Stories from 11 April 2009
Thailand: Protesters disrupt ASEAN Summit
Thousands of opposition Red Shirts in Thailand stormed inside the venue of a major Asian Summit which forced the government to announce the cancellation of the event. Most of the Red Shirts are loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They want incumbent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign. What are the reactions from Thailand’s blogosphere?
Palestine: Art Amongst The Ruins
In Gaza, Sharyn Lock writes about art being shown in a destroyed hospital building: “As part of the World Health Day commemorations, three artists are displaying their work in this same building, art that is a response to the Israeli attacks on hospitals and medical workers.”
Palestine: Dialogue in Gaza
Gazan blogger Omar Ghraieb recently attended a workshop concerned with dialogue and reconciliation between the Palestinian political factions.
Bahrain: Airport Stories
Bahraini blogger Yagoob recounts some of his recent experiences in airports – including meeting a Japanese security officer in Nagoya who wanted to practice speaking Arabic.
Bahrain: The Pleasures of Motherhood
Um Naief is an American married to a Bahraini, and she has written a post about why she enjoys motherhood so much.
Fiji's President voids constitution, calls for elections in five years
Less than 24 hours after a Fiji court declared the country’s military backed government to be unconstitutional, Fiji’s president has voided the country’s constitution, made himself head of state and dismissed the country’s judiciary. The issue stems from a Thursday, April 9 court ruling stating the military leader Frank Bainimarama...
Japan: Filipino girl sees her parents deported
All are equal before the law and in Japan, foreigners without a legal permit to stay must leave the country. Deportation is assured for any illegal immigrant. This is what the Calderons are heading for. Arlan and Sarah Calderon, two Filipino citizens, illegally resident in Japan since the early 90s,...
Korea: Launch of Missile (or Satellite) from North Korea and South Koreans.
What people expected really happened. North Korea launched their rocket or satellite on the 5th of April, which is tree planting day in South Korea. After the event there have been many opinions and there are netizens who criticize other South Koreas who seemed not to care so much about...
Jordan: Community Work Changing Lives
In a heartwarming story from Jordan, Sha3teely blogs about his local community's efforts to help a visually impaired street vendor. Ebtihal Mahadeen brings us the story.
Palestine: Gaza Mom Back in the US
The saga of Palestinian blogger and mother Laila El-Haddad and her two children has come to a complete circle - she is back in the US, where she started her long trek to Gaza, Palestine, three days earlier, after the Egyptian authorities denied her from reaching home. Her messages on Twitter helped draw attention to her plight as well as the drama many Palestinians face as they cross boundaries.
Saudi Arabia: Last Rant on G20 Summit
Saudi blogger Saudi Jeans attended the G20 Summit in London, and offers us his “last rant” in this post.
UAE: BarCamp UAE Date Set
“After the DemoCamps, Tweetups, and Twestival; Dubai will soon be witnessing another interesting event: BarCamp UAE,” writes Mohamed Marwen Meddah of StartUp Arabia, about this May 9 event.
Bahrain: Authorities Censor Just Bahraini
Just Bahraini has been blocked by the authorities in Bahrain. “I don’t know what the rationale used at our respected Ministry of Information to block this particular site, a site which I created in order to find common ground between all Bahrainis regardless of confessionalism or religious belonging,” writes Mahmood...
