Stories from March, 2008
Middle East and North Africa: Client Number Nine
Eliot Spitzer's fall from grace grabbed the headlines as soon as newsmen caught wind of the scandal. Bloggers followed closely on their heel, including those from the Middle East and North Africa, whose attention was turned to the humiliation his wife must have suffered from and indignation of having her to stand by him as he announced his resignation.
Barack Obama is a liar and other campaign news from Africa
Why are some African bloggers calling Barack Obama a liar? And what do they have to say about the presidential hopeful's Race speech, campaign issues and foreign policy. John Liebhardt, who brings us other campaign news, looks into African blogs for reactions.
Lusosphera Reactions to Obama's Speech on Race
Following the international trend, Brazilian and Portuguese bloggers reacted to the controversy surrounding comments from Pastor Jeremiah Wright and presidential candidate Barack Obama's speech on race delivered last Tuesday. Paula Góes sums up the reactions of the Portuguese speaking blogosphere in this post.
Egypt: When Shaabola Sings for Obama
First it was will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas' turn. Inspired by Barack Obama's 'Yes We Can' speech, this video spread like wildfire on blogs around the world. Egypt now enters the fray, with its very own Egyptian song in support of Barack Obama.
World Moved by Obama's Speech on Race
On Tuesday, presidential candidate Barack Obama delivered a speech on race (video) in the United States, referencing how it has affected his campaign. Already, the speech is being compared to John F. Kennedy's 1960 speech on religion, a point which has not slipped past bloggers. American blogger Koulflo draws comparisons...
Iraq at 5: The World Reacts
Today, March 19, marks five years of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Initially a plan to oust Saddam Hussein and “end the war before it started,” the war in Iraq continues to this day, much to the dismay of many ordinary citizens around the globe. In that vein, Global Voices Online will...
France to Obama's Speech on Race: It's About Time
Barack Obama's speech on race touched French bloggers, writes Lova Rakotomalala, who translates blogger reactions in this post. They also wonder why Democrats abroad voted mostly for Obama and why the Republicans don't have similar primaries for American expatriates.
Iran: Obama's Change Rhetoric Similar to Iran's Politicians
Despite the fact that there have been no political relations between Iran and United States since 1980, Iranian bloggers continue to write about the US presidential elections. Akbar Chanani brings us some of the voices of bloggers writing in Farsi.
For African bloggers, the campaign has taken its toll
For African bloggers checking in on the Democratic race, long gone are the pithy remarks about Clinton and Obama and the hopeful interest in U.S. presidential politics. A certain new tone has entered into the fray: Perhaps it’s irritability or defiance. If I had to pick an adjective to tag these posts, I’d label them as “partisan.†You are either for us or against us; it’s as simple as that, writes John Liebhardt in this review of African blogs.
Japan: Obama gets support from Japanese city
Excitement is growing in a sleepy fishing town on the coast of the Japan Sea. The city of Obama, whose name means "little beach" in Japanese, is receiving unusual attention for its coincidental resemblance to the name of a certain US presidential candidate, writes Hanako Tokita, who reviews Japanese blogs for reactions.
