Rescue order of the men pulled from the San Jose mine in Chile, with some details on each: 1. 12:04 a.m. — Florencio Avalos, 31, the second-in-command of the miners, chosen to be first because he was in the best condition. 2. 1:10 a.m. — Mario Sepulveda Espina, 40, who captivated Chileans with his engaging personality in videos sent up from underground. 3. 2:08 a.m. — Juan Illanes, 52, a married former soldier who urged his fellow miners to be disciplined and organized while trapped. 4. 3:09 a.m. — Carlos Mamani, 24, the lone Bolivian, started at the mine five days before the collapse. One of 11 children who emigrated because he could find work, he has been promised a house and a job from Bolivian President Evo Morales. 5. 4:10 a.m. — Jimmy Sanchez, at 19, the youngest miner and father of a months-old baby. 6. 5:34 a.m. — Osman Isidro Araya, 30, the father of three, had planned to quit the mine at the end of August because of the risk. 7. 6:21 a.m. — Jose Ojeda, 47, a widower with no children who has diabetes. Two of his nephews were on hand at the site to greet him. 8. 7:02 a.m. — Claudio Yanez, 34, a drill operator who requested cigarettes be sent down while awaiting rescue and expressed disgust at the nicotine patches he received instead. 9. 7:59 a.m. — Mario Gomez, at 63 is the oldest of the miners. He also is the most experienced, having first entered a mine shaft to work at the age of 12. 10. 8:52 a.m. — Alex Vega, 31, who is married with two children, had been saving to buy a house and move out of his parents' home. His father helped in rescue efforts — using a false name because officials prohibited relatives from doing the dangerous work. 11. 9:31 a.m. — Jorge Galleguillos, 55, was injured in at least two earlier mining accidents. He has 13 brothers and requires medication for hypertension. Officials have promised to help his son, who is a university student. 12. 10:11 a.m. — Edison Pena, who is 34 and married, was reportedly among the most depressed of the trapped men and asked rescuers to send down a photo of the sun. He tried to run everyday underground for exercise.
II. WASHINGTONPOST - Al-Qaeda affiliate calls for D.C. attacks
Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen urges followers to strike U.S. targets, including restaurants in Washington, in a new edition of an English-language publication that the group posts online. In a section that suggests ideas for attacks inside the United States, the publication says that using firearms to carry out "a random hit at a crowded restaurant in Washington D.C. at lunch hour for example might end up knocking out a few government employees" and attracting widespread news media attention. U.S. counterterrorism officials said they were taking the threat seriously. In the second edition of its publication, which it calls "Inspire," the al-Qaeda affiliate cautions American Muslims against traveling abroad to join jihadist groups and mentions the arrest of five Virginia residents in Pakistan last year. "Therefore we strongly encourage our brothers to fight jihad on U.S. soil," said an article titled "Tips for our brothers in the United States". Another article, under the headline "The Ultimate Mowing Machine," proposes attaching a steel blade to the front of a four-wheel-drive truck and using the vehicle to strike pedestrians in a crowd.
III. JPOST - Greece and Israel carry out joint air force drills
Greece and Israel are carrying out their first joint military exercise since Greece suspended a drill in May after Israeli forces killed nine people on an aid convoy to Gaza. The Greek air force says eight Israeli helicopters are taking part in the combat search-and-rescue exercise in southern Greece. Greece is participating with three helicopters and six fighter jets. The four-day exercise ends Thursday. Athens strongly condemned the Israeli raid on the aid convoy, which included two Greek ships and was trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. But relations quickly improved, with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visiting Israel in July, and a reciprocal visit to Greece in August by Benjamin Netanyahu.
IV. B92 - Days of Israeli Culture in Belgrade
A three-day festival of Israeli culture opened in the Belgrade municipality of Voždovac on Tuesday night. The opening saw performances from Belgrade's Braća Baruh Choir and Israeli folk dance company Nahar HaEsh. The event was opened by Israeli Ambassador to Serbia Arthur Koll and Voždovac Municipal President Dragan Vukanić, who said that the Serb and the Israeli people have a history of friendly relations, the municipal press office said in a statement. Vukanić pointed out that the festival should help renew the brotherhood and close ties between the two peoples. Thanking the hosts for the warm welcome, Ambassador Koll said that Serbs and Jews in Serbia have lived in peace for centuries and that the Jewish community did not always get the same treatment in other European countries. "During World War II, between 80 and 90 percent of the Jews in Belgrade and Serbia did not live to see the end of the war, but it was thanks to Serbs that some of them did. Serbs hid them in villages and mountains, and many Jews joined the Partisan movement," the Israeli ambassador said.
V. FINANCIALMIRROR - Partition of Cyprus not an option for Europe
The European Parliament and the EU strongly support the efforts towards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem which will re-unify the island to the benefit of all its people, the President of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek said today addressing the House of Representatives of Cyprus. “For Europe”, he said, “no-solution or a partition is not an option”. Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and the occupation of the northern part of the island. UN-led negotiations begun in 2008 between the President of the Republic and Turkish Cypriot leader in an effort to reach a comprehensive solution to the problem. The settlement of the Cyprus issue, said Buzek, will bring greater stability and prosperity to the whole Eastern Mediterranean, adding that it will also have far-reaching implications for the whole of the European Union and the Middle East. Referring to Cyprus’ historic geopolitical role he said that throughout history, Cyprus has served as an important bridge between East and West, North and South, a crossroad which is a crucial link, connecting three continents. We have not forgotten, he said, the central role your island played during the 2006 conflict in Lebanon. A durable settlement would go a long way to strengthen EU-NATO relations, he noted, adding that with NATO about to unveil its new Strategic Concept, the timing would be ideal. He expressed the hope that Turkey will actively support reunification negotiations and contribute in concrete terms to a lasting settlement of the Cyprus issue, which as he said, would be in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and the principles on which the EU is founded. “A solution to the Cyprus problem is within your reach”, he said, noting that “if any settlement between the two communities is to pass the test of time then it must be functional and it must be viable”. Buzek also expressed the view of how important it is for a unified Cyprus to bring together not only land, public institutions and the economy, but also its people, adding that a bi-zonal and bi-communal Federal agreement will only work if Turkish Cypriots are fully integrated within the state’s institutions. Referring the ghost of town of Famagusta, which has been out of bounds within the occupied areas since 1974, he said that in its day, it was one of the wealthiest spots in the eastern Mediterranean and its Varosha quarter counted among the top tourist destinations in Cyprus, if not Europe. “Since 1974”, he said, “Varosha remains abandoned, frozen in time, a ghost town full of empty hotels”, adding that “Famagusta is a symbol of both today's failure and possible future success”, because “it illustrates the immense potential that a unified Cyprus could unlock”. “I am convinced that a lasting solution to the division of this island can, and must be found”, he said and added that the time for blaming is at an end, it is time for Cyprus not to defeat itself. The European Parliament, he added, has strongly supported the efforts of the two sides and the Committee of Missing Persons to find and identify the missing persons from both communities. It was on the initiative of the European Parliament that substantial funds from the Community budget were allocated for this purpose, he pointed out. European Parliament President made special reference to Cyprus role and importance as an EU member since 2004. “In 2012, your country will take over the Presidency of the European Union, you will be in the same troika with Poland and Denmark. I believe this is a historic opportunity to put forward an ambitious agenda for the Union,” he pointed out. He expressed the belief that Cyprus Presidency will be remembered for years – it will have to tackle issues such as re-launching the single market, on implementing the legislation we need to achieve our 2020 strategy. We have to start working to fulfill our commitments in the fight against climate change, but more importantly in 2012 we will be ending discussions regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework. “During your Presidency, Cyprus will play a key role in helping shape the future of Europe for the next decade,” he noted. He expressed the belief that very good cooperation on all levels is developing and Cyprus is becoming genuine partner in the EU legislative process, making European legislation better for the citizens. Finally, Buzek congratulated Cyprus on the Nobel Prize in economics, which was earned by Christopher Pissarides of Cyprus. He also congratulated Cyprus and its people on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, which was celebrated this month and expressed hope that in Cyprus the impossible may become possible.
VI. RIANOVOSTI - Russia, India to hold joint antiterrorism drills
Russia and India will conduct joint antiterrorism exercises on Indian territory on October 15-24, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Russia is sending more than 200 troops from its 34th mountain brigade, based in the North Caucasus, to join the Indian troops in the INDRA 2010 drills. "During the upcoming exercise, the Russian and Indian military personnel will form a joint task force, and plan and carry out a series of mock antiterrorism missions in the mountains," the ministry said in a statement. The Russian troops will be equipped with lightweight Permyachka Infantry Suits, which protect at least 80 percent of the body surface from small-caliber bullets and low-speed shrapnel. The Russian and Indian military have been conducting joint INDRA exercises, including biannual antiterrorism drills, since 2003.
VII. REUTERS - Russian Orthodox Church launches YouTube channel
Russia's Orthodox Church unveiled its own channel on YouTube on Monday to attract young followers to a faith which has grown increasingly powerful since the fall of communism. The Orthodox Church has been endorsed by Russia's leaders as the country's main faith, leading to criticism by rights groups that this undermines Russia's secular constitution, while the country's large Muslim minority say it excludes them. "We are doing this so the word of God, God's wisdom and the divine law comes closer to the life of modern, especially young, people," Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, said in a video address on youtube.com/user/russianchurch. The channel will regularly post short clips of Kirill's appearances on the video-sharing website which will be subtitled in English, German and Japanese, Interfax news agency reported. "Let God's blessing be with all those... who visit the Russian Orthodox Church on YouTube," added Kirill, dressed in a flowing black cloak and a white and gold crowned hat. The Russian patriarch also presides over the biggest branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Church has undergone a revival since the fall of the Soviet Union almost 20 years ago ended decades of communist repression. Interfax said 165,000 users have visited the site over the last three months while it was being created. The trend toward consolidation of the church as a national force has worried Russia's 20 million Muslims -- one seventh of the population -- as well as those who believe church and state should be strictly separated.