Looking Ahead

Veterans Day

As the United States honors its veterans on Nov. 11, many of those veterans are not doing well in the struggling economy. While Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers reveal veterans as a whole are outperforming non-veterans in the job market, veterans of the two post-9/11 wars are faring much worse. The unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans was 9.7 percent as of September.

Eclipse

The moon will align just right to create a total eclipse of the sun for residents of the sparsely populated northern area of Australia on Nov. 13 and 14. A broad swath of Pacific regions such as New Zealand and southern South America expect to be in the moon’s penumbra and will be treated to a partial eclipse.

UN follies

With three spots open for Latin American and Caribbean countries and only three nations on the ballot, Venezuela seems a shoo-in to win a seat on the UN Human Rights Council in elections on Nov. 16. Last summer, human rights advocates testified against Venezuela’s bid, noting that an authoritarian state ought not serve in such a capacity. But UN diplomats have never shied away from hypocrisy. China, Russia, and Cuba presently sit on the council.

Thanksgiving football

For the first time, three television networks will enjoy a slice of Thanksgiving football pie. The NFL’s newest television agreement with Fox, CBS, and NBC allows for each to broadcast a game to fans on Nov. 22. Detroit hosts Houston for the noon game on CBS, while Washington travels to Dallas for the 4 p.m. game on Fox. NBC’s night game will feature the Jets hosting New England.

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is regularly the busiest shopping day of the year, earning the nickname “Black Friday” for putting retailers “in the black.” Nov. 23 also marks “Buy Nothing Day,” promoted by environmental and consumer groups in what they say is a protest against the commercialization of the holidays.