a Muslim of Pakistani descent, was appointed as Norway’s minister of culture. Hadia has become the first ever Muslim cabinet member and youngest ever government minister in the Scandinavian country. The newly appointed Minister of Culture has already publicized her program for the upcoming months and highlighted that cultural diversity should become an undisputable part of Norway’s everyday life. In 2009 she was elected as MP for the Norwegian Labour Party that represented Oslo.

Inventor of bar code dies at 91. N. Joseph Woodland, inventor of the now ubiquitous bar code that revolutionized retail, has died at the age of 91, US media reported Friday. Woodland came up with the zebra-like pattern used to store information as he drew lines in the sand on a Miami beach 64 years ago.

Etihad Airways Named World’s Leading Airline for the Fourth Consecutive Year. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has brought home top honours at the World Travel Awards, taking the World’s Leading Airline title for the fourth year in a row. Etihad Airways also received recognition for its Diamond First Class product, named the World’s Leading First Class.

NEW YORK, Dec 14: At least 27 people, including 18 children, were killed on Friday when at least one shooter opened fire at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, the US media reported, citing unnamed officials. If confirmed, it would be one of the worst mass shootings in US history. It comes after a series of shooting rampages in the United States this year that have killed multiple victims, and was certain to revive a debate about US gun laws.

Swedish missionary shot in Lahore dies.The 71-year-old aid worker, Birgitta Almeby, who was shot in the chest in Lahore, died at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm late on Wednesday Dec 12. She was working in Lahore for the US-founded Full Gospel Assemblies, which describes itself as a "church fellowship" with congregations all over the world.

India beat Pakistan by 30 runs in a thrilling final of Blind T20 World Cup on Thursday Dec13. Batting first, India scored 258 runs for eight wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and restricted Pakistan to 228 runs for eight wickets in their 20 overs to lift the World Cup.

Pakistani singer, actor and famous artist Ali Zafar became second most attractive person of Asia. In the list of the Attractive Asian Men, Hrithik races ahead of Ali Zafar at second position, Salman Khan at third, and Shahid Kapoor at fourth.

The European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday Dec 10 for promoting peace and human rights in Europe following the devastation of World War II, and the bloc was urged to use that unity in its battle with economic crisis of the region. About 20 European government leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, attended the ceremony in the Norwegian capital Oslo.

Dec 12: The Indian Supreme Court has completely released Pakistani Biologist, Dr. Khalil Chishti after being detained for 20 years in India for a fake murder case. Dr Chishti is first virologist of Pakistan. He had gone to India in 1992 to see his ailing mother where he was implicated in a murder case.
China to open first subway train runs under river. Subway line of China to cross the Yangtze River, the country's longest waterway, is expected to start test run this month in the central city of Wuhan

Harmony Foundation, a private organisation from Indian economic capital Mumbai, had chosen Pakistani girl Malala Yousafzai for the award Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice. Sevi Ali, a Pakistani actor of British origin received the award on behalf of Malala. The National Assembly of Pakistan adopted a resolution on Monday Dec 10, to award Malala the title of Daughter of Nation. She is also being nominated officially for the next Nobel Peace Prize.On
19 November 2012, she awarded by World Peace and Prosperity Foundation for her bravery and commitment to education for girls in adverse conditions in Swat, Pakistan.

International Mountain Day was observed on 11th December worldwide.

Senator belonging to Pakistan People Party (PPP) Malik Salahuddin Dogar died in Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore on Saturday Dec 8. He was 70. Senator Dogar was suffering from liver and abdominal diseases for one year. Dogar became member of Punjab assembly thrice and remained mayor of Multan once. Malik Salahuddin was defeated by Makhdoom Javaid Hashmi from NA 149 in 2008 general elections and than elected as senator on PPP ticket in 2009.

MANILA: The death toll from the strongest Typhoon Bopha to hit the Philippines this year has topped more than 1,000 and could still rise sharply, the government said on Sunday Dec 16.

S.M. Masood, a veteran lawyer, founding member of PPP and close aide of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, died here on Friday Dec 14 at the age of 81. He was admitted to a hospital a few days back with a complaint of chest infection. He was discharged after being recovered, but had to visit the hospital again on Friday morning where he breathed his last.

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has given a go-ahead to the Balochistan government and prominent nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand to carry out the mining and smelting project in Reko Diq area. The Advocate General of Balochistan, Amanullah Kinrani, told that the ICSID tribunal, which had reserved its ruling on Nov 6, released a 45-page unanimous decision allowing the provincial government to carry out the mining activity.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will soon table a bill in the provincial assembly to fix the minimum age for marriage at 18 years, said provincial social welfare and women empowerment minister Sitara Ayaz. The statement came after speakers at a consultation voiced concern about the growing number of child marriages in the country and demanded amendment to the law for increasing the minimum age for girls to marry from 16 years to 18 years to contain the trend

Finally, Punjab government after a two-year delay has started work to lay down a new blue coloured Astroturf at the National Hockey Stadium here on Friday Dec 14. "The laying of the turf at the world's largest hockey stadium began here yesterday and continued even during intermittent rains" said an official statement issued the Sports Board Punjab.

At least six people were killed, including a state governor, died in helicopter crash in Nigeria. A navy helicopter crashed Saturday Dec 15 in the country s oil-rich southern delta, killing a state governor and five other people, in the latest air disaster to hit most populous nation of Africa. Ruling party of Nigeria said in a statement that the governor of the central Nigerian state of Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, died in the helicopter crash in Bayelsa state in the Niger Delta.

India retained Kabaddi World Cup title by beating Pakistan 59-22 in the final. India defeated Pakistan 59-22 to retain the men's title of the Kabaddi World Cup held at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Saturday Dec 15.

Taliban attack on Peshawar airport leaves 5 dead. At least five people were killed and near 40 injured after terrorists attacked the Bacha Khan International Airport here on Saturday Dec 15.

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I came, I saw and I conquered

Sorry for late reply brother. Actually I lost my mamo jan who was shot dead in Karachi by terrorists thats why I wasn't able to visit the forum.

Thanx alot Xeric for sharing link with members.

Regards

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When Problems are so Big & Your Strength is no Longer enough to CaRRy them, Don't Give uP; Because where your Strength Ends the Grace of Almighty ALLAH Begins

November 2012 Events:

New Proposal Presented to End Conflict in Syria (Nov. 1): China, one of the Syrian government's main allies, presents a new proposal to end the conflict in Syria. The plan calls on stronger international support for refugees and a truce brought about in phases. The proposal does not call for President Bashar al-Assad to step down.

(Nov. 11): Syria's opposition groups agree to form a new governing body that will unify the many rebel groups under one umbrella. The 50-person body, the Syrian National Initiative, will replace the Syrian National Council, which has come under fire for being largely ineffective and having few leaders living in Syria. The new organization will include younger leaders and will have strong representation inside the country. It will also oversee the opposition's military and will manage the distribution of weapons and funds. The group's leader, Sheikh Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, says he hopes the new body will be viewed with legitimacy and receive financial assistance and weapons from the international community.

(Nov. 12): Tanks from Israel fire on Syrian artillery units in response to mortar fire near an army post in the Israeli-held Golan Heights.

(Nov. 13): France becomes the first Western country to officially recognize the new Syrian rebel coalition.

(Nov. 14): The government in Syria calls France's recognition of the Syrian rebel coalition an "immoral" act. Meanwhile, for the third day in a row, Syrian authorities order airstrikes on the area near their border with Turkey. (Nov. 26): The Syrian rebels seize a key military base and airport near Damascus. They also take control of a hydroelectric dam on the Euphrates River.

(Nov. 29): Commercial air traffic is stopped and internet access is unavailable throughout Syria. U.S. government officials say that the Obama administration is getting closer to recognizing the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as well as considering more intervention to remove al-Assad from power.

Israel Kills Hamas Commander in Gaza Attack

(Nov. 14): In one of its biggest attacks on Gaza since the invasion four years ago, Israel launches an aerial attack and hits at least 20 targets. One of those targets is a Hamas military commander, Ahmed al-Jabari. He is killed while traveling through Gaze in a car. The airstrikes are in response to recent, repeated rocket attacks by Palestinian militants located in Gaza.

(Nov. 15): Israel continues a second day of airstrikes on Gaza and the Palestinian death toll rises to 11. Meanwhile, Hamas fires rockets into southern Israel, killing three civilians. The Israeli deaths will likely lead to Israel increasing its military offensive in Gaza. In a nationally televised address, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi says that his country will stand by the Palestinians, "The Egyptian people, the Egyptian leadership, the Egyptian government, and all of Egypt is standing with all its resources to stop this assault, to prevent the killing and the bloodshed of Palestinians."

(Nov. 18): Israel continues to target members of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, and Hamas launches several hundred rockets, with some hitting Tel Aviv. Egypt, while a staunch supporter of Hamas, attempts to broker a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel to prevent the conflict from further destabilizing the region.

(Nov. 21): Egypt's foreign minister, Mohamed Kamel Amr, and U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton announce that a cease-fire has been signed. Both sides agree to end hostilities toward each other and Israel says it will open Gaza border crossings, allowing the flow of products and people into Gaza, potentially lifting the 5-year blockade that has caused much hardship to those living in the region.

Morsi Declares Authority over Courts (Nov. 22): Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi announces a brazen power grab when he declares authority over the courts, thereby removing any check on his actions by the courts. He says the move is necessary because the judiciary, made up of Hosni Mubarak appointees, is threatening to suspend the constitutional assembly before it completes the task of drafting a new constitution. Progress on writing a new constitution has been stalled by members of the opposition on the committee. Morsi also says the edict would bring "political, social and economic stability" and remove barriers to a smooth transition of power. The decree is met with large protests in Tahrir Square, the scene of the uprising against Mubarak, and international condemnation. It also fuels accusations that one autocrat has succeeded another.

(Nov. 26): Morsi seems to be backtracking in response to the outpouring of rage, saying only "acts of sovereignty" will be exempt from judicial oversight. The clarification does little to placate his opponents.

(Nov. 29): Under threat of being suspended by the courts, the constitutional assembly hastily approves a draft document, which is widely criticized for its ambiguity and lack of depth and originality. The draft constitution passes because Morsi's opponents on the committee from secular groups and Coptic Christians boycott the vote. Morsi says he will hold a referendum on the constitution as soon as possible.

UN Approves Non-Member State Status for Palestine (Nov. 29): The United Nations General Assembly approves an upgrade from the Palestinian Authority's current observer status to that of a non-member state. The vote comes after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to the General Assembly and asks for a "birth certificate" for his country. Of the 193 nations in the General Assembly, 138 vote in favor of the upgrade in status. While the vote is a victory for Palestine, it is a diplomatic setback for the U.S. and Israel. Having the title of "non-member observer state" will allow Palestine access to international organizations such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). If they join the ICC, Palestine can file complaints of war crimes against Israel. In response to the UN vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that Israel will not transfer about $100 million in much-needed tax revenue owed to the struggling Palestinian Authority and will resume plans to build 3,000-unit settlement in an area that divides the north and the south parts of the West Bank, thereby denying the Palestinians any chance for having a contiguous state.

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When Problems are so Big & Your Strength is no Longer enough to CaRRy them, Don't Give uP; Because where your Strength Ends the Grace of Almighty ALLAH Begins