THE POPE’S VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND

On a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI was in Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Territories - a visit followed closely by net users who have many online tools at their disposal.

The Vatican transmitted the pope’s visit with its brand new channel, created on Youtube. Each speech, journey and movement by Pope Benedict XVI was filmed and immediately posted online.
http://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

But competition was fierce. Many online channels were also covering the slightest movements of the pope, like this Catholic American web TV channel.
http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=99

Apart from these official channels, Twitter was also allowing net users to follow the pope’s visit minute by minute. Net users often prefer to share unusual images on the site.
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23pope
http://twitter.com/israellycool
http://www.israellycool.com/2009/05/12/the-day-in-israel-tues-may-12th-2009/

This user talks about the impressive security measures implemented for the occasion - measures that are also commented upon on Youtube. This video shows the tension between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnEwy-JWLFg

SUPERHEROES

Super heroes are amongst us! From the US to Italy and passing through Mexico, masked heroes are appearing. They aim to serve society and some of its worst off. The web acts as their HQ and showcase.

Master Legend, who officiates in Florida, is one of them. On his Myspace page, the American explains that he helps combat crime by informing the local police and also helps the homeless.
http://www.myspace.com/therealmasterlegend

And Master Legend is not alone. Super heroes are proliferating as demonstrated in this interactive map that shows their presence across the world.
http://www.frappr.com/reallifesuperheroes

Anonymous superheroes and real life superheroes: dedicated sites are multiplying on the Web. Among them, the benchmark information portal in the domain, the "World Super Hero Registry" lists masked heroes and offers tutorials to beginners.
http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/
http://superheroesanonymous.com/
http://www.superheroeslives.com/indexreallife.htm
http://www.worldsuperheroregistry.com/
http://www.worldsuperheroregistry.com/world_superhero_registry_gallery.htm

Heroes have also invaded Youtube to explain their work and recruit new followers. Here, PhantomZero calls upon his sidekicks to show up and reveal their domain of action. Hundreds of replies have since been posted online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aSiprxxOYc ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VHeKCOcx4Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aSiprxxOYc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlGUw-F6Weg&feature=related

THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM

A film made by fans for fans: here is ‘The Hunt for Gollum’. Inspired by the adventures of the Lord of the Rings, this film, directed by a team of volunteers, is available on Dailymotion. It took two years to make, for a budget of just £3,000.

http://thehuntforgollum.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html
http://www.dailymotion.com/gb/video/x93zji_the-hunt-for-gollum-hd-version_shortfilms

BORISBECKER.TV

Discover Boris Becker’s life! On the site of the German daily paper, ‘Bild’, Borisbecker.tv. has been launched, allowing net users to follow the slightest movements of the former German tennis star, reputed for his amorous escapades, with online videos. There is Boris the businessman, Boris the father... You can also see the preparations for his wedding, planned for June.
http://www.boris-becker.tv/WebTV