Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines

Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

Security Council extends peace keeping mission in Sudan

coastweek.com: "The adoption comes after South Sudan voted to secede from the North in a landmark referendum in January.

The referendum marks the final phase of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which concluded 20 years of war between the northern-based government in Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) in the south—a war that claimed the lives of some 2 million people and left millions more displaced.

The Security Council resolution extends the mission’s mandate until July 9, 2011 -- coinciding with the day South Sudan will officially be able to declare independence.

Meanwhile, the resolution considers the request by the government of southern Sudan “for a continued United Nations presence in South Sudan .”

In the new resolution, the 15-nation Security Council said it plans to set up a successor mission to UNMIS and asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to submit a report by May 16 on the post-independence options for a UN presence."

Palestinian deal ends rift, hurts peace prospects

The Associated Press: Palestinian deal ends rift, hurts peace prospects: "CAIRO (AP) — Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a landmark reconciliation pact on Wednesday, ending a four-year rift that had divided the territory envisioned for a future Palestinian state. The deal plunged Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking deeper into uncertainty as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'mortal blow to peace.'
The agreement, which followed years of bitter acrimony between the two Palestinian movements, was made possible in large measure by the political changes sweeping the Arab world and the deadlock in U.S.-brokered peace talks with Israel.
A unity government foreseen by the accord would also allow the Palestinians to speak with a single voice if they go ahead with plans to ask the United Nations to recognize Palestine as a state during the annual General Assembly session in September.
With Wednesday's signing, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority governs the West Bank, joined forces with Khaled Mashaal, the Syrian-based head of Hamas, which rejects Israel's existence and is backed by Iran.
The alliance set off ecstatic celebrations in the Palestinian territories — and warnings from both the Obama administration and international mediator Tony Blair that the new Palestinian government must recognize Israel or risk international isolation."

Thailand’s Abhisit Takes Aim at Thaksin’s Turf as ‘Brutal’ Election Nears - Bloomberg

Thailand’s Abhisit Takes Aim at Thaksin’s Turf as ‘Brutal’ Election Nears - Bloomberg: "Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will seek to extend those gains in Thaksin’s northern stronghold when Thais head to the polls in June or July as he pushes for the Democrat party’s first nationwide victory in two decades. For Khayan, it won’t be easy to repeat his by-election success.

“This election will be a brutal fight,” he said on May 7 while campaigning at a funeral in Lamphun, which neighbors Thaksin’s home province of Chiang Mai. “I’m afraid I’ll be targeted again.”

Violence involving Thaksin supporters and opponents in a country known for its beaches and Buddhist temples reflect divisions rooted in class and ethnicity, and the role rural voters play in determining the outcome of elections. Thaksin and his allies have won the past four elections on strong support in northern areas, only to see legal challenges and a military coup overturn the last three results."

Calm Needed In Cambodian Border Row | Editorials | Editorial

Calm Needed In Cambodian Border Row | Editorials | Editorial: "Fighting has flared again along the border dividing Cambodia and Thailand, displacing thousands of residents and heightening tensions in an already tense region. The United States is deeply troubled by the ongoing clashes, and is closely monitoring the situation. We are in close communication with both nations, urging them to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to cease hostilities and avoid further conflict and needless tragedy.

The latest fighting occurred around Ta Moan and Ta Krabey, religious sites that are hotly disputed by the two neighbors. A third temple complex in Preah Vihear has been the focus of armed tensions and military buildup since 2008, when the United Nations listed it as a World Heritage site under Cambodian administration. At least a dozen people have been killed and thousands of people uprooted on both sides of the border over several days of dueling artillery and small weapons fire."

Egyptian Copts, reeling from violence, want protection - CNN.com

Egyptian Copts, reeling from violence, want protection - CNN.com: "Cairo (CNN) -- Muslim-Christian sectarian violence intensified in Egypt this weekend, spurring an emergency meeting of the Cabinet and public exhortations from Coptic Christians for international protection.
At least 12 people were killed and 232 others were wounded in sectarian clashes outside a Cairo church, according to state TV. Officials said violence began over rumors that a Christian woman who converted to Islam was being held at the church against her will.
Prime Minister Essam Sharaf postponed a trip to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the church attack and hold the emergency meeting, according to EgyNews, Egypt's official news agency."