Readwrotes Blog

By Ed Kowalski Washington 26 June 2009 Michael Jackson (November 2007 file photo) American music superstar Michael Jackson died June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. He was 50 years old. One of the most-recognized performers in the world, Jackson's blend of pop, rock and soul appealed to people of all races and cultures. Michael Jackson's life was described as one of excess and loneliness. He was loved by millions of fans around the world, and had amassed a fortune, but he was often a prisoner of his own fame. Born in Indiana A young Michael Jackson at home in Encino, California in 1972 Born in Gary, Indiana, Michael Jackson was the seventh of nine children. He and his four older brothers showed early talents for playing music, singing and dancing, all of which was encouraged by their parents. At age five, Michael made his professional debut as lead singer with his brother

By VOA News 29 June 2009 Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of Iran's Guardian Council, Tehran (Feb 2009 file photo) Iranian officials have again declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of the nation's disputed presidential election. The powerful group that supervises Iran's elections, the Guardian Council, conducted a partial recount Monday of 10 percent of random ballot boxes nationwide. According to Iranian state media, the Council said the recount confirms the official results from the June 12 vote, and the body dismissed all the election complaints it received. Earlier in the day, the Council said its members met with defeated reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi, but that the meeting was "ineffective." Iranian reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi during a press conference after polls closed in Tehran, 12 June 2009 Mr. Mousavi previously rejected the partial recount an