End of the Line for Akil Mochtar as Disgraced Court Chief Jailed for Life

Jakarta Globe, Jun 30, 2014

The former chief justice of Constitutional Court Akil Mochtar was jailed on
 June 30 after being found guilty of selling election disputes to the highest
bidder. (EPA Photo/Maliq)

Jakarta. Akil Mochtar’s disgrace was complete late on Monday night after the Jakarta Anti-Corruption Court sentenced the former chief justice of the Constitutional Court to life in prison. Akil was found guilty of having sold off Indonesia’s powerful local government seats to corrupt politicians.

“The defendant has been proved guilty beyond doubt of corruption,” the presiding judge at the court said, reading out the verdict.

Akil was also found guilty of corruption and money laundering during his term as the chief of Constitutional Court between 2010 and 2013. He was arrested at his house in October last year after Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators arrived with a warrant for his arrest. The commission would later say they had tapped his phone to confirm longstanding suspicions that he was taking bribes to issue favorable verdicts in election disputes.

The Constitutional Court is the highest authority in the country in such disputes. Its decisions are binding and complainants have no further recourse once it has ruled. Lawyer Susi Tur Andayani and businessman Tubagus Chaeri Wardana, better known as Wawan, were also brought in by investigators on graft charges. Wawan was caught red-handed, trying to bribe Akil to rule in favor of candidates loyal to his family in the Lebak district of Banten.

It was not long before the case widened to take in Wawan’s sister,  the governor of Banten province, Ratu Atut Chosiyah, a matriarch whose vice-like grip on the province’s finances allegedly extended to rigging just about every public contract for the province — which lies contiguous to both Jakarta and West Java — but did not include working to improve the down-at-heel province’s education system or better the lot of its citizens.

Indonesia’s highly decentralized political framework confers vast budgets and significant powers on provincial and district chiefs.

“The defendant has ruined public trust in the Constitutional Court, and it will take quite some time to revive it,” KPK prosecutor Pulung previously said in court, while Indonesia Corruption Watch said at the time of Akil’s arrest that the case was “a disaster for law enforcement in Indonesia.” ICW went on to accuse Atut of conducting graft on an industrial scale in Banten — again and again awarding tenders to companies owned by her and her family.

Several other cases against Akil have since come to light — including district seats in Central Kalimantan and the mayoralty of Palembang — and the disgraced former judge may face further charges as investigators work their way through a backlog of similar complaints.

Akil — who recently conceded he was “no angel” — was defiant prior to the ruling, insisting he would file an appeal “to heaven” if necessary.

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Top Judge’s Arrest Rattles Justice System

The Constitutional Court, once seen as squeaky clean, has been rocked

 by the arrest of its chief justice, Akil Mochtar, for bribery. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Former military leader expelled from CPC for graft

English.news.cn, 2014-06-30

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Xu Caihou, former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and his case handed over to prosecutors, announced the CPC Central Committee on Monday.

The decision was made earlier in the day at a meeting of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, presided over by President Xi Jinping.

Investigation found that Xu took advantage of his post to assist the promotion of other people and accepted bribes personally and through his family members, said the statement issued after the meeting.

He was also found to have sought profits for others in exchange for money and properties, taken through his family members.

"His case is serious and leaves a vile impact," the statement said.

Xu had been under investigation for disciplinary violations from March 15 and his case has now been handed over to the military procuratorate.

Born in 1943, Xu was CMC vice chairman from 2004 to 2012 and was granted the military rank of General in 1999.

The investigation into him displayed firm resolve and zero tolerance of corruption in the Party and armed forces, according to the statement.

"The whole party and armed forces should be fully aware of the time-consuming, complicated and tough mission to fight corruption," it said.

"Anyone, no matter what authority and office he holds, will receive serious punishment if violating Party disciplines and laws. We will never compromise nor show mercy."

To carry out the CPC's political decisions, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) should follow a high and strict standard in terms of discipline, the statement said, vowing, "The Party will not harbor corrupt members nor will the armed forces."

For the Party and people, the PLA must always be trustworthy, the statement warned. The CPC leadership urged the armed forces to educate officers and soldiers to carry on good traditions, and maintain firm political status and high moral standards.

Party organs of all levels are asked to educate, manage and supervise their officials, especially senior ones, so that anti-corruption campaigns will continue making progress.

Officials should uphold socialist values, establish a correct perspective about power, fame and gain as well as resist temptations, the statement urged.

Editor: An

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Senior Australian bishop charged with child sex abuse

The West Australian – AFP, June 30, 2014

Senior Australian bishop charged with child sex abuse (AFP)

Sydney (AFP) - One of the most senior members of the Catholic Church in Australia has stepped down from his role after being charged with child sex abuse, the Church said on Monday.

Max Davis, who heads the church's military diocese, is reportedly Australia's most senior clergyman and the first Australian Catholic bishop to be charged with a child sex offence.

It is alleged he sexually abused a student while teaching at St Benedict's College near Perth in 1969 -- two years before he was ordained.

No further details were provided by police.

The Catholic Military Ordinariate of Australia said in a statement that Davis, 68, "emphatically denies" the charge.

"An allegation has been made to the police that in 1969 Bishop Max Davis abused a student at St. Benedict's College in New Norcia," the statement said.

"At that time -- 45 years ago -- the bishop was not ordained. The bishop emphatically denies the allegation and the charge will be defended."

The Australian Defence Force said Davis had stood aside from his position while the matter was dealt with by the courts.

"Defence is aware civilian police have laid charges against Bishop Max Davis," a spokeswoman said.

"Bishop Davis has stood aside from his office as Catholic bishop of the ADF and Catholic member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services.

"It would be inappropriate for Defence to comment further while this matter is subject to judicial proceedings."

The charge comes with a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse underway in Australia after growing pressure to investigate widespread allegations of paedophilia, mostly in the Catholic Church.

Its hearings are covering harrowing allegations of child abuse involving places of worship, orphanages, community groups and schools.

The military is separately conducting its own national inquiry into abuse after the service was rocked by claims of rape and sexual assault, a culture of cover-ups and a failure to punish perpetrators.

Davis, who has been the top military bishop since 2003, is expected to appear in court in July.

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Singapore gay rally draws thousands amid controversy

BBC News, 28 June 2014

Pink Dot organisers said the rally drew around 26,000 participants

Related Stories

• Gay laws challenged in Singapore Watch
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An annual gay rally in Singapore has drawn thousands amid an unprecedented backlash from religious groups.

Pink Dot has been held every year since 2009. Attendees wear pink clothing and sit down for a mass picnic that ends with the forming of a pink dot.

But this year it falls on the eve of Ramadan, prompting an Islamic teacher to start a Wear White campaign against homosexuality, which has been supported by a Christian organisation.

Gay sex is illegal in Singapore.

Government leaders, as well as national organisations representing mosques and churches, have in recent weeks called on both religious and gay rights groups to act with restraint.

The Pink Dot rally proceeded peacefully on Saturday evening with no sign of anti-gay campaigners. Organisers said 26,000 people attended the event.

Wear White issued a statement saying it discouraged supporters from attending Pink Dot, as "it should be an event that no Muslim is associated with".

Some chose to go online instead to protest at the event.

About 4,000 people so far have taken part in a virtual rally called FamFestSG. Its Facebook page carries a quote from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that defines the term family as "one man one woman marrying, having children".

The backlash has reignited the issue of gay rights in the largely conservative city-state.

In recent years, there have been two legal attempts to declare that the law banning gay sex is unconstitutional.

Singapore's government has said in the past that while it will retain the law to reflect mainstream society's stand on the issue, it will not be actively enforced.

Some attendees turned up for the Pink Dot rally and mass picnic in
colourful costumes

The Pink Dot rally featured an area where attendees could write questions
and answers on gay issues

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"The Akashic Circle" – Jul 17, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: Religion, The Humanization of God, Benevolent Design, DNA, Akashic Circle, (Old) Souls, Gaia, Indigenous People, Talents, Reincarnation, Genders, Gender Switches, In “between” Gender Change, Gender Confusion, Shift of Human Consciousness, Global Unity,..... etc.)  - (Text version)

“… Gender Switching

Old souls, let me tell you something. If you are old enough, and many of you are, you have been everything. Do you hear me? All of you. You have been both genders. All of you have been what I will call between genders, and that means that all of you have had gender switches. Do you know what happens when it's time for you to switch a gender? We have discussed it before. You'll have dozens of lifetimes as the same gender. You're used to it. It's comfortable. You cannot conceive of being anything else, yet now it's time to change. It takes approximately three lifetimes for you to get used to it, and in those three lifetimes, you will have what I call "gender confusion."

It isn't confusion at all. It's absolutely normal, yet society often will see it as abnormal. I'm sitting here telling you you've all been through it. All of you. That's what old souls do. It's part of the system. …”

Relationship between China and S Korea warming

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2014-06-29

Xi Jinping and Park Geun-hye meet in the Great Hall of the People,
Beijing, June 27, 2013. (photo/CNS)

While China's relationship with North Korea has become rather ambiguous, the country's relationship with South Korea is warming, reports our Chinese language sister newspaper China Times.

On June 27, South Korea and China announced that Chinese president Xi Jinping will visit South China July 3-4. Breaking with tradition, Xi will not visit North Korea first, but instead arrive directly in South Korea.

A poll jointly conducted by the English-language Korea Joongang Daily and the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in May, projected that up to 48% of South Koreans support the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement, and that 41.6 % believe it is mutually beneficial.

The poll projected that 62.0% of South Koreans believe that the relationship between China and South Korea has improved since Park Geun-hye assumed office, and 70.8% believe that the ties between the two countries will become closer.

Anti-Chinese sentiment has decreased significantly amongst those polled. Fifty-four percent of South Koreans regard the relationship between China and South Korea as cooperative, while only 33.4% regard it as competitive.

A majority–61.8%–of those polled believe China is a trustworthy country, and Xi Jinping is considered as a favorable leader of a neighboring country by 35.4% of those polled, just behind Barack Obama's at 56.9%.

This suggests that public opinion towards China in South Korea's has shifted to a more cordial attitude. The South Korean public are projected to trust China much more than the US, with 81% of South Koreans polled supporting security cooperation with China.

In terms of the specific issues of cooperation with China, 37.2% of South Koreans polled chose North Korean nuclear proliferation. Regarding the high-level official meeting to take place at the beginning of July, 34.3% of those polled consider China to be more influential, 33.7% picked South Korea, and just 22.5% chose the US.

The perceived importance of inter-Korean cooperation for reunification dropped to 20.6% in the table on the list of issues on which South Korea and China should cooperate.

In response to Xi's unprecedented direct flight to South Korea, North Korea sent Ma Won-chun, director of the National Defense Commission's design department, to visit Beijing on June 10. It is speculated that Ma's visit is to discuss the relationship between China and North Korea after Xi's visit to South Korea.

The Seoul-based Chosun Ilbo reported that Ma led an unofficial delegation of 21 people composed of officials from the Bureau of Design and the Commission for National Defense to visit Beijing Polytechonic for "an inspection."

Ma is a high-level officer with several posts–he is also the deputy general director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and a deputy minister of the Ministry of Finance–which led to speculation that this was more than just an inspection.

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A Summary" – Apr 2, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Religion, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Intelligent/Benevolent Design, EU, South America, 5 Currencies, Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Middle East, Internet, Israel, Dictators, Palestine, US, Japan (Quake/Tsunami Disasters , People, Society ...), Nuclear Power Revealed, Hydro Power, Geothermal Power, Moon, Financial Institutes (Recession, Realign integrity values ..) , China, North Korea, Global Unity,..... etc.) - (Text version)

“….. Here is the prediction: China will turn North Korea loose soon. The alliance will dissolve, or become stale. There will be political upheaval in China. Not a coup and not a revolution. Within the inner circles of that which you call Chinese politics, there will be a re-evaluation of goals and monetary policy. Eventually, you will see a break with North Korea, allowing still another dictator to fall and unification to occur with the south. ….”

Chinese emissary faces cold shoulder in Taiwan

China's first ministerial envoy to visit Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war was given a luke-warm welcome. Some protesters pelted his motorcade with paint.

Deutsche Welle, 28 June 2014

Protesters succeeded in disrupting the visit of Zhang Zhijun, China's Taiwan Affairs Minister, on Saturday after throwing paint at his motorcade the previous evening. Zhang skipped visits planned for Saturday to a fishing harbor and a village in southern Taiwan. Other stops on his trip continued as planned.

China has considered Taiwan a part of its sovereign territory since the end of the Chinese civil war 65 years ago. Relations between China and the self-governing island of Taiwan improved in 2008 when economic agreements were signed and efforts to improve Taiwan's economy were implemented. Since then, 21 deals have been signed, leading to a sharp increase in two-way trade. China's stance is that Taiwan will eventually be reunited with China.

Not all Taiwanese are in favor of closer ties with Beijing, however, which led to protesters throwing paint at Zhang on Friday. He is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Taiwan since the end of the civil war.

Minor scuffles between Taiwanese in favor of reunification and those against it were reported on Saturday as well, even at sights where Zhang had cancelled his appearance. Some protesters have claimed they were being mistreated by police, which Chen Chu, a senior politician on the opposition Democratic Progressive Party – a party skeptical of closer ties with China – said she would investigate. She also urged restraint from the protesters.

"Throwing paint is not the way Taiwanese treat their guest," she was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. "Taiwanese should be more confident and rationally express their different voices and opinions."

Zhang is scheduled to leave Taiwan later on Saturday.

mz/kms (AP, AFP)

Related Article:

Beijing respects Taiwan's choice of social system: Chinese official

Chinese president: flexing military muscles does not reflect strength

English.news.cn, Fu Peng, 2014-06-28

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at a conference marking the
60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 28, 2014.(Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on countries to uphold common security, saying flexing military muscles only reveals the lack of moral ground or vision rather than reflecting one's strength.

Xi made the remarks in a keynote speech at a commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Stressing that security should be universal, Xi said all countries have the right to participate in international and regional security affairs on an equal footing and shoulder the shared responsibility to maintain security both internationally and in various regions.

"We should champion common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, and respect and ensure every country's security," Xi told a 700-strong audience.

"It is unacceptable to have security just for one country or some countries while leaving the rest insecure, and still less should one be allowed to seek the so-called 'absolute security' of itself at the expense of others' security," he said.

He called on countries to step up cooperation at the global and regional level and jointly counter non-traditional security threats which are on the increase, fight against terrorism of all forms and remove the breeding ground of terrorism.

Disputes and differences between countries should be resolved through dialogue, consultation and peaceful means, Xi said, adding that countries should increase mutual trust, and settle disputes and promote security through dialogue.

"Willful threat or use of force should be rejected," said Xi. "Flexing military muscles only reveals the lack of moral ground or vision rather than reflecting one's strength."

He said security can be solid and enduring only if its is based on moral high ground and vision.

"We should work for a new architecture of Asia-Pacific security cooperation that is open, transparent and equality-based, and bring all countries together in a common endeavor to maintain peace and security in both our region and the world," Xi said.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari participated in the commemoration and delivered speeches.

Also present at the commemoration were Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, top legislator Zhang Dejiang and top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng.

In 1954, leaders of China, India and Myanmar initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which stand for mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Myanmar President U Thein Sein and Indian Vice

President Mohammad Hamid Ansari together with delegates from China, India and

 Myanmar attending a conference marking the 60th anniversary of the Five Principles

 of Peaceful Coexistence pose for a group picture during their meeting in Beijing,

capital of China, June 28, 2014. Xi delivered a keynote speech at the conference at

the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

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"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  8 - The End of War

The last one is the best. For thousands of years on this planet, Human Beings have warred with each other. If you take a look at the reasons they warred with each other, you will quickly see there aren't any good ones - land, resources, greed. Those are not reasons. That is a description of old energy. Those are not reasons. Reasons would be perhaps defense against an aggressor. But what if there is no longer the consciousness of the aggressor?

When I appeared in my partner's life more than 20 years ago, I said to him privately that the first messages we're going to give will be unbelievable. There would be laughter. We told him that Human nature and consciousness itself would change, and that the seeds of peace would be planted and there would come a time where there is no more war. Indeed, the laughter was great because humans look at history and they see patterns based on an absolute energy called Human Nature. "Impossible! There always has to be war. There always has been. Therefore, there always will be." This is you, in a box, in a black and white potential, where you can only see the black and white of what is and the black and white of what has been. You have no idea the shades of color that are there in your consciousness and the beauty of the love of God.

North Korea is on the edge of change, as we told you it might be. What did this require? The death of the old energy, and I want you to watch this take place. The advisors of the young leader are going to do their best to pull him back into an old energy. This free choice of his will be far different than his father, for he sees some color. Watch for these things. They'll take longer than you want, but it is the beginning of the beginning.

You'll see a fresh unification of South America sooner than not, for what is going to take place potentially this year in Venezuela. You'll see Iran changing. We have no clock. These are the potentials. These can change with free choice. These are not prophecies. This is a reality shift, dear ones, so number eight becomes the propensity not to war again. This is what Humans are going to want. This is what governments are going to want. There is a wisdom factor that will begin to happen on the planet that is grander than what you think is possible. For when you look at government, what do you think about? You see dysfunction, and there is an axiom that says the more people that try to do something together, the worse it gets. It all settles to the lowest common denominator. I'm telling you even those things are going to become old energy concepts. Instead, you're going to watch wisdom become the top potential.

I have no clock. I cannot tell you when. I can just tell you it is in the works, and there will be the seeds of it for you to observe soon - right now, in every single of the eight categories I showed you.

There are those who will say, "Well, Kryon, you're doing a lot more predictions than you used to." I want to tell you what's going on, dear one. I am not predicting anything. I am just telling you what's already there in the potential soup of your reality. That's what Humans are doing on this planet, and for those who believe this communication, you should breathe a sigh of relief and say, "It's about time." ….”

Beijing respects Taiwan's choice of social system: Chinese official

Want China Times, CNA 2014-06-28

Zhang Zhijun at the Kaohsiung high speed rail station, June 27. (Photo/CNA)

Beijing respects Taiwan's choice of social system and values, China's Taiwan affairs chief said Friday during talks with the mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest municipality.

Zhang Zhijun, minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, traveled by high-speed rail from New Taipei to the southern municipality to meet with mayor Chen Chu, a senior member of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

Zhang, who arrived in Taiwan two days earlier, first met with Chen when the mayor visited Tianjin last August to promote the 2013 Asia Pacific Cities Summit in her city–a move seen as an easing of China's no-contact policy toward the independence-leaning DPP.

In addition to inter-city cooperation, the second meeting with Chen also touchd upon issues on the development of cross-strait relations, Zhang told the media after their meeting near the Kaohsiung Arena.

He admitted that although the two sides of the strait have lots of shared historical memory, they maintain certain differences in terms of lifestyle, social systems and values.

"We are aware that the Taiwanese people appreciate their choice of social system and lifestyle, and the mainland also respects these," he said.

He acknowledged that when promoting cross-strait relations, Beijing needs to listen more to different opinions, including those in southern Taiwan, to find effective solutions to problems.

He also said that Beijing encourages exchanges with Taiwan and welcomes the participation of all sectors regardless of political affiliation and religious belief.

Zhang's remarks were apparently made in response to displeasure caused among Taiwanese by a statement earlier in the month by Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Fan Liqing that the future of Taiwan "must be decided by all Chinese people, including Taiwanese compatriots."

Chen told Zhang during the meeting that the two sides should listen and understand each other more to move cross-strait exchanges steadily forward.

Chen said that Taiwan's democracy did not develop by itself but was rather the result of a hard-won fight by its people. Fan's statement with regard to Taiwan's future is therefore unacceptable to Taiwan's government and the opposition, she added.

"Taiwan's 23 million people cherish Taiwan's freedom to decide its own destiny very much, and we hope China will understand and respect Taiwan," she said.

On inter-city cooperation, the mayor proposed increasing the current flight services between Kaohsiung and various Chinese cities, promoting cross-strait cruise travel to boost tourism and expanding agricultural and fishery exports to China.

As with every other stop on his trip, several dozen anti-China protesters showed up at train stations and outside the Kaohsiung arena and held posters stating Taiwan and China are two different countries and demanding Zhang return to China.

Two demonstrators were injured when they were pulled away by the police from their attempt to block the motorcade in which Zhang and other Chinese officials were traveling.

Zhang Zhijun, right, visits a fruit farm in Kaohsiung, June 27. (Photo/CNA)

Zhang Zhijun, chief of Chinese mainland's  Taiwan affairs, talks with

people from Atayal tribe in Taiwan (China Xinhua News)

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Pope has most clout on Twitter: study

Cent News - AFP, Jonatham Fower, 2014-06-25

Photo Credit: Alain Jocard/AFP

Switzerland - Pope Francis has by far the most clout of any world leader on Twitter because he is so widely retweeted, a study of political use of the social network showed on Wednesday.

With 14 million followers for the nine different language versions of his @Pontifex account, the cyber-savvy pontiff boasts just a third of those notched up by US President Barack Obama.

But that it not the key measure, said Matthias Luefkens, who steers the annual Twiplomacy survey.

"It's not the number of followers which is really important, but the reach, the engagement," he said.

The real benchmark is tweets retweeted by followers to their own network.

Pope Francis wins hands down, with his Spanish-language tweets retweeted more than 10,000 times on average, and his English-language tweets, over 6,400 times.

Obama's 2012 election victory tweet -- a photograph of him embracing First Lady Michelle Obama and the words "Four more years" -- was retweeted a massive 806,066 times.

But on average, @BarackObama gets 1,400 retweets.

Obama's use of social media is credited as a key factor in his landmark 2008 election.

The @BarackObama account, created in 2007, has 43.7 million followers, but is not a US presidential feed and is run by his political campaign staff.

The official @WhiteHouse account has over 4.9 million followers, putting it fifth in the global pecking order, just behind the account of India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who has five million.

@White House was narrowly overtaken on Wednesday by @narendramodi.

"Modi's seen a stratospheric rise," said Luefkens.

Modi, the 63-year-old son of a low-caste tea seller, distances himself from the Delhi elite.

But he is notably tech-aware and has won plaudits from Twitter-watchers for his strategic deployment of it.

Indian officialdom's social media use is a hot topic, as Modi seeks to promote Hindi as the government's official language online, sparking stiff opposition.

While he speaks mostly in Hindi, used by some 40 percent of Indians, Modi's tweets are always in English, preferred for business in a nation with 22 official languages.

Modi, elected in May in a landslide vote, scored 24,000 retweets for his own "India has won!" victory message.

Otherwise, he averages 557.

Huge impact

Luefkens is a social media expert at communications firm Burson-Marsteller, which produces the Twiplomacy study.

He said that while television remains the key channel to hit the widest audience, Twitter is an increasingly-powerful tool.

"It helps you to broadcast, and if you broadcast to the right audience, that has huge impact," he said.

The social network enables politicians to create a sense of intimacy and even to interact with one another in public -- sometimes in an undiplomatic manner, seen in a Ukraine-themed tweet fight between the Russian foreign ministry and leaders from Estonia and Sweden.

Twitter is also a tool for leaders to follow one another mutually -- a statement in itself.

France's foreign minister follows 91 peers and world leaders who return the favour via his @LaurentFabius account, putting him at the top of the Twiplomacy table.

Next was the EU's foreign service account @eu_eeas, with 71 mutual connections, and the Swedish foreign minister, with 68 via his @CarlBildt account.

The @WhiteHouse and @BarackObama only follow three peers: the prime ministers of Russia and Norway, and the British government.

Despite taking to Twitter with gusto, politicians are light years behind celebrities.

Top-ranked stars' accounts include @justinbieber with 52.5 million followers, beaten by @katyperry, who has 54 million.

jwf/nl/lc

Pope Francis poses with young people in the Church of Saint Augustine in Rome
on August 28, 2013 (Osservatore Romano/AFP/File, Francesco Sforza)

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The Internet  - The first Worldwide Tool of Unification ("The End of History")

" ... Now I give you something that few think about: What do you think the Internet is all about, historically? Citizens of all the countries on Earth can talk to one another without electronic borders. The young people of those nations can all see each other, talk to each other, and express opinions. No matter what the country does to suppress it, they're doing it anyway. They are putting together a network of consciousness, of oneness, a multicultural consciousness. It's here to stay. It's part of the new energy. The young people know it and are leading the way.... "

" ... I gave you a prophecy more than 10 years ago. I told you there would come a day when everyone could talk to everyone and, therefore, there could be no conspiracy. For conspiracy depends on separation and secrecy - something hiding in the dark that only a few know about. Seen the news lately? What is happening? Could it be that there is a new paradigm happening that seems to go against history?... " Read More …. "The End of History"- Nov 20,2010 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll)

"Recalibration of Free Choice"–  Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Loose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth,  4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Paddle wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical)  8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - (Text version)

“…  1 - Spirituality (Religions)

Number one: Spirituality. The systems of spiritual design on your planet are starting to change. This is not telling you that certain ones are going to go away. They're simply going to change. Some of the largest spiritual systems, which you would call organized religion on the planet, are shifting. They're going to shift away from that which is authority on the outside to authority on the inside. It will eventually be a different way of worship, slowly changing the rules while keeping the basic doctrine the same.

The doctrine of the Christ has always been to find the God inside. The teachings were clear. The examples of the miracles were given as an example of what humans could do, not to set a man up for worship as a God. So when that has been absorbed, the teaching of the Christ can remain the teaching of the Christ. It simply changes the interpretation.

The teachings of the great prophets of the Middle East (all related to each other) are about unity and love. So once the holy words are redefined with new wisdom, the Human changes, not the words of the prophets. In fact, the prophets become even more divinely inspired and their wisdom becomes even more profound.

You're going to lose a pope soon. I have no clock. Soon to us can mean anything to you. The one who replaces him may surprise you, for his particular organization will be in survival mode at that point in time. That is to say that fewer and fewer are interested in starting the priesthood. Fewer and fewer young people are interested in the organization, and the new pope must make changes to keep his church alive. That means that his organization will remain, but with a more modern look at what truly is before all of you in a new energy. It is not the fall of the church. It is instead the recalibration of the divinity inside that would match the worship that goes on. It's a win-win situation. The new pope will have a difficult time, since the old guard will still be there. There could even be an assassination attempt, such is the way the old energy dies hard. That is number one. Watch for it. It's a change in the way spiritual systems work. It's a realignment of spiritual systems that resound to a stronger truth that is Human driven, rather than prophet driven. …”