Stories about Weblog from June, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Michael Jackson v. Elvis Presley
When Saudi blogger and journalist Yasser Al Ghaslan heard about Michael Jackson's death, he immediately remembered when he heard that Elvis Presley had died.
South Africa: To vuvuzela or not to vuvuzela?
Discussions about the popular instrument called the vuvuzela blown by South African football fans have dominated the blogosphere since the beginning of Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, which ended last week. Journalists, TV viewers, coaches and some foreign players called for a ban of the instrument during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The debate is as loud as the instrument itself.
Iran: Protest movement inspires art
Iranian and non-Iranian citizens continue to create online works of art to support Iranians who protest against the June 12 presidential election results in Iran.
Argentina: Kirchner Handed Defeat in Congressional Elections
The parliamentary elections held on Sunday, June 28 across Argentina have left a negative balance for the government of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, and her husband Néstor. Their representation fell in both the Chamber of Deputies and in the Senate. Their candidates were also defeated in many of the most heavily populated provinces.
Ecuador: State Contracts With President's Brother Raise Concerns
Contracts between the state petroleum company and several private companies raised some eyebrows when it was discovered that the brother of current president Rafael Correa was a member of some of the private enterprises. Even though Fabricio Correa has been emphatic that the contracts were won legally, it is still causing the government to look bad.
Ghana: New Media in the Hands of Young Ghanaians
Operated by young people, for young people, YPWC exploits new media to create links with like-minded individuals and organisations around the world to enhance opportunities for young people here in Ghana.
Israel: would Israeli grassroots support harm the Iranian uprising?
In the past two weeks Israelis were following the tweets coming out of Iran with excitement, but divided on the issue of participation in the twitter revolution. Carmel Vaisman brings us the debate..
Grimaces of education in Kazakhstan
From June 01 to June 10 school graduates in Kazakhstan were undergoing Unified National Test (UNT) – the first and one of the most important tests in their lives. As...
Morocco: Celebrating the First Female Mayor of Marrakesh
The Moroccan elections of two weeks ago brought surprising results and were received with mixed reactions, as Hisham pointed out in this post. One such result was the election of...
Honduras: Zelaya Arrested and Removed as President
The day started across Honduras with news that President Mel Zelaya was arrested in his home by armed soldiers on the same day of a controversial referendum. Days earlier, Zelaya had removed the head of the Armed Forces. Reactions ranged from calling the situation a coup d'état to those who saw the move as the only way to stop Zelaya's attempts to run for an additional term.
Africa: Bloggers pay tribute to Michael Jackson
In Africa, bloggers are paying tribute to Michael Jackson after his recent death by posting pictures, music videos, poetry and reflections. "RIP MJ," writes Kenyan blogger WildeYearnings. "You now have the whole sky to moonwalk on..."
Pakistan: The Hunt For Baituallah Mehsud
Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban leader, is currently the most wanted man in Pakistan and is responsible for many recent terrorist attacks in the country. The Pakistan army has recently started an operation against Baitullah Mehsud and his allies but the offensive threatens displacing more people from the region which can lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
Iraq: Reflecting on Iran
Assuming my dear readers have not been living in a cave for the past couple of weeks, the developments after the recent Iranian elections need no introduction. Here I present,...
Iraq: Remembering Michael Jackson
There was some comment in the Iraqi blogs on Michael Jackson. But first… If you read no other blog this week read this one: A little late in the posting...
Iranian officials ‘crowd-source’ protester identities
Iranian protesters appearing in widely disseminated online photos from the ongoing post-election demonstrations in Iran, are now being targeted on website of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It shows images of 20 people with red circles drawn around their faces claiming they have been involved in creating "chaos" in Tehran.
Honduras: Political Crisis Over Controversial Referendum
The political crisis in Honduras is deepening after the removal of the head of the Armed Forces because of his statements that the military would not support the scheduled referendum to take place on Sunday, June 28. Now there is increased uncertainty regarding the vote. Bloggers are worried about their country's present and future.
Kenya: The plight of gays and lesbians in Kenya
As much as Nairobi is described as one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Africa where a lot of homosexuals find solace, homophobia is widespread. Kenyan bloggers discuss how homosexuals are named and shamed all over the Internet.
MJ Death Reaction in Kuwait
After the passing of Michael Jackson there has been a mixture of reactions from the Kuwaiti blogosphere: for some it was memories from their childhood, for others its discussing their own feelings about the artist and their reactions to other people's opinions. Abdullatif AlOmar translates Kuwaiti sentiment in this post.
Iran: Remembering Omid Reza Mir Sayafi and March 18th
A few months after the death of Blogger Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, who died in an Iranian prison after allegedly insulting religious leaders, the March18.org site has been set up to remember him and to hopefully keep this story from repeating itself. Following, the first video created for the March18 movement.
South Asia: The World Is Poorer Without MJ
Millions of fans across the world are mourning the sudden death of Michael Jackson, the king of pop, and remembering how his music was associated with their growth. South Asian bloggers are also chiming in with their reactions.
Caribbean, USA: Tributes to the “King of Pop”
Despite the controversy which plagued him for the latter part of his eccentric life, the sudden and unexpected death of American-born entertainer Michael Jackson, dubbed "The King of Pop", has touched millions of people around the world - and the Caribbean is no exception. Regional bloggers pay their respects...
