Sports is not about being champion. You can be champion of your community, you can be champion of your life - Legendary Runners Promote Peace & Sport

Legendary Runners Promote Peace And Sport At New York City Marathon - Forbes: "Three legendary runners—Paula Radcliffe, the current marathon world record holder; Tegla Loroupe, the first African woman to win the New York City marathon; and Wilson Kipketer, a triple 800-meter world champion–are using the 2011 New York City marathon to bring attention to Peace and Sport, a global group that aims to reconcile divided communities through sport."

'via Blog this'

Update: Yemen: U.N. Security Council urged President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a deal requiring him to step down in exchange for immunity

UPDATE 2-Heavy fighting in Yemen after U.N. resolution - The Washington Post: "Witnesses also said at least five people were killed in overnight clashes between forces loyal to Saleh and soldiers led by Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a general who broke ranks with Saleh after protests began in January. Gunmen loyal to tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar were also involved in the fighting.

Responding to the decision made by the U.N. Security Council, a Yemeni government source said Saturday that Sanaa remains committed to the gulf council’s peace plan and called for international help to ensure its implementation.

“The government of the Republic of Yemen is willing to deal positively with U.N. Security Council resolution 2014, for it conforms with the Yemeni government efforts to put an end to the political crisis on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative,” a Yemeni government source said in a statement.

Saleh has backed down three times from signing the gulf initiative, which came after months of protests."

'via Blog this'

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post

Philippines, Muslim rebels agree to continue peace talks despite clashes - The Washington Post: "The rebel and government negotiators on Thursday also agreed to have Malaysian-led international monitors and the joint cease-fire committee investigate the Oct. 18 clash. Despite the rebel’s claim of Asnawi’s being cleared, the military said Wednesday it would continue to hunt for the guerrilla commander, who escaped from Basilan provincial jail in 2009. Col. Dickson Hermoso, head of the military office monitoring the peace talks, said the 11,000-strong Moro front would not be targeted itself, only rebels “who provide sanctuary or coddle these lawless elements.” Moro front vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar welcomed the international investigation into the Oct. 18 clash. “That means it will be an impartial investigation. That’s what we have been calling for all the while,” he told The Associated Press. Marvic Leonen described Thursday’s meeting as “a candid exchange where both sides cleared the air about pressing issues.” “We agreed to move forward on the substantive agenda and meet again very soon,” he said, without elaborating."

'via Blog this'

Arab League: Syria agreed to terms of peace plan ending 7 months of bloodshed & opening dialogue w/ gov't opponents on ways to move toward democracy

Under the terms of the deal, Syria will withdraw the army from cities and towns, release all political prisoners and permit access to media, human rights groups and Arab monitors, according to a statement issued by the League. “We are happy to have reached this agreement, and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately,” Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jasim al-Thani told a news conference after a ministerial meeting in Cairo. It was also unclear whether Syria had agreed to the Arab League’s demand that the negotiations with the opposition should be held in Cairo. President Bashar al-Assad’s government has in the past insisted that any talks should be held in Syria’s capital, Damascus, which his opponents say would put them at risk of detention. Under the plan, the dialogue is to begin in two weeks.

Arab League announces peace plan for Syria - The Washington Post: ""

'via Blog this'

Nepal Maoists ended a long-running insurgency. Peace moves had stalled over the future of former rebel fighters and a new constitution

BBC News - Nepal parties agree final part of landmark peace deal: "The Maoists gave up their decade-long armed revolt in 2006 and joined a peace process. Their decade-long insurgency left 15,000 people dead and caused massive damage to the economy. They agreed to confine their fighters to UN-monitored camps and locked up their weapons, in addition to taking part in mainstream politics and contesting elections. But there were strong disagreements among the main parties over the future of the former rebel fighters. In 2009, Maoist leader Prachanda resigned as prime minister after his efforts to sack the country's army chief - who he accused of hampering his efforts to integrate former Maoist fighters in the army - were blocked by the president. But the situation improved in September 2011 with the election of Maoist Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai. Shortly after he was sworn in, most Maoist weapons were handed over to a multi-party committee tasked with overseeing the peace process. Mr Bhattarai is the fifth in the five years since the peace process started. He has been described by some as the country's last hope."

'via Blog this'

The first step to United Nations admission is admission to UNESCO. Of the 135 UNESCO members, 104 voted to admit Palestine

Palestine Wins First Step Toward U. N. Admission | Lez Get Real: " The principal block to the peace process, in this round, is the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. These pre-fab towns occupied mainly by the most ardent Zionists, have turned the West Bank into Swiss cheese. A half-million Israelis are now living in the West Bank and expect to stay there as part of Israel. The Israeli government has refused to halt the building of settlements while peace is negotiated. Israel insists that it will not negotiate with terrorists, meaning the members of the Palestinian government who are members of Hamas.

The Palestinian Authority ostensibly administers the West Bank, but Israel maintains fairly thorough control. President Abbas has threatened to dissolve the Authority and leave the more mundane aspects of Palestinian administration to the Israelis.

The UNESCO vote is more a measure of the world’s attitude toward the West Bank and Gaza than anything with substance. By a 7.4 to l ratio, the nations of the world believe that the West Bank and Gaza deserve independence and statehood. They have been occupied by Israel since 1967."

'via Blog this'

Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/27/2011

Occupy Philadelphia protesting in peace | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/27/2011: "Occupy Philadelphia, entering its 23d day on Dilworth Plaza, remains one of the most peaceful demonstrations of its kind in the country.

In contrast to Oakland, Calif., where a protester was critically injured, and Baltimore, where police clashed with demonstrators this week, Philadelphia has been a model of restraint.

Police, city officials, and the movement's members are praising one another for their civility and respect.

"The city government is sympathetic," says Joshua Hupp, an Occupy activist. "They haven't tried to get rid of us like in other cities. That's saying something."

Farrell, who is working with the growing population of homeless people who are gravitating to the movement's tent city, says the police have been nothing but helpful. "Their presence alone is deterring some people from acting out.""

'via Blog this'