"What in the World?" - Week of November 6-12, 2016

As the battle against ISIS for Mosul in Iraq rages, Syrian militias have begun the campaign to retake THIS city, the Islamic State caliphate’s capital.

Israel rejected an invitation from THIS country to a Middle East peace conference according to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office because, “Israel's position to promote the peace process and reach an agreement will only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority."

Australia’s upper house defeated THIS measure, potentially delaying further consideration for years.

China’s National People’s Congress ruled that lawmakers must swear allegiance to THIS territory as being part of China and that candidates were disqualified if they changed the working of their oath. The Congress’ action barred to pro-independence politicians and raised concerns about Beijing’s interference.

Moscow denied involvement in an alleged attempt to assassinate THIS former Yugoslav republic’s Prime Minister as a special prosecutor there charged “Russian nationalists” were planning the murder in order to get a competitor into power.

Thousands of protestors in Morocco took to the streets for four days of demonstrations following the death of a fishmonger who was crushed in a garbage truck after policy tried to destroy his stock. The case which ignited public anger was reminiscent of public reaction to the death of a vegetable seller after police harassment, which has been credited as the act in THIS country that launched the Arab Spring in 2011.

A deal to end the partition of Cyprus may be at hand according to a United Nations official. The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since a 1974 war between these two NATO allies:

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega was leading in elections on November 6th for a fourth term with his wife, already seen as having been running the government behind the scenes, as Vice President. Ortega ruled Nicaragua in the 1980s as head of the FSLN, a government opposed by insurgents supported by Washington. What was the FSLN called?

Myanmar’s leader was in Tokyo last week seeking investment and aid while violence against a persecuted Muslim minority at home drew international criticism. This leader, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is:

THIS southeast Asian nation is seeking stronger ties with China during the visit of premier Najib Razak, who has been implicated by the US Justice Department for money-laundering. Razak’s effort follows Philippines President Duterte’s opening with Beijing and his claim to separate Manila from historic ties with the United States. Razak is Prime Minister of what country?