· February, 2009

Stories about North America from February, 2009

Azerbaijan: Obama campaign manager in Baku

  9 February 2009

Just weeks before a controversial referendum will likely remove a constitutional two-term restriction on the presidency, Barack Obama's campaign manager yesterday visited Baku, capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. With foreign broadcasts recently banned in the oil-rich former Soviet republic, the trip has not been well-received by most online political commentators.

Global: On Erdogan's Walkout

  6 February 2009

Earlier this week, Global Voices Turkey author Deborah Ann Dilley detailed the events of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during which Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed off the stage following an argument with Israeli President Shimon Peres. Turkish bloggers weren't the only ones to react to the kerfuffle; A number of bloggers from around the world had something to say about the incident as well.

Global Health: Obama Lifts “Global Gag Rule”

  5 February 2009

In his first week in office, U.S. President Barack Obama lifted a policy popularly known as the “Global Gag Rule.” The move is being applauded by women's rights and public health groups, as it will reinstate funding to international family planning programs globally. The policy, also known as the Mexico...

Algeria: CIA Chief A “Serial Rapist”

  5 February 2009

“That the CIA Station Chief in Algiers is a serial rapist will do serious damage to  American prestige in that country. When this story hits the Algerian press, one can expect fire and anger,” writes American-Algerian blogger The Moor Next Door.

Video: Vlogging for the Blind

  3 February 2009

A Bolivian activist explains how Open Source Software designed for the visually impaired helps him communicate online with chatting, emailing and blogging. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, an organization trains the blind and those with visual disabilities on how to use computers and communication technologies, and an employee and advocate of the ENOVIB network for the blind speaks to youth about how blindness can be an opportunity instead of a disability. In Spain, a designer comes up with videogames that visually impaired people can play, and in Nigeria and Canada, a young woman blogs and vlogs about life as a deaf person who is rapidly losing her sight.

“Obama” gets a tummy ache while visiting Manila

  2 February 2009

A Philippine TV ad features the lookalikes of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo and United States President Barack Obama. The star of the ad, Indonesia's Ilham Anas, is now a celebrity because of his "similarity" to Obama.

“Media as Global Diplomat” Summit – Join Webcast and Chat

  2 February 2009

UPDATE: LIVE CHAT IN SESSION NOW. An event on Tuesday morning in Washington D.C. (Tuesday evening Asia time) called "Media as Global Diplomat", organized by the U.S. Institute of Peace and ITVS, will explore "how the United States can best use media to reinvigorate its public diplomacy strategy and international influence in order to strengthen efforts to build a more peaceful world". Watch the live webcast and join a live chat with Global Voices bloggers.

Cuba, U.S.A.: The Cuban Five

  2 February 2009

As U.S. Supreme Court Justices debate whether to hear the case of The Cuban Five on appeal, Circles Robinson says: “The hypocrisy of such an action became even more evident when the Bush administration began its war on terrorism after 9/11″, while Uncommon Sense has a “suggested counter-offer to the...

Japan and U.S: Totoro Forest Project

  2 February 2009

Martin J Frid from Kurashi introduces an exhibition on Totoro in San Francisco, which is part of the Totoro Forest project for preserving the Sayama Forest in Tokyo.