Stories about North America from February, 2009
USA: Activists Incensed after Fatal Shooting by Police
Several people recorded mobile phone videos of a police officer shooting and killing a young man named Oscar Grant on a train platform in Oakland, California, on January 1. Since then, citizen media have been central in the ensuing campaigns for justice.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Aggravation Nation
Trinidadian blogger Now is Wow Too is finding the U.S.A. “an unfortunate source of aggravation”.
India: Environmental Scholars On a Very Cool Mission
About two weeks ago, I read in Tom Friedman's column in the New York Times about two young scholars from the U.S who were on a very impressive mission in India. Alexis Ringwald and Caroline Howe are touring the country in an electric/solar powered car to raise awareness about the...
Lebanon: Christopher Hitchens’ Beirut Scuffle Sparks Debate
Former leftist turned conservative writer Christopher Hitchens ran into trouble in Beirut last week when he attempted to deface a poster/memorial of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), a Hezbollah ally. Versions of the event claim a heavily intoxicated Hitchens shouted obscenities at the party, ultimately resulting in an altercation with several SSNP members nearby. These allegations have sparked a debate across continents, writes Antoun Issa.
Syrian Ambassador in Washington Lectures on Syrian-American Relations
Syrian Ambassador in Washington lectures university students on Syrian-American relations and asks them not to be overly optimistic in regards to the future of the relations since the Obama Adminstration hasn't set its course of action with Syria yet, reports [ar] Maurice Aaek.
China: Bush maize ad
Sunbin posted a photos showing an ad making use of Bush for selling maize.
Palestine: Canada Speaking Tour
Palestinian blogger and journalist Laila El-Haddad starts a speaking tour in Canada on March 2.
Indonesia: Clinton visit a “diplomatic success”
U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume blogged about Secretary Clinton's visit to Jakarta. He says the visit was a diplomatic success.
Blog Plagiarism hits Egyptian Bloggers
Is there such a thing as blog plagiarism? Egyptian bloggers argue both sides of the fence on Facebook and on their blogs after a newspaper started quoting bloggers - without their permission, reports Marwa Rakha.
To females traveling to Egypt … or to the US
Crimes against women from Egypt to the US
Serbia: Update on Miladin Kovacevic
Belgraded posts an update on the Miladin Kovacevic’s story.
Egypt: A walk down memory lane in NY
Mostafa, an Egyptian student living in Virginia, US, writes a beautiful review for the movie “The Visitor” , relating to his own experience.
Egypt: Bloggers React to Cairo bombings
A French tourist was killed and around 20 people were injured when a bomb exploded outside the Al Hussein Mosque in Cairo's popular tourist area Khan Al Khalili. And as the world was coming to grips with what was happening on the ground, Egypt's bloggers were quick at work, exchanging updates, information, analysis and concerns.
“Clinton should visit Brunei”
Peacelovekindness enumerates the reasons why United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should visit Brunei.
Iraq: The Irony in Al Zaidi's Shoe Throwing
Iraqi Pundit discusses the case of Muntadhar Al Zaidi, the journalist who threw a shoe at President George W Bush, during his visit to Iraq late last year. “I have said before that I understand that he released the frustration of countless Iraqis, and I get why Iraqis and non-Iraqis...
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Change? Really?
“He has taken several steps back from the openness he once showed, the willingness to talk to anyone without preconditions. He proposes to send 17,000 more troops into Afghanistan…dampening down one war only to refuel another”: Notes from Port of Spain is “still cynical about Barack Obama.”
Clinton visits Indonesia
Aside from meeting the leaders of Indonesia, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton found the time to visit a slum community in Jakarta. She also appeared in a teen-oriented TV show. What are the reactions of bloggers?
Caribbean, USA: Where in the World is Allen Stanford?
It's one thing for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to lay fraud charges against Texas billionaire-cum-Caribbean cricket magnate Allen Stanford - but first, authorities have to find him. As panicky investors flock to Stanford-owned banks from Antigua to South America to try and withdraw their funds, speculation is rife as to where Mr. Stanford might be.
Egypt: Ayman Nour Released
Egypt has just released political dissident Ayman Nour, who has spent more than three years in prison. Bloggers welcomed the move, but were left wondering about its motives and timing.
Ukraine: Obama's and NATO Membership
Ukrainiana notes that Obama seems to no longer support “NATO track for Ukraine” – and posts this comment: “If the Obama administration opts for a ‘Chicken Kiev’ foreign policy, it's not just Ukraine that may get fried.”
Canada: Rally Threatens Jewish Students at York University
An anti-Israel rally at York University in Toronto, Canada forced Jewish students to flee for cover. Threatening cries included: “Die, Jew, get the hell off campus,” and “Die… go back to Israel,” Jewlicious reports.
