Today, a look at the American papers and websites which are reacting to Obama’s healthcare speech to Congress – The Huffington Post provides reaction from various media. George Stephapolous of ABC said it was “the most emotional speech he’d ever seen Obam give.” However John Nichols of The Nation said the “great unfinished business of our nation (words of Edward Kennedy regarding the reform) …might remain unfinished under a president who means well but does not necessarily fight well.” This may refer to concessions made by Obama during the speech. Liberal Democrats want a government entity for healthcare – the so-called “public option” yet this may be watered down whereby a network of non-profit, regulated insurers would provide healthcare. The Washington Post covers the heckling that the US President received from certain Republicans as he delivered his speeAlso worth checking out is The Guardian’s cartoon by Steve Bell which depicts the dangers of not reforming healthcare in a parody of Grant Wood’s famous painting, “American Gothic”.

We also had a look at two stories in the Israeli press. The Jerusalem Post covers the ongoing intrigue surrounding Netanyahu’s suspected trip to Moscow on Monday. Israel may have been behind the hijacking of the Russian freighter, Arctic Sea, over the possible transfer of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran. The left-leaning Ha’aretz controversy surrounding an ad campaign by an organisation called Jewish Agency. It portrayed young Jews who marry non-Jews as “lost” or “missing”. The so-called “Lost Jews” campaign has now been pulled amid growing criticism.

Finally, a look at The Independent in the UK which reports on Total’s business dealings in Burma - The Burmese military junta has earned almost $5bn since 2000 from a gas pipeline in the country run by French oil giant Total. The revelation was made by Earth Rights International. The Junta has deposited the money in bank accounts in Singapore which “has deprived the country of vital income,” the paer notes. “Campaigners say that the windfall has been so huge that it has done much to insulate the country's military rulers from the impact of international sanctions imposed over its human rights abuses.”
The news is also on the front page of French paper, Libération.