Stories Sub-Saharan Africa from November, 2008

Why isn't Election Day a Holiday?

  November 4, 2008

As Americans queue up to wait for potentially hours to vote, observers from other countries are wondering why Election Day in the U.S. isn't a holiday. In many countries, voting is mandatory, and the day a holiday to ensure people are able to vote. Although some states do require that businesses give their employees time off to vote, many do not. Jillian C. York looks at reactions from Kenya and Australia.

Illegal Alien or Not, the World Reacts to Obama's Auntie Zeituni

  November 4, 2008

Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know by now that Barack Obama's paternal aunt, Zeituni Onyango, 56, who was affectionately described as "Auntie Zeituni" in his memoir, "Dreams from My Father," is a Kenyan immigrant living in Boston public housing. She is also living there illegally, which complicates issues considering she contributed $260 to her nephew's presidential campaign. Bloggers from around the world react.

America votes. American election officials sweat.

  November 4, 2008

A record number of voters in the United States will attempt to cast ballots in Tuesday's election, leading many to worry about the potential for chaos at polling stations across the country. International bloggers look at the problems and some possible solutions.

Breaking News: Twittersphere Reacts to Obama Grandmother's Passing

  November 3, 2008

In a sad turn of events, presidential hopeful Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, passed away from cancer less than 24 hours before her grandson could be elected president. Obama visited his grandmother, whose nickname was “Toot,” last week, taking a break from his schedule of heavy campaigning. Although it's too...