Medvedev to discuss security, visas with leaders of France, Germany

FILE : French President Nicolas Sarkozy , Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a trilateral meeting during the first G-20 at the Convention Center on June 27, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario Canada. (Pictured: Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel , Dmitry Medvedev ) Photo by Olivier Douliery /ABACAUSA.COM

October 18, 2010 (KATAKAMI / RIA NOVOSTI) --- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with French and German leaders on Monday to discuss, among other things, European security and the Russia-EU visa regime.

The talks between Medvedev, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Deauville, northern France, would resume after the five-year break with a working dinner on Monday. Three-party consultations are scheduled for Tuesday morning, followed by a joint news conference.
"A three-sided meeting is not an exclusive club to work out decisions separately from other states, but rather a convenient format for discussing our common vision in a trustful, frank atmosphere with our closest partners in Europe," Prikhodko said.

Regarding European security, Prikhodko said Russia wants to promote Medvedev's European security treaty initiative.

Medvedev proposed drawing up a new European security pact in June 2008, and Russia published a draft of the treaty in December 2009, sending copies to heads of state and international organizations, including NATO. However, the proposal has been met coolly by Western powers.

Prikhodko also said that soonest introduction eased visa regime between Russia and the European Union will be among the key issues on the agenda.

"The first issue that we would put forward will be the eased procedure of visa issuance and introduction of advanced methods in data processing," the Kremlin official said.

He did not rule out that Russia may raise the question of scrapping visa regime with the EU, which has become a major foreign policy goal in Moscow's relations with Brussels.

Russia submitted a draft agreement on scrapping visa requirements to the European Union at the Russia-EU summit in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on May 31. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on the same day that "the majority of our partners in Europe support this idea," but several EU states reject it, mainly for political reasons.

Prikhodko said that energy issues, Iran's controversial nuclear program, as well as Russia-NATO and Russia-EU cooperation would also be discussed at the meeting.

MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti)

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi wants to ‘tweet’

Aung San Suu Kyi

October 18, 2010 (KATAKAMI / THE JAKARTA POST / AP ) --- Myanmar's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi wants to sign up for a Twitter account once she is released so that she can "tweet" and keep in touch with the younger generation, her lawyer said Monday.

The 65-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has been detained for 15 of the past 21 years, entered her latest period of detention in May 2003 before the Twitter era started.

Her detention expires on Nov. 13, prompting speculation she will be freed though there has been no such official announcement from the ruling military junta. The country's first election in 20 years will take place days earlier on Nov. 7, timing that analysts say was designed to keep the opposition leader locked away for the polls.

"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's current wish is to sign up on Twitter when she is released," said her lawyer Nyan Win, who has visited her twice in the past week. "She told me she wants to use Twitter to get in touch with the younger generation inside and outside the country."

"She wishes to be able to tweet every day and keep in touch," he said.

Suu Kyi has no phone line or any access to the Internet, though she has a laptop, Nyan Win said. He described her as computer- and tech-savvy and adept with electronic gadgets.

Under the rules of her detention, Suu Kyi is allowed to read state-controlled newspapers and private local news journals and magazines, to listen to the radio and to watch state-run television but she has no satellite dish to receive foreign broadcasts.

Her lawyers are among the few people allowed to see Suu Kyi, aside from her doctors and occasional visits with U.N. and foreign dignitaries.

According to July statistics from the state-run Post and Telecommunication Ministry, there are 400,000 internet users in Myanmar, with the vast majority in the former capital Yangon and the second-largest city of Mandalay.

Photos : Russian PM Vladimir Putin And his wife Lyudmila Putina takes part in all-Russia population census

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) and his wife Lyudmila (C) talk to a census-taker as they participate in a nationwide population count at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow October 16, 2010. Putin and his wife Lyudmila made a rare joint public appearance over the weekend seeking to reaffirm their marriage amid persistent divorce rumours. Picture taken October 16, 2010. (Getty Images / REUTERS/RIA Novosti/Alexei Druzhinin/Pool )

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, and his wife Lyudmila Putina, second right, participate in the All-Russian population census at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila invited a census taker to their suburban residence to fill in the census questionnaire. Russia on Thursday launched a two-week population census, its first since 2002 and second in its post-Soviet history. (Getty Images /AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexey Druzhinin, pool)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, and his wife Lyudmila Putina, second right, participate in the All-Russian population census at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila invited a census taker to their suburban residence to fill in the census questionnaire. Russia on Thursday launched a two-week population census, its first since 2002 and second in its post-Soviet history. (Getty Images / AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexey Druzhinin, pool)

Indonesian President says political differences must not sacrifice national unity

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono watch the celebrations of the country's 65th Independence Day at the presidential palace in Jakarta on August 17, 2010. (Photo : ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)

October 17, 2010 (KATAKAMI/ THE JAKARTA POST) — President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Sunday that any differences among political parties must not sacrifice national unity.

“Each of us can have a different political stance, but for the people, we must live in unity,” he said during the celebration of the ninth anniversary of Democratic Party.

Yudhoyono called on his party members to work hard for the next three years.

“I ask you to always work and not to blame one another,” he said as quoted by tempointeraktif.com
Political party chairmen and leaders such as Aburizal Bakrie, Hatta Rajasa, Suryadharma Ali, Muhaimin Iskandar, Tifatul Sembiring, Suhardi, and Sutiyoso attended the Democratic Party anniversary celebration.

Ahmadinejad: Iran ready for talks, won’t yield nuclear rights

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned his country won't yield any international rights to peaceful nuclear energy development. (CNN)

October 17, 2010 (KATAKAMI / CNN) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is taking a hard line ahead of nuclear talks scheduled for next month with world powers skeptical of his government's intentions, local media reported Sunday.

Ahmadinejad said that Iran is ready to hold talks, but warned that his country won't yield any of its international rights to peaceful nuclear energy development, according to the reports.

"Holding talks with Iran is the best choice for you," Ahmadinejad was quoted by state-run Press TV as saying at a rally in Ardebil in northwestern Iran Sunday. "You have no other option. All the other ways are closed. You know the fact very well,"

The United States and other world powers fear Iran is developing a nuclear program for military purposes. Iran has denied those allegations.

"You should make it clear that what is your aim of negotiations, friendship or hostility? Do you want to follow logic or law or issue resolution and make threat?" the semi-official Iran Student's News Agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying. He added that Western powers should also pressure Israel over its undeclared but widely-suspected nuclear capability, ISNA said.

Last month, Ahmadinejad said an Iranian representative would meet with the "P5 plus one" group. The group is made up of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia -- along with Germany.

Nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers have been stalled since October 1, 2009, when the two groups last met in Geneva.

The EU has proposed the two sides meet again in mid-November back in Geneva. Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian foreign minister, said Saturday that November 15 had been suggested for a meeting date.

It may be a sign that Tehran is feeling the bite of increased sanctions imposed in recent months to pressure a return to talks.

Iran is now subject to four sets of U.N. sanctions, while the United States and the EU have also imposed separate penalties on Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium.

Still, Ahmadinejad said Iran is not weakening in its resolve, "They thought they can weaken the Iranian nation through imposing sanctions and posing threats, but Iranians have showed integrity, convergence and strength," he told Press TV.

Iran's semi-official FARS news agency also released figures claiming that trade with the P5 plus one economies had actually jumped 12 percent despite new sanctions aimed at reining in Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

It claimed that during the six months since March 21, trade had climbed to $9.3 billion. China accounted for most of Tehran's trade with the group.

Imports fell sharply from the United States, but exports to America more than doubled to $77 million, leaving Iran with a small trade surplus with the world's largest economy.

Distraught relatives gather outside Chinese mine as rescuers battle deadly coal dust in bid to free 11 trapped miners

October 17, 2010. (KATAKAMI / DAILY MAIL.CO.UK) — Dozens of anxious relatives and friends of 11 miners trapped underground by an explosion in central China gathered outside the site today as rescuers battled tons of coal dust in a bid to reach them.

The number of miners confirmed dead rose by five to 26, state media said.

China’s crisis happened as the world was still celebrating Chile’s successful rescue of 33 miners trapped for more than two months.

Distraught: Relatives of the dead and trapped miners in China’s Henan province gathered outside the mine today as rescuers battled tons of coal dust in an effort to rescue them 

 

 

 

Deadly: China’s mines are the most dangerous in the world. 195 people died in mining accidents in Henan in August alone 

 

 

Chinese media had detailed coverage as the Chilean men emerged to cheers.

Some in China asked whether their own officials would make as much of an effort in a similar disaster and be just as open about the progress of rescue efforts.

Yesterday’s blast at the Pingyu Coal & Electric mine occurred as workers were drilling a hole to release pressure from a gas build-up to decrease the risk of explosions, the state work safety administration said.

Guarded: Two dozen police officers were stationed outside the mine’s main gate, preventing anyone from entering the site without authorisation 

 

State media said 70 rescuers had been sent to the site in Henan province after the early-morning explosion.

But hopes of rescuing the remaining trapped workers were fading as they were buried under coal and it could take three or four days to try to find them, said a report by China National Radio.

Rescuers also faced dangerous gas levels and the risk of falling rocks as they worked their way into the mine pit.

The explosion unleashed more than 2,500 tons of coal dust, an engineer for one of the mine’s parent companies, Du Bo, told the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

A rescue spokesman told Xinhua that workers had located the trapped miners, but must clear tons of coal dust from the mine shaft to reach them.

Emergency: Rescuers prepare to descend into a mine in central China after an explosion yesterday killed 26 workers and trapped a further 11 underground 

 

Today two dozen police officers were stationed outside the mine’s main gate, preventing anyone from entering the site without authorisation.

About 50 of the trapped miners’ friends and relatives quietly waited outside.

The Chinese government has shut down more than 1,600 small, illegal coal mines this year as part of an effort to improve safety standards, the state-backed People’s Daily newspaper reported on Thursday.

However, an unknown number of illegal mines still exist to profit from the fast-growing economy’s huge appetite for power.

Relief goods: Workers carry supplies into the entrance of the Pingyu No.4 Coal mine in Yuzhou, Henan province 

 

Another gas blast at the same mine two years ago killed 23 people, state media said.

It was not clear if the miners were alive or how far underground they were trapped in the mine in the city of Yuzhou, about 430 miles south of Beijing.

China Central Television’s news channel had an excited live broadcast from the mine yesterday, but it later did not mention the accident on the main TV evening news.

The gas level inside the mine was 40 per cent, far higher than the normal level of about 1 per cent, state media said.

The gas was not specified, but methane is a common cause of mine blasts and coal dust is explosive.
China celebrated its own stunning mine rescue earlier this year, when 115 miners were pulled from a flooded mine in the northern province of Shanxi after more than a week underground.

Rescuers prepare to go underground, where they are battling dangerous levels of gas and the risk of falling coal as they work to free the trapped miners 

 

The miners survived by eating sawdust, tree bark, paper and even coal. Some strapped themselves to the walls of the shafts with their belts to avoid drowning while they slept.

But it was a rare bright spot. At least 195 people were killed in mining accidents during August in Henan this year, according to the provincial coal mine safety bureau.

China’s mines had 6,995 fatalities in 2002, the deadliest year on record whilst about 2,600 people were killed in accidents last years year.

Photostream : Pope Benedict XVI canonises six new saints

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a solemn mass for the canonisation of Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Marï¿?ï¿?ï¿?de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola, Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Giulia Salzano, Battista Varano in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican October 17, 2010. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Tony Gentile )

Pope Benedict XVI attends a Canonisation ceremony in St Peter's square, on October 17, 2010 in Vatican City, Vatican. The pontiff today named six new Saints; Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola of Spain, Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen) MacKillop, Giulia Salzano and Battista Camilla da Varano. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

In this picture made available by the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd inside St. Peter's Basilica, at Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. The Pontiff gave Australia its first saint on Sunday, canonizing a 19th-century nun and also declaring five other saints in a Mass attended by tens of thousands of people. (Getty Images / AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, HO)

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd (R) and deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop (L) attend the Canonisation ceremony of Australia's first Saint sister Mary MacKillop celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St.Peter's square on October 17, 2010 in Vatican City, Vatican. The pontiff today named six new Saints; Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola of Spain, Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen) MacKillop, Giulia Salzano and Battista Camilla da Varano. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Archbishop of Australia Cardinal George Pell (C) arrives for a canonisation ceremony includes Australia's first Saint, Sister Mary MacKillo, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on October 17, 2010 in Vatican City, Vatican. The pontiff named today six new Saints; Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola of Spain, Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen) MacKillop, Giulia Salzano and Battista Camilla da Varano. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Pilgrims hold pictures of new saints, Australian Mary of the Cross MacKillop (L) and Canadian Andre Bessette, as Pope Benedict XVI leads a solemn mass for the canonisation of six new saints in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican October 17, 2010. ( REUTERS/Tony Gentile )

Australian pilgrims hold banners featuring the portrait of Australia's first Saint Sister Mary MacKillo during a canonisation ceremony celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on October 17, 2010 in Vatican City, Vatican. The pontiff named today six new Saints; Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola of Spain, Mary of the Cross (Mary Helen) MacKillop, Giulia Salzano and Battista Camilla da Varano. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images )

A tapestry showing new Canadian Saint Andre Bessette hangs from Saint Peter's Basilica as Pope Benedict XVI leads a solemn mass for the canonisation of six new saints in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican October 17, 2010. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Tony Gentile )

No date set for Moscow mayor vote - City Duma speaker

Sergei Sobyanin

October 17, 2010 (KATAKAMI) --- No date has yet been set for a vote in Moscow city parliament on the nomination by President Dmitry Medvedev of Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin as Moscow mayor, the City Duma speaker said on Sunday.

Media reports earlier said the vote, which is widely expected to be little more than a rubber-stamping, would take place on Thursday.

“No final decision has been taken yet on the issue,” Vladimir Platonov told RIA Novosti.
He also said that a City Duma committee would choose the date at a meeting on Monday. However, he added that “Thursday is a convenient date for an extraordinary session.”

Medvedev proposed Sobyanin on Friday as the Russian capital's new mayor.

Medvedev sacked long-serving mayor Yury Luzhkov on September 28, citing a "loss of trust." State media had previously accused him and his businesswoman wife of massive corruption.

Analysts say there is little doubt that the Moscow Duma will approve 52-year-old Sobyanin, who was head of the presidential administration under first Vladimir Putin and then Medvedev from 2005-2008 and ran Medvedev's presidential election campaign in 2008.

Direct elections for Moscow mayor and governors across Russia were scrapped in 2004.

MOSCOW, October 17 (RIA Novosti)

Gates: No sensitive info in Wikileaks Afghan papers

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates walks off his plane at Al-Assad Air Base in Iraq September 1, 2010, on a surprise visit as the the U.S. Army officially ends its combat mission in Iraq. Photo : Reuters/Jim Watson/Pool

October 17, 2010 (KATAKAMI / Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the unauthorized release of some 70,000 classified documents about the Afghanistan war did not reveal sensitive information, but could endanger Afghans who helped the United States, U.S. media reported Sunday.

Gates made his assessment in an August 16 letter to Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, after the website Wikileaks released the documents in July. The New York Times and CNN both were given access to the letter.

"The initial assessment in no way discounts the risk to national security," Gates wrote. "However, the review to date has not revealed any sensitive intelligence sources and methods compromised by the disclosure."
Gates also said disclosing the names of cooperating Afghans, who could become targets for the Taliban, could cause "significant harm or damage to national security interests of the United States."

Wikileaks, which says it is a non-profit organization funded by human rights campaigners, journalists and the general public, came under intense criticism for releasing the Afghan war papers.

Moscow Duma to discuss date of voting on Sobyanin’s candidacy for mayor on Oct.18

Sergei Sobyanin

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI/ RIA NOVOSTI) — The Moscow City Duma will discuss on Monday the date of voting on the candidacy of Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin for the post of Moscow’s new mayor, the Duma speaker said on Saturday.

“We have received all the necessary documents [on Sobyanin's candidacy],” Vladimir Platonov said.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday proposed Sobyanin as the Russian capital’s new mayor.

Medvedev sacked long-serving mayor Yury Luzhkov on September 28, citing a “loss of trust.”

State media had previously accused him and his businesswoman wife of massive corruption.

Analysts say there is little doubt that the Moscow Duma will approve 52-year-old Sobyanin, who was head of the presidential administration under first Putin and then Medvedev from 2005-2008 and ran Medvedev’s presidential election campaign in 2008.

Direct elections for Moscow mayor and governors across Russia were scrapped in 2004.

MOSCOW, October 16 (RIA Novosti)

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera arrives in UK

Chile's President Sebastian Pinera poses with the 33 rescued miners inside Copiapo Hospital, where the miners are undergoing full medical examinations October 14, 2010. Chile's 33 newly rescued miners recovered from their ordeal on Thursday while also pondering the celebrity status they have gained following a more than two-month entrapment deep under a remote desert. From L-R: (seated) Raul Bustos, Omar Reygadas, Esteban Rojas, Samuel Avalos, Daniel Herrera, Juan Carlos Aguilar, President Pinera, Pedro Cortez, Carlos Barrios, Carlos Bugueno, Carlos Mamani, Alex Vega, Claudia Llanez, Jose Henriquez and Osman Araya; (standing) Victor Zamora, Pablo Rojas, Luis Urzua, Victor Segovia, Mario Gomez, Johnny Barrios, Mario Sepulveda, Jorge Galleguillos, Juan Illanes, Claudio Acuna, Jimmy Sanchez, Ariel Ticona, Dario Segovia, Jose Ojeda, Richard Villarroel, Franklin Lobos (hidden), Renan Avalos, Florencio Avalos and Edison Pena. (Getty Images / REUTERS/Jose Manuel de la Maza/Chilean Presidency/Handout

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / BBC) — Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera has arrived in the UK ahead of a European tour, as his country basks in the rescue of 33 trapped miners.

Mr Pinera brought fragments of rock from the San Jose mine as presents for Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen.

The billionaire president is due to visit Churchill’s War Rooms in London and hold talks with Mr Cameron.
The rescue of the miners after 69 days has made headlines worldwide.

Thirty-one of the miners have now been released from hospital, with the remaining two being transferred to other hospitals.

One is suffering from a dental infection and the second is suffering from vertigo symptoms.

Mr Pinera, 60, said Churchill’s “blood, toil, tears and sweat” speech had provided inspiration to him during the battle to save the miners.

He also said he ignored political advice to steer clear of the rescue effort.

“Many people thought the rescue was impossible and advised me not to get involved, to keep my distance,” he said.

“I decided to take full responsibility without any political consideration… We made a commitment to look for the miners as if they were our sons.”

Like Mr Cameron, Mr Pinera was only elected this year, and his visit to London is thought to have been planned many months ago.

He is thought to be hoping to persuade more British companies, including mining corporations, to invest in Chile.

Mr Pinera, who greeted the miners with a hug after their rescue, told The Times: “Chile will now be remembered and recognised not for Pinochet but as an example of unity, leadership, courage, faith and success.”

He also told the newspaper he had a “very strong admiration” for Mr Cameron.

Mr Pinera flew in to London’s Heathrow Airport and, after sightseeing in London on Sunday, will meet Mr Cameron and have an audience with the Queen, who has extended an invitation at the last minute following the mine rescue.
 
He is visiting France and Germany later this week.

Mr Pinera revealed that his father-in-law died only hours before the miners were rescued and he had told the president: “Don’t give up. Keep working to rescue the miners.”

Photos : Russian President Dmitry Medvedev & First Lady Svetlana Medvedeva participated in the population census

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana Medvedeva, left, participate in the All-Russian population census in the Gorki residence outside Moscow, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. President Medvedev and his wife Svetlana invited a census taker to their suburban residence to fill in the census questionnaire. Russia on Thursday launched a two-week population census _ its first since 2002 and second in its post-Soviet history. (GETTY IMAGES / AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service, pool)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana Medvedeva, left, participate in the All-Russian population census in the Gorki residence outside Moscow, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. President Medvedev and his wife Svetlana invited a census taker to their suburban residence to fill in the census questionnaire. Russia on Thursday launched a two-week population census _ its first since 2002 and second in its post-Soviet history. (TWITPIC)

Pope meets President of Poland on anniversary of the election of John Paul II

Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski during a private audience at the Vatican on October 16, 2010. (Photo : PIER PAOLO CITO/AFP/Getty Images)

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / VATICAN RADIO) — Pope Benedict today received the President of Poland in private audience here at the Vatican. The meeting came on the 32nd anniversary of the election of the Polish born Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wotjtyla w as the successor of Peter.

A statement released by the Vatican Press office noted the “happy coincidence” of the visit on this anniversary and went on to say that both the Pope and President focused on the importance of dialogue between Church and State, in order to promote the common good.”

They also “reiterated their common desire” to see both Poland and the Holy See ” continuing to work effectively in areas of common interest, such as in education and promoting the fundamental values of society, and stressing the importance of protecting human life in all its phases. “

Finally, according to the statement there was “an exchange of views on the current situation in Europe.”
After the private talks there was an exchange of gifts in a more informal atmosphere.

President Komorowski gave the Pope a facsimile manuscript of the music of Frédéric Chopin, whose bicentenary is being celebrated this year.

The Pope in return gave the President a medal of his pontificate.

Before the meeting with the Holy Father, President Komorowski participated on Saturday morning at a Mass celebrated in the Vatican Grottoes, at the tomb of John Paul II.

After the Mass, the head of state and his wife knelt in prayer before the tomb of the Polish Pope and laid a bouquet of white and red flowers, the colours of Poland

Photo : Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla visits Al Aqsa Mosque

Former Indonesian Vice President / The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) chairman Jusuf Kalla sightseeing Marwani Mosque, which is located on the lower side of the Al Aqsa Mosque Complex in Jerusalem, Palestine, on Friday. Jusuf visited Palestine to attend an annual meeting with the Palestinian Red Crescent. Antara / The Jakarta Post

Indonesia, Russia agree to step up ties

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa arrive for talks in Moscow October 15, 2010. ( GETTY IMAGES / REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov )

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / THE JAKARTA POST) — Indonesia and Russia have agreed to use the momentum of the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties to take their cooperation to a higher level, an Indonesian embassy official in Moscow said.

The Embassy’s Counselor for Social and Cultural Affairs M. Aji Surya, said in a press statement made available to Antara in London that the agreement to step up bilateral cooperation was reached in a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov in Moscow on Friday.

Aji Surya said the two foreign ministers agreed to focus on more substantial matters in taking their bilateral relations to a higher level.

He said the two countries agreed to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, natural disaster management and air transportation sector.

The meeting also specifically discussed the possibility of opening a direct Indonesia-Russia flight route to be served by Garuda Indonesia, he said.

“The agreement on the air transportation cooperation is expected to be signed during the 17th ASEAN summit in Hanoi next week,” Aji Surya said.

According to the Indonesian counselor, the foreign minister underscored the importance of implementing the relations in all segments, not only in the government-to-government segment but also in the business sector and in the relations of peoples of both nations.

In the meantime, according to Aji Surya, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V Lavrov expressed his commitment to facilitating the opening of an Indonesian consulate general in Russia in an effort to boost both countries’ economic and trade ties.

President Obama’s Weekly Address: GOP Rewarding Corporations that Create Jobs Overseas

The President lays out his agenda to foster investment here at home. He vows to close the tax loopholes for sending jobs and profits overseas that Congressional Republicans have tried to protect. (White House Photo, Lawrence Jackson, 10/15/10 )

WACTH THE VIDEO

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI  / WHITE HOUSE.GOV )  After a decade of hardship for middle class families, and a recession that wiped away millions of jobs, we are in the middle of a tough fight to rebuild this economy and put folks back to work.

Winning this fight will not depend on government alone.  It will depend on the innovation of American entrepreneurs; on the drive of American small business owners; on the skills and talents of American workers.  These are the people who will help us grow our economy and create jobs.

But government still has an important responsibility.  And that’s to create an environment in which someone can raise capital to start a new company; where a business can get a loan to expand; where ingenuity is prized and folks are rewarded for their hard work.

That’s why I fought so hard to pass a jobs bill to cut taxes and make more loans available for entrepreneurs.  It eliminated the capital gains taxes for key investments in small businesses.  It increased the deduction to defray the costs of starting a company.  And it’s freeing up credit for folks who need it.  In fact, in just the first two weeks since I signed the bill, thousands of business owners have been able to get new loans through the SBA.

But we need to do more.  So I’ve proposed additional steps to grow the economy and spur hiring by businesses across America.  Now, one of the keys to job creation is to encourage companies to invest more in the United States.  But for years, our tax code has actually given billions of dollars in tax breaks that encourage companies to create jobs and profits in other countries.

I want to close these tax loopholes.  Instead, I want to give every business in America a tax break so they can write off the cost of all new equipment they buy next year.  That’s going to make it easier for folks to expand and hire new people.  I want to make the research and experimentation tax credit permanent.  Because promoting new ideas and technologies is how we’ll create jobs and retain our edge as the world’s engine of discovery and innovation. And I want to provide a tax cut for clean energy manufacturing right here in America.  Because that’s how we’ll lead the world in this growing industry.

These are commonsense ideas.  When more things are made in America, more families make it in America; more jobs are created in America; more businesses thrive in America.  But Republicans in Washington have consistently fought to keep these corporate loopholes open.  Over the last four years alone, Republicans in the House voted 11 times to continue rewarding corporations that create jobs and profits overseas – a policy that costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year.

That doesn’t make a lot sense.  It doesn’t make sense for American workers, American businesses, or America’s economy.  A lot of companies that do business internationally make an important contribution to our economy here at home.  That’s a good thing.  But there is no reason why our tax code should actively reward them for creating jobs overseas.  Instead, we should be using our tax dollars to reward companies that create jobs and businesses within our borders.

We should give tax breaks to American small businesses and manufacturers.  We should reward the people who are helping us lead in the industries of the future, like clean energy.  That’s how we’ll ensure that American innovation and ingenuity are what drive the next century. That’s how we’ll put our people back to work and lead the global economy.  And that’s what I’ll be fighting for in the coming months.

Thank you.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera heads for UK

President Pinera (left) is on the crest of a wave after the miners were rescued

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / BBC) — Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera is due to arrive in the UK ahead of European tour, riding on the crest of a wave after the rescue of the 33 miners.

Mr Pinera will be bringing fragments of rock from the San Jose mine as presents for Prime Minister David Cameron and the Queen.

The billionaire president is due to visit Churchill’s War Rooms in London and have talks with Mr Cameron.

The rescue of the miners after 69 days has made headlines worldwide. 

Thirty-one of the miners have now been released from hospital, with the remaining two being transferred to other hospitals.

One is suffering from a dental infection and the second is suffering from the symptoms of vertigo.
Mr Pinera, 60, said Churchill’s “blood, toil, tears and sweat” speech had provided inspiration to him during the battle to save the miners.

He also said he ignored political advice to steer clear of the rescue effort: “Many people thought the rescue was impossible and advised me not to get involved, to keep my distance.
“I decided to take full responsibility without any political consideration… We made a commitment to look for the miners as if they were our sons.”

Like Mr Cameron, Mr Pinera was only elected this year, and his visit to London is thought to have been planned many months ago.

He is thought to be hoping to persuade more British companies, including mining corporations, to invest in Chile.

Mr Pinera, who greeted the miners with a hug after their rescue, told The Times: “Chile will now be remembered and recognised not for Pinochet but as an example of unity, leadership, courage, faith and success.”

He also told the newspaper he had a “very strong admiration” for Mr Cameron.

Mr Pinera will arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport later and, after sightseeing in London on Sunday, he will meet Mr Cameron and have an audience with the Queen, who has extended an invitation at the last minute following the mine rescue.

He is visiting France and Germany later this week.

Mr Pinera revealed that his father-in-law died only hours before the miners were rescued and he had told the president: “Don’t give up. Keep working to rescue the miners.”

Chile's President Gives The Queen Mine Rock

Chile's President Pinera met with the miners in hospital

October 16, 2010(KATAKAMI/ SKY NEWS) — Fresh from greeting the 33 rescued miners, Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera flies to the UK today for talks with David Cameron.

Mr Pinera told The Times newspaper he is bringing gifts of rock from the mine where the men were trapped for the Prime Minister and the Queen.

The 33 workers were all safely rescued from the San Jose mine this week and all but two have since been discharged from hospital.

The president, who was elected earlier this year, captured the world’s attention as he stood in a pit helmet ready to greet each man with a hug as they emerged.

The 60-year-old leader told The Times he was inspired by Winston Churchill’s phrase of “Blood, toil, tears and sweat” during the desperate wait for the miners’ rescue.

“Many people thought the rescue was impossible and advised me not to get involved, to keep my distance,” he said.

“I decided to take full responsibility without any political consideration… We made a commitment to look for the miners as if they were our sons.”

However, Mr Pinera’s visit to the UK comes amid news of a worker’s death at a gold mine in Petorca.
Benitez Roberto Fernandez, 26, was killed when he was hit by falling rocks.

It is the second fatal case in the region in 10 days.

Mr Pinera has vowed to improve working conditions across the nation in the wake of the rescue of the San Jose miners.

The president arrives at London’s Heathrow Airport on Saturday afternoon and will visit the British Museum and Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms on Sunday.

On Monday he will meet Mr Cameron at Downing Street before having an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The Harvard-educated businessman-turned-politician told The Times he hoped Chile’s international standing had been boosted by the recent rescue effort.

He aslo hoped British entrepreneurs would now invest more in his country.

“Chile will now be remembered and recognised not for Pinochet but as an example of unity, leadership, courage, faith and success,” he said.

Mr Pinera added he believed God’s help was “absolutely essential” in the successful rescue.

He described Chile and the UK as having a “real community of values” and said he hoped to forge a relationship with Mr Cameron, for whom he expressed “a very strong admiration”.

Speaking of the visit, he told The Times: “For us it’s a great honour. I am bringing with me a gift of pieces of rock taken from the depth of the mine and will give one to the Prime Minister and one to the Queen.”
Mr Pinera will also give a lecture at the London School of Economics before visiting France and Germany.

Saturday is World Food Day

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador, Indonesian singer Anggun, takes place for the celebrations of World Food Day on October 15, 2010 at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The World Food Day takes as its theme this year 'United Against Hunger.' (Photo : ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / VOA) — Jacques Diouf , the head of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, says nearly one billion people live in chronic hunger and malnutrition.
Marking World Food Day Friday at FAO headquarters in Rome, Diouf said food production needs to increase by 70 percent to meet the needs of the hungry.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said it is unacceptable that countless people die from hunger and related diseases in a time of prosperity and unprecedented advances in science and agriculture technology.
A recent report by the FAO say 22 countries are facing long-standing hunger.

In its annual report for 2010, the FAO said aid to those countries needs to be reoriented towards longer-term solutions aimed at improving food production capacity.

Also on Friday, FAO chief Diouf announced the the deadly cattle plague, rinderpest, is showing signs that the disease will be completely eradicated by mid-2011.

He said “rinderpest affected Africa, Asia and Europe for millennia,” causing widespread famine and decimating millions of domestic and wild animals.

Australia's first saint Mary Mackillop to be canonised

Workers hang a tapestry featuring the portrait of new saint Mary MacKillop on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square on October 16, 2010 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI will name blessed sister Mary MacKillop known also as Mary of the Cross, as Australian first Saint in a Canonisation ceremony in St. Peter's square on next Sunday. (Photo by Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images) 

October 16, 2010 (KATAKAMI / BBC) –  Australia’s first saint – a 19th-century nun who was briefly excommunicated is to receive official recognition.

Pope Benedict will canonise Mary Mackillop in a service at the Vatican in Rome.

Her work for the Church was sometimes controversial and in 1871 she was excommunicated for insubordination.

The Church exonerated her three years later and she was eventually put on the road to sainthood by Pope John Paul II, who beatified her in 1995.