China

An inter-Korean meeting in Kaesong seeks to prevent incidents similar to the one of 6 September that caused the death of six South Koreans. In Seoul, government sources say the North's remarks are a “considerably positive signal”. For Beijing, recent North Korean missile tests will “not affect” thawing relations on the Korean Peninsula even if they violate UN resolutions.

Russia and China sign deals worth US$ 3.5 billion, agree to develop jointly Central Asian energy resources. Washington forced to look on, silent, as the Taliban extend hand to SCO.

Enemies during the Second World War, the two nations are now planning the future together: an underwater tunnel, a common history book, Emperor Akihito’s visit to Seoul, etc., moving towards an East Asian Community.

In the eight years of the international military operation, money, troops and even the hope of the population have been consumed. As the UN and NATO flounders, Russia and China seek "dialogue" with the Taliban. At the expense of the Afghans.

At the centre of the meetings family reunification programs and dams along the border, the cause of accidents and tensions between the two Koreas. Yesterday, the North tested five short range missiles, more launches scheduled for today. A test of strength to gain more weight at the negotiating table.

What is rising for the population is the rate of inflation instaed. Migrant workers, laid off in their tens of millions last year, are now being re-hired at lower salaries. By contrast, the government stimulus package has led to the doubling of the number of billionaires.

Benedict XVI will visit 23 years after the historic visit of John Paul II. It is not the current Pope’s first visit to a Jewish temple: in 2005 in Cologne he condemned anti-Semitism and called for dialogue between Jews and Christians to "arrive at a shared interpretation of disputed historical questions."

The writing deemed "dangerous" criticized "the one party dictatorship" and was by Liu Xiaoqi. The campaign against the slogans on t-shirts long before the Olympics last year. Victims also members of Charter 08.

The prisoners held responsible for murder and other crimes during the protests last July. The authorities evidently wish to close criminal investigations immediately and with exemplary sentences: in less than a month the death sentence is handed down.

According to the former political leader, who is under house arrest, Taiwan is a democracy. Unlike mainland China where the one party state rules, the island has the means to fight corruption and put corrupt government officials on trial. Quoting Mao Zedong, he says that reunification can occur only based on Taiwan’s democratic model.

Russian PM Putin arrives in Beijing for two days of meetings with Chinese leaders. Agreements on energy and trade are expected, but talks will also touch international politics, Iran, North Korea and the global financial crisis.

Benedict XVI canonised a missionary “apostle of lepers”, also died of leprosy, a Polish bishop who suffered exile, a Cistercian oblate, from a wealthy family, who died aged 26, a tireless Dominican preacher to the people, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who cared for the abandoned elderly. All of them gave their lives "without calculation or human profit, with unreserved confidence in God." During the Angelus from in front of the Basilica, a salute to the survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks.