Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay
Friday, April 15, 2011
Filipino Rebels Agree to Stop Using Child Soldiers - NYTimes.com
Filipino Rebels Agree to Stop Using Child Soldiers - NYTimes.com: "MANILA — In what they called a breakthrough in the campaign to remove children from combat in the Philippines, U.N. officials said Friday that Communist rebels had agreed to ensure that there are no minors in their ranks.
At a news briefing, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the U.N. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, announced that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines had agreed in principle to cooperate with the United Nations to identify and remove any child combatants from the New People’s Army, the Communist movement’s armed wing, which has waged a guerrilla campaign for the past four decades. The Philippine government has accused the Communists of using child soldiers, but the rebels insist it is their policy not to recruit combatants younger than 18."
At a news briefing, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the U.N. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, announced that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines had agreed in principle to cooperate with the United Nations to identify and remove any child combatants from the New People’s Army, the Communist movement’s armed wing, which has waged a guerrilla campaign for the past four decades. The Philippine government has accused the Communists of using child soldiers, but the rebels insist it is their policy not to recruit combatants younger than 18."
Socio-economic reforms pact crucial to peace talk in Philippines: official | Home >> Other Sections >> Breaking News
Socio-economic reforms pact crucial to peace talk in Philippines: official | Home >> Other Sections >> Breaking News: "MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Agreement on the Socio-Economic Reforms is crucial to the 24-year-old peace process between the Philippine government and National Democratic Front (NDF) - political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), as this will strategically address the roots of armed conflict, officials said today.
A statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said government panel member Jurgette Honculada and NDF panel vice chair Fidel Agcaoili both agreed that agreement is the 'meat of the peace agreement.'
It is one of three key agreements remaining on the agenda that both parties seek to complete within a period of 18 months to three years. The other two include the Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reform, and draft treaty on end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
'It (Agreement on the Socio-Economic Reforms) is intended to address strategic and critical issues that are conflict drivers,' Honculada said, 'We're talking peace but if there's no development, no justice, we are like a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal.'"
A statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said government panel member Jurgette Honculada and NDF panel vice chair Fidel Agcaoili both agreed that agreement is the 'meat of the peace agreement.'
It is one of three key agreements remaining on the agenda that both parties seek to complete within a period of 18 months to three years. The other two include the Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reform, and draft treaty on end of hostilities and disposition of forces.
'It (Agreement on the Socio-Economic Reforms) is intended to address strategic and critical issues that are conflict drivers,' Honculada said, 'We're talking peace but if there's no development, no justice, we are like a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal.'"
CLICK WEBSITE FOR THE FULL STORY
Iran: Could the MEK Be Evicted from Camp Ashraf by Iraqi Military? - TIME
Iran: Could the MEK Be Evicted from Camp Ashraf by Iraqi Military? - TIME: "For years, Iraq's increasingly pro-Iranian government has threatened to evict the 3,400 Iranian members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a fiercely anti-Tehran group, from its sprawling former military base at Camp Ashraf, some 40 miles (65 km) from Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, and 50 miles (80 km) from the Iranian border. Despite the heated rhetoric, however, Baghdad has never fully articulated how it will uproot the exiles — who refuse to leave their decades-old enclave — beyond saying it will not forcibly do so. That has now been given the lie, after an Iraqi military raid on the base last week left some 34 people dead and dozens wounded, according to the U.N.
The dead include at least seven women, according to Rupert Colville, spokesman for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 'Most of those killed appear to have been shot. However, several suffered other types of injuries that would suggest they were hit by vehicles,' he told TIME from Geneva. 'It has been extremely difficult to gain access to the camp, and many details about the exact circumstances surrounding this tragedy remain unknown at this point. The Iraqi authorities and the [MEK] are giving wildly differing accounts.'"
The dead include at least seven women, according to Rupert Colville, spokesman for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 'Most of those killed appear to have been shot. However, several suffered other types of injuries that would suggest they were hit by vehicles,' he told TIME from Geneva. 'It has been extremely difficult to gain access to the camp, and many details about the exact circumstances surrounding this tragedy remain unknown at this point. The Iraqi authorities and the [MEK] are giving wildly differing accounts.'"
click website for the full story
The goal of terrorism? Sharia law (OneNewsNow.com)
The goal of terrorism? Sharia law (OneNewsNow.com): "'The goal of international terrorism is the imposition of sharia law.'
The former White House advisor explains that most major financial institutions in the world -- such as AIG, Morgan Stanley, and Citibank -- have a sharia-compliance fund where individuals can have their investments go directly to sharia-vetted activities. Under a sharia-compliance fund, he explains, a Muslim must give 2.5 percent of their total net worth annually -- and the funds are directed by sharia-compliance boards that choose where the money goes.
'And those funds are run by sharia-compliance boards, which consist of the most horrible Islamic imam extremists you can imagine,' he added. 'Five or six of them have been bounced off the boards because they went on terror watch lists.'
Morris suggests that the funds are a 'huge financing arm of Hamas and Hezbollah and other terrorist groups.'"
The former White House advisor explains that most major financial institutions in the world -- such as AIG, Morgan Stanley, and Citibank -- have a sharia-compliance fund where individuals can have their investments go directly to sharia-vetted activities. Under a sharia-compliance fund, he explains, a Muslim must give 2.5 percent of their total net worth annually -- and the funds are directed by sharia-compliance boards that choose where the money goes.
'And those funds are run by sharia-compliance boards, which consist of the most horrible Islamic imam extremists you can imagine,' he added. 'Five or six of them have been bounced off the boards because they went on terror watch lists.'
Morris suggests that the funds are a 'huge financing arm of Hamas and Hezbollah and other terrorist groups.'"
Latest escalation in terrorist activities from the Gaza Strip
Latest escalation in terrorist activities from the Gaza Strip: "Latest escalation in terrorist activities from the Gaza Strip
The situation on the ground as of 12:00 hours, April 10, 2011 1
note: click website for more info and updates
Israeli school bus attacked by Hamas with an anti-tank missile
(Photo by Adi Israel, courtesy of NRG)
Overview
1. On the afternoon of April 7, 2011, Hamas fired a guided anti-tank missile at an Israeli school bus in the western Negev. Following that event, over the weekend there was an escalation of approximately 120 rockets and mortar shells fired at Israeli population centers in southern Israel, including Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashqelon, the three largest cities in the south. Eight rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome aerial defense system, preventing direct hits on cities in the south (the system is not used to intercept rockets falling in open areas). After a relatively quiet night, intermittent rocket and mortar shell fire attacks continued on April 10."
The situation on the ground as of 12:00 hours, April 10, 2011 1
note: click website for more info and updates
Israeli school bus attacked by Hamas with an anti-tank missile
(Photo by Adi Israel, courtesy of NRG)
Overview
1. On the afternoon of April 7, 2011, Hamas fired a guided anti-tank missile at an Israeli school bus in the western Negev. Following that event, over the weekend there was an escalation of approximately 120 rockets and mortar shells fired at Israeli population centers in southern Israel, including Beersheba, Ashdod and Ashqelon, the three largest cities in the south. Eight rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome aerial defense system, preventing direct hits on cities in the south (the system is not used to intercept rockets falling in open areas). After a relatively quiet night, intermittent rocket and mortar shell fire attacks continued on April 10."
Judges Set Schedule and Requirements For Trial Completion « Thomas Lubanga Trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Judges Set Schedule and Requirements For Trial Completion « Thomas Lubanga Trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC): "Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is charged with committing war crimes by enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 years and using them in hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between September 2002 and August 2003.
The trial, which began on January 26, 2009, has been plagued by delays and very nearly ended before it began when prosecutors refused to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. After the trial got back on track, defense counsel charged prosecutors with abuse of process by allegedly presenting false witnesses who claimed they were coached by prosecution intermediaries. The judges interrupted the trial to hear testimony on the abuse of process charge.
After months of testimony, the judges ruled on March 2, 2011 that the case would not be thrown out due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct. They decided the evidence was not sufficient to render a fair trial impossible. A final decision on the abuse of process charge will be made after the close of the case when the judges consider all issues and deliver their final judgment.
The trial chamber scheduled oral arguments for August 25 and 26, 2011"
The trial, which began on January 26, 2009, has been plagued by delays and very nearly ended before it began when prosecutors refused to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. After the trial got back on track, defense counsel charged prosecutors with abuse of process by allegedly presenting false witnesses who claimed they were coached by prosecution intermediaries. The judges interrupted the trial to hear testimony on the abuse of process charge.
After months of testimony, the judges ruled on March 2, 2011 that the case would not be thrown out due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct. They decided the evidence was not sufficient to render a fair trial impossible. A final decision on the abuse of process charge will be made after the close of the case when the judges consider all issues and deliver their final judgment.
The trial chamber scheduled oral arguments for August 25 and 26, 2011"
Middle East Update: Protests in Egypt, Syria, Yemen
Middle East Update: Protests in Egypt, Syria, Yemen: "A 'protest phenomenon' has spread throughout Egypt says the New York Times, with insurance employees, factory workers, and students at Cairo University staging protests to call on the authorities to meet their demands.
Protests have even occurred in some of the most repressive Arab countries, including Syria. On Thursday, some two thousand people in small towns near Damascus joined antigovernment protests on Thursday. These are thought to be a prelude to even bigger protests on Friday in Douma, the working-class suburb of Damascus where 15 were killed last week.
According to the New York Times, uniformed security forces were largely absent and those plainclothes officers who were present seemed nervous:
Ammar Abdulhamid, a Syrian novelist and opposition figure who now lives in Maryland and has helped young activists in Syria to organize, said that security forces had largely withdrawn from the towns where the largest protests had taken place."
Protests have even occurred in some of the most repressive Arab countries, including Syria. On Thursday, some two thousand people in small towns near Damascus joined antigovernment protests on Thursday. These are thought to be a prelude to even bigger protests on Friday in Douma, the working-class suburb of Damascus where 15 were killed last week.
According to the New York Times, uniformed security forces were largely absent and those plainclothes officers who were present seemed nervous:
Ammar Abdulhamid, a Syrian novelist and opposition figure who now lives in Maryland and has helped young activists in Syria to organize, said that security forces had largely withdrawn from the towns where the largest protests had taken place."
Libya and Middle East uprising - live updates | World news | guardian.co.uk
Libya and Middle East uprising - live updates | World news | guardian.co.uk: "7.52am: Good morning and welcome to the Guardian's live coverage of events in the Middle East.
With the help of our correspondents in Libya we'll be keeping you up to date with all the latest developments on a day when Barack Obama has signalled the return of America to the forefront of the international effort in Libya. In a joint article written with David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, the three leaders commit their countries to pursue military action until Muammar Gaddafi has been removed. They write:
Our duty and our mandate under UN security council resolution 1973 is to protect civilians, and we are doing that. It is not to remove Gaddafi by force. But it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Gaddafi in power. The international criminal court is rightly investigating the crimes committed against civilians and the grievous violations of international law. It is unthinkable that someone who has tried to massacre his own people can play a part in their future government.
In their article the three leaders call the attack on M"
With the help of our correspondents in Libya we'll be keeping you up to date with all the latest developments on a day when Barack Obama has signalled the return of America to the forefront of the international effort in Libya. In a joint article written with David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy, the three leaders commit their countries to pursue military action until Muammar Gaddafi has been removed. They write:
Our duty and our mandate under UN security council resolution 1973 is to protect civilians, and we are doing that. It is not to remove Gaddafi by force. But it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Gaddafi in power. The international criminal court is rightly investigating the crimes committed against civilians and the grievous violations of international law. It is unthinkable that someone who has tried to massacre his own people can play a part in their future government.
In their article the three leaders call the attack on M"
750 Women Go Nude in Protest
750 Women Go Nude in Protest: "750 Women Go Nude in Protest
HUNDREDS of women bared all today in a visual anti-war demonstration on a hillside near the northern NSW beach town of Byron Bay.
750 nude women form a heart around the words 'No War' on a hillside near the town of Byron bay, 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003. The women said they wanted to send Prime Minister John Howard a message to recall Australian troops from the middle east. (AP Photo/Icon Images)
More than 750 female protesters shed their clothing during the protest, lying naked end to end on a grassy knoll on a private property, to form a heart shape around the words 'No War' for an aerial photograph.
Australia has sent troops and approved an RAAF fighter squadron deployment to join US and British forces in the Gulf preparing for a possible war in Iraq.
But it has yet to publicly commit itself to joining any UN-approved or US-led military action in Iraq.
Today's larger-than-expected turnout for the 'Disrobe to Disarm', prompted by a similar protest in the US, even surprised organisers."
HUNDREDS of women bared all today in a visual anti-war demonstration on a hillside near the northern NSW beach town of Byron Bay.
750 nude women form a heart around the words 'No War' on a hillside near the town of Byron bay, 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003. The women said they wanted to send Prime Minister John Howard a message to recall Australian troops from the middle east. (AP Photo/Icon Images)
More than 750 female protesters shed their clothing during the protest, lying naked end to end on a grassy knoll on a private property, to form a heart shape around the words 'No War' for an aerial photograph.
Australia has sent troops and approved an RAAF fighter squadron deployment to join US and British forces in the Gulf preparing for a possible war in Iraq.
But it has yet to publicly commit itself to joining any UN-approved or US-led military action in Iraq.
Today's larger-than-expected turnout for the 'Disrobe to Disarm', prompted by a similar protest in the US, even surprised organisers."
Anti-War Couple Conceive New Way to Generate Peace
Anti-War Couple Conceive New Way to Generate Peace: "Anti-War Couple Conceive New Way to Generate Peace
by Joe Garofoli
Living on their houseboat off the Marin County coast, anti-war activists Donna Sheehan and her partner, Paul Reffel, concocted a way for the world to communally create a lot of peaceful vibes.
They want everyone to have an orgasm on the same day.
Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffel flash the secret Global Orgasm for Peace (GOP) sign as they stand on the deck of their home in Marshall. They say participants shouldn't worry if they don't have partners. Chronicle photo by Chris Stewart
On Dec. 22, they're asking the world to contribute to the Global Orgasm for Peace. Sheehan said not to worry if you don't have a partner.
Busy multitaskers shouldn't despair about trying to cram this global activism into their busy schedules, either, she said. Take any time during the 24-hour period at the beginning of the winter solstice to join the demonstration. Just make sure to think of peace before or after participating."
by Joe Garofoli
Living on their houseboat off the Marin County coast, anti-war activists Donna Sheehan and her partner, Paul Reffel, concocted a way for the world to communally create a lot of peaceful vibes.
They want everyone to have an orgasm on the same day.
Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffel flash the secret Global Orgasm for Peace (GOP) sign as they stand on the deck of their home in Marshall. They say participants shouldn't worry if they don't have partners. Chronicle photo by Chris Stewart
On Dec. 22, they're asking the world to contribute to the Global Orgasm for Peace. Sheehan said not to worry if you don't have a partner.
Busy multitaskers shouldn't despair about trying to cram this global activism into their busy schedules, either, she said. Take any time during the 24-hour period at the beginning of the winter solstice to join the demonstration. Just make sure to think of peace before or after participating."
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