Stories from 3 April 2009
Brunei joins Earth Hour for the first time
Many bloggers praised the decision of Brunei to support Earth Hour for the very first time last week. Noor Hidayah gathers the reactions of Brunei bloggers and monitors the participation of individuals and business establishments during Earth Hour.
Malaysia: Twitter page of new Prime Minister
Malaysia's new Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Razak has a Twitter account. Check also his website for the links to his Flickr and YouTube sites.
Cambodia: Preah Vihear frontline
Andy Brouwer visited the Cambodia side of the disputed Preah Vihear territory. He posted pictures of soldiers guarding the border.
Fighting erupts again on Preah Vihear border
A border clash took place between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on the disputed Preah Vihear territory. The fighting took place days before the Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary was scheduled to meet.
China: China-France communiqué and G20, a glorious defeat?
Chinese president Hu Jintao and French leader Sarkozy met ahead of the G2O summit on 1 April to repair the ties damaged since last year, when the torch relay was disrupted in Paris and President Sarkozy met with the Dalai Lama in spite of China's opposition. China and France unveiled...
Liberia: Photos of the day
Scarlett Lion posts photos of the day from Liberia.
Liberia: New Liberian Movie: Guided Destiny
Liberian blogger Nat writes about a new Liberian film, Guided Destiny (the “Godfather” of Liberian movies).
Africa: Bob Geldof and two African bloggers
Two African bloggers, Sokari Ekine and Daudi Were, were interviewed together with Bob Geldoft on the under representation of Africa at the G20 summit.
Nigeria: On rebranding Nigeria
Chxta discusses the idea of rebranding Nigeria, “Even those who want to rebuild Nigeria need to learn the most basic of lessons, punctuality.”
Africa: Africa's relevance on the global scene
Daudi Were blogs from the G20 Summit discussing Africa's relevance on the global scene: “On the global scene African countries have very little influence, even less power and no force at all (except against other African countries).”
Africa: On the nakedness of Africans
“On the nakedness of Africans” is a piece written by Zunguzungu, “If clothing is an index of “culture,” then it is clear that African culture sucks. But even authentic nakedness, as it happens, has political consequences that don’t work out well for the Africans.”
Cuba: Full Circle
Cuba's Generation Y says that “without the statement made by the Tenth Havana Biennial Organizing Committee about what happened Sunday at the Wilfredo Lam Center, the performance of Tania Bruguera wouldn’t have been complete.”
Haiti: What the G20 Should Do
Dying in Haiti republishes a letter that a friend wrote to The Washington Post about “what the G-20 can do for Haiti.”
Nicaragua: Refusal of Entry to Club and Allegations of Racism
An Afro-Nicaraguan woman was denied entry at a nightclub in the capital city of Managua. The club states that she was not allowed to enter because of their right to refuse admission, but she alleges racism. Bloggers reflect on the case and about the presence of racism and discrimination in the country, but others think that it was an isolated incident and just part of the nightclub scene where bouncers decide who enters based on how one is dressed and other arbitrary reasons.
Bhutan, Nepal: On Marriage Of Frogs and Rain
Coincidence or supernatural? Freedom in Bhutan is amazed by the news that two traditional marriage ceremonies of frogs were held in southern Bhutan and central Nepal with prayers to the rain God to end the prolonged drought and it rained after a few days in both the places.
Bermuda, Curacao: G20 on Offshores
Vexed Bermoothes has been following the G20 Summit and notes that “Bermuda is on the greylist of 39 ‘jurisdictions that have committed to the internationally agreed tax standard, but have not yet substantially implemented'”, while Karel's Legal Blog is pleased that “The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba do not appear on...
D.R of Congo: The Kinshasa Symphonic Orchestra
David Sasaki writes a post about the Kinshasa Symphonic Orchestra saying, “This is exactly what I mean when I talk about art for the sake of art.”
Cuba, U.S.A.: New Policy?
For Havana Times, Circles Robinson reports that “with the clock ticking away before the April 17-19 Americas Summit, U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar continues to push President Obama to do what he offered in his campaign and more regarding a new Cuba policy.”
Jamaica: Marley's Life
Jamaican diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp poses five questions to the author of a new book about reggae icon Bob Marley.
Bermuda: Power to the People
When it comes to the proposed congestion tax, Bermuda's 21 Square thinks the best approach is to “let the people decide.”
Pakistan: Is This Sharia Law?
After watching a video of a woman being publicly lashed in the northern areas of Pakistan, Deadpan Thoughts questions: “this is what we have reduced Islam to, this is what the government has handed people’s lives to?”
