On October 23, 2011, for the first time in their history, Tunisians will be free to elect their representatives. The Tunisian revolution which led to the fall of President Ben Ali's regime was carried out under the slogan of Dignity, Liberty and Equality. Members who will be elected to the Constituent Assembly will have the responsibility of translating these aspirations into actions that will build a democratic Tunisia that respects liberty and basic human rights.

Just over a year after nine people were killed when Israeli marines stormed a pro-Palestinian flotilla, Greece imposed a ban on all Gaza-bound ships saying it feared for the safety of the activists who are now trying to find a way to set sail. Pro-Palestinian activists hoping to sail to Gaza this week fully expected their flotilla to be blocked by Israeli marines. Instead, to their shock, the mission was holed even before they put to sea -- by Greece.

Climate change conference starts

The UN's annual climate change summit, COP16 will run from Nov 29 - December 10, continuing to seek a follow-on agreement for the Kyoto Protocol, which will expire in 2012. Last year's COP15 meeting was in Copenhagen. The Cancun meeting is not expected to have the same high profile attendance from world leaders.

Five parties vie against the ruling National Democratic Party of President Hosni Mubarak in an election for the lower house of parliament, the Majilis Al-Sha'ab. He vowed a fair contest, but renewed the Emergency Law, which curbs opposition, at almost the same time. With the renewal, there is little chance NDP rivals, including members of the banned Moslem Brotherhood standing as independents, can mount an effective challenge.