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Barack Obama

This tag is associated with 36 posts

Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire

By Patrick Cox ⋅ February 5, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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As Obama enters the second year of his presidency, he’s dropped some expressions — “war on terror”, “Af-Pak”, even “Middle East”. His administration has invented a few too: “remotedly piloted aircraft” (drones) and “overseas contingency operations” (wars). Also, a special screening of Avatar in Ecuador for indigenous groups. What did these Shuar and Achuar speakers think of Avatar’s invented language, Na’vi? Finally, a new online satirical movie is all the rage in China. It features a Chinese double-entendre phrase aimed at avoiding government censorship. The movie also includes a fantastic “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” rant.
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Weird words like whiffling, and the elusive meaning of peace

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 18, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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justice and peace

A conversation with Adam Jacot de Boinod, a seeker of obscure but colorful English expressions. If you read his new book, “The Wonder of Whiffling”, you’ll know whether you prefer to muppet shuffle or dwile flunk. You’ll know if you are a pozzy-wallah. Some of expressions are brand new, others long gone. Also, the meaning of the word peace. Barack Obama was the latest figure to tweak its definition when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and made the argument for “just war”. Download MP3

Barack Obama accepts Nobel Peace Prize

By The World ⋅ December 10, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Duncan Kennedy, who covered the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway today.

Words your grandmother taught you in Chinese, Dutch and Yiddish

By Patrick Cox ⋅ November 30, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Many people learned their first foreign words from their grandmothers. Marco Werman learned a Dutch curse. Nina Porzucki learned a Yiddish word that speaks to a certain Jewish mindset. Marilyn Chin learned insults, puns and tongue twisters, many of which later found their way into Chin’s poetry and fiction.
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Podcast: New Peace Lobby for Israel

By Matthew Bell ⋅ October 30, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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On this week’s American Influence podcast, J Street has its coming out party in Washington. The new pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby group creates a stir. And US-funded Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. Join The World’s Matthew Bell for his weekly in-depth look at US foreign policy and its effects across the globe. Download MP3

Pakistan’s reluctant war on terrorism

By Matthew Bell ⋅ October 12, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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South Asia expert Christine Fair on Pakistan’s “partial war against terrorism.” Insurgent groups in Pakistan with ties to Al Qaeda and the Taliban are a threat to the government of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and a huge problem for Washington.Download MP3

Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

By The World ⋅ October 9, 2009 ⋅ 29 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Today, Barack Obama became the third sitting U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Obama for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” The announcement drew both warm praise and sharp criticism. We’ll gauge international reaction to the announcement and the World’s Jeb Sharp puts it into historical perspective. What do you think of Obama’s win? Leave a comment below. Download MP3 Photo: White House

Obama win a surprise for bookmaker Ladbrokes

By The World ⋅ October 9, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Obama’s win certainly surprised Britain’s Ladbrokes betting company. They had set the odds for the various Nobel candidates, and Obama was a long shot compared to favorites like Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba and Chinese dissident Hu Jia. So what was the pay-out on Obama’s Nobel win? We ask Robin Hutchinson, a spokesman for Ladbrokes. Download MP3

Ladbrokes homepage

Global cartoonists and Obama’s peace prize

By The World ⋅ October 9, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Global reaction to President Obama’s winning of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize has ranged from praise to anger. Editorial cartoonists across the globe have certainly wasted no time in putting pen and ink to paper. The World’s Carol Hills has been trolling through some of their work today, and put together this slideshow.

Mideast photo-op, Israeli settlements and West Bank economy

By Matthew Bell ⋅ October 1, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Matthew Bell reports from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Nablus in this episode of The World’s American Influence podcast. Extended interview with Ha’aretz political columnist Akiva Eldar, author of Lords of the Land.
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Mid-east peace: The view from the West Bank

By The World ⋅ September 22, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Climate isn’t the only topic under discussion today in New York. President Obama made his most direct foray into Middle East diplomacy by convening three-way talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. We take you to the West Bank city of Nablus, where The World’s Matthew Bell has been talking to locals and gauging the mood, and the economy. Download MP3 (Photo: Matthew Bell)

Missile defense, Iran, Israel-Palestinian talks and Sept. 11th

By Matthew Bell ⋅ September 18, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Hillary Clinton makes the administration’s case for missile defense, engaging Iran and pushing for talks between Israel and the Palestinians. It’s early days, but how far has President Obama gone to transform US foreign since the Bush era. Robert Kagan and Marc Lynch give their takes on the anniversary of September 11th.
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Overhauling America’s financial system

By The World ⋅ September 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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President Barack Obama has called on Congress to approve an overhaul of the US regulatory regime. In a speech marking one year since the collapse of Lehman Brothers bank, he also mounted a vigorous defense of his administration’s economic policies. Marco Werman talked with the BBC’s Economics Correspondent Andrew Walker (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Download MP3

Obama and Africa

By The World ⋅ August 11, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President Bush, about where Africa lands on the priority list for the Obama Administration.

Putin’s 10th anniversary in power

By The World ⋅ August 7, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Vladimir Putin is celebrating an anniversary today. The Russian prime minister has been at the top, or near the top, of the power pyramid in Russia for a decade. Jessica Golloher reports on Mr. Putin’s successes and failures. And we sample a satiric song about Mr. Putin.