Current events spanning the globe show the political developments of the times.

RUSSIA

-Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin announced in late September, 2011 that he would be running for the presidency again after formerly holding the position for eight consecutive years.

-As a result of Putin’s decision to run in the presidential election, civil unrest has erupted due to public suspicions of election fraud.

-Putin’s United Russia Party suffered great losses in the parliamentary elections in early December, 2011, barely reaching a 50 percent majority.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

-Mitt Romney is in the top spot for the Republican Presidential candidacy after the most recent primary in New Hampshire (at press time) on Jan. 10.

-Other Republican candidates (at press time) include Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry & Rick Santorum.

NORTH KOREA

-Dictator Kim Jong Il passed away on Dec. 17, 2011.

-His son,Kim Jong-un, was proclaimed his successor.

CZECH REPUBLIC

-Vaclav Havel, the former President of the Czech Republic, passed away on

Dec. 18, 2011.

-He was the first post-Communism Czechoslovakian president of the Czech Republic.

BELGIUM

-A new government was sworn in on Dec. 6, 2011.

-Elio de Rupo was elected as Prime Minister.

-He is the second openly gay leader of a country.

South Sudan

-Southern Sudan seceded from Sudan July 9, 2011.

-The secession preceded the decision to rename the country the Republic of South Sudan.

-Conflict in the area began in 1983.

-Violence continues between the two nations.