Stories Israel
The Middle East Remembers 9/11
Today marks the seventh anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the US, a pivotal day in history and a day which brought about so much heartbreak and destruction not only in the US but around the world. Bloggers from the Middle East reflect on the disaster.
Global: Early reviews on John McCain's acceptance speech
“Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all. Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America,†that’s how John McCain basically wrapped up his acceptance speech for the Republican Nomination to run for President of the United States. So, how did he do? Bloggers and Twitterers from around the world took their first cracks at the newly minted Republican candidate as he received his time in the limelight.
Global: All Palin all the time
What has changed in the US election scene since 2000? John Liebhardt takes us on a personal journey - and points out how there is very little interest in the Republican convention today. When international bloggers talk about Republicans today - what is it that really stands out? Following are reactions from Jordan, Israel, Egypt and South Africa.
Will Hillary’s supporters ‘get over it’?
Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention being held in Colorado, Denver, may have hit a home run. For the most part, bloggers pointed out that the first woman to seriously contend for the President of the United States was wholehearted in her plea for party unity. In what could be the biggest question of Election 2008, will Clinton’s supporters heed her call and support Obama in November? Inquiring bloggers want to know.
Global: Looking inside the world of Michelle Obama
Before yesterday, here’s a list of things most of us knew about Michelle Obama. But on the first night of Democratic Convention, she spoke to a packed Pepsi Center and helped fill us in on her world and her thinking. One may ask: Why should we focus so much on a candidate’s wife? The answer to that question, in some minds, is easy.
Global: The dust settles on the Biden pick
It’s morning in America. After the initial shock, the dust seems to have settled. The United States -- and the rest of the world -- has come to terms with the fact that presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama has named Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. The Obama-Biden ticket will now face presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and his as-yet-unnamed sidekick to see who will become the next President of the United States. Bloggers of all stripes have moved passed their initial gut reactions on the freshly minted Democratic ticket and have started to formulate more solid opinions based on fact. That’s what covering politics is all about, isn’t it?
Global: What does the Obama-Biden Ticket mean?
First, there was a lot of speculation. Then the world got its answer in 3am SMS text messages this morning. Barack Obama has selected Joe Biden, the Delaware Senator, as his running mate in the race to the White House. Here's a quick review of what bloggers from around the world have to say about the selection - and how it will impact their countries' relations with the US should the pair make it to the Oval Office.
John Edwards: Scummy, fake, manipulative and pretty?
Since the former Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards admitted to having an extra-marital affair, bloggers from around the world following the story have largely focused on two major issues: First, the sad irony of a politician having an affair while his wife, Elizabeth, fights breast cancer; Secondly, the role the mainstream press played in keeping the story silent.
Who can ignore Bill Clinton?
It’s difficult to keep Bill Clinton out of the spotlight. Whether it was helping his wife, Hillary, campaign for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States or, most recently, his decision to get back to work on the Clinton Foundation, which works around the world to diminish greenhouse gasses, pushing low-cost drugs for those suffering from HIV/AIDS and battling childhood obesity. He most recently made news for a recent six-day trip to Africa took him to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia and Senegal.
MENA: Visas of Fulbright scholars revoked
Earlier this week three Palestinians, recipients of prestigious Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States, had their visas revoked by the US, preventing them from taking up the scholarships. A fourth, a high-school student on a separate programme, was also stopped. Yet two and a half months ago, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had personally intervened to make sure that the grant winners would be able to go. Why the last-minute change of heart? Bloggers from around the Middle East have a number of theories.
