Stories about North America from February, 2009
Caribbean, USA: Stanford Charged with Fraud
Fresh on the heels of the latest regional financial meltdown comes another: news that U.S. billionaire Allen Stanford has been slapped with charges for investment fraud - more than 8 billion dollars' worth. The potential fallout for West Indies cricket appears to be concerning Caribbean bloggers as much as the economic ramifications.
Armenia: Obama and the Genocide
Onnik Krikorian in Armenia wonders whether U.S. President Barack Obama will fulfill his campaign promise to recognize the 1915 massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. While many believe that he will, the blog examines the risk in doing so of damaging efforts to normalize...
Japan: Hetalia Axis Powers and the limits of parody
Hetalia, a satirical manga set mainly during the Second World War and featuring national protagonists of that era, has attracted attention among both domestic and international audiences for its caricature of world nations. In this post, read reactions in translation from bloggers in both Japan, where the manga originated, and in Italy, the country most strongly ridiculed.
USA: Native Americans, “Yes we can”
Kept invisible for centuries, Native Americans in the United States are increasingly using blogs and online citizen media to promote and preserve their rights and traditional ways of life. With the election of President Awe Kooda Bilaxpak Kuuxshish (Barack Obama’s adopted Crow Tribe name) indigenous peoples see new reasons to be optimistic.
Global: Appointment of Saudi Arabia's First Female Deputy Minister Makes Waves
As millions of women the world over marked Valentine’s Day with gifts from their loved ones, one woman - in a country that has banned the holiday and labels it a ‘sin’ - has good reason to never forget February 14, 2009. Meet Noura Al Fayez, teacher extraordinaire, a product of the US education system, who last Saturday became the first ever woman deputy minister in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eunice del Rosario round up local and international reactions to the appointment.
Taiwan: Sovereignty on trial
A recent case heard in the US Court of Appeals is based on the claim the US is the legal occupying power of Taiwan. Michael Turton dismissed the case as “a crank lawsuit”. Taiwan Echo believes the case is important. Also on the topic of sovereignty, Talk Taiwan discusses a...
USA: Marrying for Love and Country
Whether for love or for visa, deciding whether to marry is never an easy thing. In the United States, where more than 12 million people live as "undocumented" immigrants, falling in love and getting married to an American is one way legal status can be resolved. Immigrant bloggers share their stories.
Azerbaijan: GONGOs
Blogs dealing with democracy across the globe continue to discuss last week's controversial visit to Azerbaijan by Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. Democracy Digest is the latest and says that the embarrassing event at least exposed the existence of government-organized NGOs (GONGOs) in authoritarian countries. The blog also says that...
Mexico: Cartel Violence Affecting Phoenix
The drug cartel violence in Mexico is affecting the city of Phoenix, Arizona, which is now the world city with the second most kidnappings. Latina Lista writes that the US government should move to address the situation in Mexico.
Bermuda: Economic Plan?
“It’s two weeks to go until Bermuda budget day”: Vexed Bermoothes wants to know what the plan is.
Haiti, U.S.A.: She's My Daughter
“Does our obvious bond seem fake? How could she be anyone other than my daughter?”: Designer Mama relates an unsettling incident at the Canadian border as agents question the legitimacy of her adoption of a little girl from Haiti.
Trinidad & Tobago: Transitioning
“We have created a rich and wonderful culture that is unique to Trinidad and Tobago…but sometimes I wonder if we are just waiting for the bottom to drop out”: Trin ruminates on education, crime and government policy in the wider context of international politics.
Barbados: Supporting Rihanna
Living in Barbados says that Rihanna's assault “is deeply felt here as a personal beating up on many individuals”, while Cheese-on-Bread! learns that “Rihanna is back home to recover from the trauma of the past few days.”
Russia: The Washington Post Coverage
The Ivanov Report reviews and critiques the coverage that Russia received from the Washington Post in January.
Syria: Obama ends Embargo
News from Syria announces that US President Barack Obama has lifted an embargo on Syrianair, enabling the airline to purchase parts for two of its jumbo jets, which have been grounded for years. “And it seems this is just the start of the new era between Syria and America, with...
Palestine: Obama on Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East
Here's American Palestinian KABOBfest‘s take on Helen Thomas‘ question at Barack Obama's Press conference on Monday: “Do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?”
Cuba, U.S.A.: True Colours
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense thinks that the powers that be in Cuba have shown their true colours this week by rejecting international calls for the release of political prisoners.
Azerbaijan: Plouffe's Puff Visit
Jemal Public Affairs casts doubts over comments made by Obama campaign manager David Plouffe that he had no idea about the political allegiances of the organization that hosted him on his paid visit to Azerbaijan early this week. The blog says that it is hard to believe that “one of...
Russia, U.S.: Biden's Remarks in Munich
Transatlantic Politics writes: “So Biden has made quite an impact with his “hit the reset button” with Russia remark at the Munich security conference over the week-end. But this comes as bad news for Eastern European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic or Romania – hailed as “special partners”...
Haiti: Fanmi Lavalas and the next elections
Last weekend, the Haitian blogosphere was buzzing about the exclusion of political parties from the April 2009 Senatorial elections by the Conseil Electoral Provisoire or Temporary Electoral Council - and on Friday January 6th, the CEP published a list of the candidates for the next democratic parliamentary elections in Haiti. Bloggers share their thoughts about the rejected candidates.
Azerbaijan: Plouffe visit not on Obama's Behalf
Following the recent fallout from this week's visit to Azerbaijan by Obama campaign manager David Plouffe as well as news that his $50,000 speaker's fee will be donated to civil society groups in the region, the New York Times’ The Caucus blog says that the White House denies the controversial...
