Stories from 28 June 2009
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..."
Palestine: Lebanese Activist Stuck At Egypt-Gaza Border
Lebanese activist Natalie Abou Shakra, who reported from Gaza during Israel's attacks in January, is not being allowed to cross out of the Gaza Strip into Egypt.
Russia: “Ingushetia, boom”
A Fistful of Euros writes about the assassination attempt on Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and the situation in Ingushetia and other North Caucasus regions.
Palestine: Learn From Palestinians
In the West Bank, Samuel Nichols describes visiting a Palestinian family: “These people don't need to learn about modern economics, democracy, or the peace process. The opposite is true, we all need to learn from them. The graciousness, kindness, and love of their hospitality is something that could change the...
Palestine: Rafah Crossing Open For 72 Hours
Laila El-Haddad is hoping she will see her parents soon, as the Rafah Crossing from Gaza into Egypt is temporarily opened: “Of the some 5000 Palestinians registered to cross, only 250 were allowed out of Gaza on the first day (a total of 5 buses), and only 4 buses scheduled...
Israel/Palestine: Travels With A Surfboard
Jesse Aizenstat is an American surfer who has been visiting Israel and Palestine – and he has carried his surfboard everywhere: “Walk from the Jerusalem bus station to the Muslim Quarter. This took about a half-hour; perhaps more because of inquisitive strangers questioning my sanity for bringing a surfboard to...
Israel/Palestine: Analyzing the New York Times’ Coverage
Peace activist Richard Silverstein analyzes the New York Times’ coverage of Israel and Palestine by reporter Ethan Bronner. Silverstein criticizes what he perceives to be Bronner's pattern of deprecating and minimizing the work of the Israeli peace movement.
Honduras: Still Heading to the Polls Despite Arrest of President
Despite the arrest of President Mel Zelaya and with military planes flying over the cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Juan Carlos Rivera of Mirada de Halcon [es] writes that Hondurans are still heading to the polls.
Honduras: The Arrest of President Mel Zelaya
Honduran President Mel Zelaya has been arrested and Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve writes about some of the swirling rumors, as well as the fact that one of the online newspapers is down, probably by the overwhelming traffic.
Algeria: On France's burqa ban
Algerian-American blogger The Moor Next Door remarks upon France's intended burqa ban, saying, “The trouble the French may want to worry about is not the burqa as it is worn in France today, but that such a ban, as the headscarf ban has done, will make the garment a greater...
Syria: The Worst Time to Die
Syrian blogger Maysaloon notes the unfortunate timing of Michael Jackson's death in relation to the Iran media storm.
Palestine: Memorializing Michael Jackson
Palestinian blogger Sabreen Witches memorializes Michael Jackson and his influence on the world in this post.
Morocco: The Last Jews of Essaouira
Reading Morocco mentions an article on the last Jews of the town of Essaouira but says of the discourse: “I am intrigued by the history of Jews in Morocco but there needs to be a little more constructive criticism of Jewish out migration from the country, especially to Israel; and...
Palestine: Support Requested For West Bank Villagers
The activists of The Villages Group are requesting support for the villagers of Susya in the southern Hebron Hills in the West Bank.
Kyrgyzstan: “Fight Piracy!” Action
Samat presents a photo-post on the action to protect the copyright and fight piracy, staged by the Kyrgyzstan's State Patient Service.
Kazakhstan: KGB is back?
Adam writes that journalists, rights advocates and opposition leaders, express concern that Kazakhstan returns to the vicious practice of the Soviet times in treating the dissent.
Kazakhstan: Media Protest Against Crackdown
Arman reports on a silent action of protest in the downtown of Almaty, Kazakhstan, in which journalists of independent newspapers, media organizations and opposition politicians put on scarves on their mouths in a symbolic demand of more freedom of speech.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Remain Worst of the Worst
Musa reviews the “Worst of the Worst 2009″ report by Freedom House, which lists two Central Asian states – Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – among the world’s most repressive societies.
Kyrgyzstan: Terror Attack Registered
Joshua Foust reports that according to the Kyrgyzstan’s regional administration, five armed individuals killed by the Kyrgyz national security troops were members of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Pakistan: A Minute Of Silence Honoring MJ At Sindh Assembly
Paksitani blog PKKH calls this a death of common sense: “Just when you think our so called ‘elected representatives’ can’t embarrass us anymore, they tend to prove us wrong. The Sindh Assembly has this morning held a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Michael Jackson, on his sad...
ISS: Photos and a Poem from Koichi Wakata
Astronaut Koichi Wakata on the International Space Station posted some photographs, including one of Sarychev Volcano while it was erupting (Also part of NASA's Image of the Day Gallery), and a tanka poem: “My home planet enwrapped / The blue light of the atmosphere shines”.
