United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes addresses a Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict at the UN headquartes on 26 June 2009.

Devra Berkowitz

As part of United We Serve, U.S. President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama help pack 15,000 backpacks full of books, healthy snacks, Frisbees and other items for the children of our servicemen and women in Fort McNair, Washington DC on 25 June 2009.

Pete Souza

A replica of a Balangay boat rests at the Manila Bay besides a Philippine Navy boat as it waits for crew members to board after it was launched on 28 July 2009.  The 15-meter wooden-hauled boat, used around the Philippine archipelago about 1,700 years ago, was built by native Badjao boat-builders in 44 days. 

Voltaire Domingo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomes Brazilian business leader Eduardo Bartolomeo, of Vale Company who paid her a courtesy call at the Copa Cabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 25. Vale Company has committed to invest PHP600 million for the exploration of gold and other mineral deposits in Masbate.

Dado Aguilar

UN and partners seeking ‘meaningful’ progress from Israel, Palestinians – Ban

New York -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined the other members of the diplomatic Middle East Quartet in calling on Israel and the Palestinians to fulfil their agreed obligations in the search for peace, adding that it is important to work hard towards meaningful progress.

“It is important for the Quartet members that all the parties concerned show meaningful signs of progress in the coming few months,” Mr. Ban told reporters in Trieste, Italy, following the meeting of the group, which comprises the UN, European Union, Russia and the United States.

In the meeting, the Quartet discussed moving towards Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and supporting the Palestinian Authority and economic growth.

They also conferred on the situation in Gaza; comprehensive peace between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon; as well as an international conference slated to be held in Moscow some time this year.

In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Quartet called on Israel and the Palestinians to implement their obligations under the Middle East Road Map, which embodies the two-State solution, and affirmed that unilateral actions taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community.

In addition, the group agreed that the current situation in Gaza is “unsustainable and not in the interests of any of those concerned.”

Members called for the unimpeded provision of humanitarian aid, including food, fuel and medical treatment into the area, which recently endured a devastating Israeli offensive with the stated goal of ending rocket fire into its southern territory.

Earlier this week, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry told the Security Council that “the unresolved crisis in Gaza has negative repercussions on all efforts to advance the peace process, and wreaks unacceptable havoc on the fabric of civilian life in Gaza.”

Mr. Ban, in his comments to the press, stated that the UN has a good proposal to kick-start early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza and has made quite significant progress in the West Bank. The UN is urging the Israeli authorities to stop settlements, including natural growth, and open crossings, he added.

Following the Quartet meeting, Mr. Ban attended a closed meeting of the Group of Eight (G8) Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan, which focused on regional perspectives, including cooperation in border management and countering illicit drug trafficking. He is also scheduled to meet today with the Quartet’s Arab partners.

New Zealand Post honours the heitiki as an icon of Maori art

New Zealand -- New Zealand Post has released the second in its annual Matariki stamp series, honouring the heitiki as an icon of Maori art - past and present.

The six-stamp series was unveiled at the Rongomaraeroa Marae at Te Papa Tongarewa on 23 June. The launch coincided with the start of Matariki, the dawn of the Maori new year, and included performances by Richard Nunns, a renowned authority on traditional Maori instruments, and Te Reo singer Mere Boynton.

"Matariki is an appropriate time to honour Maori culture as a key influence on, and an integral part of, New Zealand's sense of nationhood. We have taken this opportunity to showcase these excellent examples of Maori Art to the world," said James Te Puni, Sales and Marketing Manager for New Zealand Post stamps business.

"We have worked closely with leading Maori designers, academics, and organisations to further build on last year's successful Kingitanga and Matariki series, and shape the 2009 Matariki stamp issue. We are grateful for everyone's continued support," Mr Te Puni said.

The six-stamp series honours the heitiki as an icon of Maori Art, and features three contemporary and three historic heitiki.

Raponi's contemporary heitiki, carved from pounamu (greenstone), is on the $1.00 stamp. A self-taught carver, Raponi has carved more than 1,000 heitiki since the late 1960s. He specialises in Maori weapons and personal adornments made from New Zealand pounamu and paraoa (whalebone), concentrating mainly on the various forms of heitiki. The use of paraoa signifies a particularly high regard for the taonga being created.

The $1.50 stamp shows the contemporary carving by Rangi Kipa. Proficient in various disciplines, Rangi specialises in ta moko, sculpture, and ethnographic taonga and has works in major collections in New Zealand and overseas. Rangi was awarded the 2006 Creative New Zealand Craft/Object Art Fellowship and the Molly Morpeth Canaday Creative Excellence Award in 2004.

Rangi Hetet's paraoa carving appears on the $2.30 stamp. The contemporary carving links this year's series to the inaugural series in 2008 when it featured on the $2.00 stamp.

Heitiki from the past are honoured on the other three stamps.

An early pounamu heitiki, which was a feature of the acclaimed Te Maori exhibition that toured the United States in 1984, is on the 50 cent stamp. The permanent home for this taonga is the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and it was selected for the issue to recognise the 25th Anniversary of Te Maori.

The heitiki depicted on the $2.00 stamp is held in Te Papa. Milky green in colour, it shows the variety and beauty of the pounamu, the main material used in carving special and important heitiki.

The $1.80 stamp features the unprovenanced heitiki, also held in Te Papa's collections. While its origin is unknown, this heitiki was selected by Te Papa’s curatorial team as an excellent example of the art.

The various Matariki 2009 stamp products also feature the seven stars of Matariki (the Pleiades constellation).

Consistent with the cultural significance of Matariki, the stamps carry the name "Aotearoa" as well as the standard "New Zealand" identification. Various New Zealand Post Matariki product material has been translated into Te Reo Maori.

Maori designer Len Hetet, who worked with New Zealand Post to help create the 2009 Matariki stamp collection, said: "It was a great challenge to work with this icon of Maori Art in forms from the time of our ancestors through to the best of today’s Maori artists."

Other partners in the stamps' development included Toi Maori Aotearoa – Maori Arts New Zealand, the New Zealand Maori Tourism Council, The Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa Tongarewa, the Auckland War Memorial Museum I Tamaki Paenga Hira, Te Puni Kokiri and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.

In addition, expert translator Lewis Moeau provided translation services and Ngahiraka Mason and Dr Hirini (Sidney) Moko Mead have made written contributions for supporting material in the stamp series.

VP De Castro warns OFWs against drug trafficking

Manila -- On the occasion of the United Nation’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Philippines Vice President and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Noli De Castro called on all Filipinos traveling overseas not to allow themselves to be used as “drug couriers” by syndicates involved in drug trafficking.

He cited the report of the Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Sonia Brady that as of 7 June, 158 Filipinos – almost all of whom women – have been arrested for drug trafficking in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, an almost 1,000 percent increase compared to the 16 Filipinos arrested in 2007.

Among those arrested in 2007 and 2008, 22 have been imposed the death penalty, 12 were meted a life sentence, while another 11 received a sentence of 15-16 years’ imprisonment, and one died upon arrival in Guangzhou for poisoning as a result of the drugs he had swallowed.

De Castro expressed his alarm at the news and appeals to the public to warn their relatives and friends not to accept any parcel or bag from people they do not know in exchange for money.

“Think twice before you allow yourself to be used as “drug couriers” as you become an instrument to destroying lives of others.  At the same time, you expose yourself to certain criminal prosecution,” De Castro said.

In China , drug trafficking of 50 grams or more of highly dangerous drug like heroin maybe punishable by death. Chinese local courts have sentenced five Chinese nationals guilty of drug trafficking was executed recently.

Iraq blast: 70 dead

Iraqi officials say a bomb blast on Wednesday killed up to 70 people in the eastern city of Sadr. According to police, the device exploded in a market place in the mainly Shia district of the capital, Baghdad. More than 130 people were reportedly wounded in one of the country's worst blasts this year. The attack comes as US troops plan to pull out of urban areas on June 30. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the violence will not affect the withdrawal, and urged Iraqis not to despair. Most of the 133,000 American troops in Iraq are scheduled to return to military bases by June 30 in the first stage of a pull out. Full withdrawal will take place by the end of 2011.

Brits seek Africa roots

One hundred and fifty black Britons will visit Ghana during a project to connect diaspora communities with the countries of their ancestors. Participants in the ‘Back to our Roots' initiative will spend two weeks in the West African country learning about the culture, history and business and investment opportunities. The three-year project sponsored by the London Elite Forum, an umbrella organisation for businesses and entrepreneurs, aims to connect Africans in the diaspora to Gambia, Ghana and South Africa. Project organiser, Erran Warden told AfricanNews some British-born nationals and diaspora would like to forge links outside Europe and America but often lack the know-how or contacts to fully explore opportunities overseas.

West Africa stalls Eco

West African leaders have deferred plans for a single currency in the region this year. Following a meeting this week, leaders of the five-country West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) said that plans for a single currency will be pushed forward to 2015. The proposed single currency dubbed ‘Eco' was due to be launched in December this year. However the group said countries were not adequately prepared to meet the necessary criteria for the adoption of a single currency. The proposed monetary zone is made up of Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. There are also plans for a single currency for the entire West African region by 2020.

USD 50 million health fraud

The US intelligence agency, the FBI says it has uncovered a 50 million US dollar scam in a government-run healthcare system. The agency says 53 people have been arrested in Florida, Michigan and Colorado in connection with defrauding Medicare, the government insurance scheme that provides care to the elderly and disabled. Doctors are accused of paying patients to sign documents falsely claiming they had received treatments. Medical staff, patients and company executives are among those charged. Federal agents say they are investigating nearly 2,500 other cases and estimate that fraud is costing American taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

Indonesia outcry over workers

Indonesians have voiced concerns over the treatment of their domestic migrant workers in Malaysia. According to Indonesian officials, about 1,000 domestic workers suffer violence and mistreatment every year. Malaysia is home to some 1.2 million legal Indonesian workers and 800,000 illegal workers. However the country does not have any laws protecting domestic workers. Last November a Malaysian was sentenced to 18 years in jail for scalding her Indonesian maid with hot water and an iron. The Malaysian government has promised to draft legislation to protect migrant workers from sexual harassment, non-payment of wages and poor working conditions.

UK is Euro cocaine hub

The UN Office on Drugs and crime has named the UK as Europe's largest cocaine market. In its World Drug Report 2009, the UN estimates there are close to a million cocaine users in the country. Around a quarter of all ‘problem drug users' are concentrated in the capital, London. Figures also show wholesale prices of cocaine have risen to record levels. The cost of a kilogramme has risen by 50 per cent since 2007. At the same time the quality of the more potent Class A drug has declined dramatically, as dealers increasingly dilute their product. Cocaine is shipped to the UK through the Caribbean, and increasingly from the West coast of Africa.

US and EU in trade protest

The European Union (EU) and the US have filed complaints against China accusing it of ‘unfairly restricting' the export of its raw materials. In the cases submitted to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), they accused China of favouring its domestic industry when supplying materials such as coke, bauxite and magnesium. China insists its policies have not breached WTO rules. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said China's actions are affecting American steel, aluminium and chemical manufacturers, among other industries. However China says it is protecting its environment and natural resources. China has also lodged a complaint over a US ban on its poultry since the 2004 bird flu scare.

| Editorial Photography | Stock Images  | Photojournalists for Hire

Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman of Jollibee Foods Corporation, answers questions from stockholders during the annual meeting held at the Philippine Stock Exchange Auditorium in Pasig City, east of Manila, on 26 July 2009.  The Philippines' fastfood giant, with 651 branches nationwide and 49 overseas, reported a revenue increase of 13% to PHP11.3 billion, aims to have 4,000 stores all over the world by 2020.  (Photograph: Voltaire Domingo)

Alliance for Climate Protection Commends New Federal Study

Washington DC -- The White House recently released a new, historic national study of climate change in the United States.

Produced by the Global Change Research Program, a joint venture of 13 federal agencies, the report compiles the best available science that concludes that climate changes are underway now and actions must be taken to address the impacts.

Alliance for Climate Protection President and CEO Maggie Fox said, “The scientific data in this report underscores what scientists have known and been telling us – the effects of climate change are real, they are here today, and they are endangering America’s way of life. If we are to address this urgent and unprecedented threat to the health of our nation and the world, we must immediately reduce our carbon emissions and expedite the transition to a clean energy economy.”

Utilizing the most current data available on rising temperatures, carbon emissions, and sea level rise, the new report provides a much-needed baseline of information for existing and future measurement of the effects of climate change and their impacts in the future.

Added Fox, “The findings from NOAA’s new report make the strongest case yet for the urgency of passing comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change and position America to lead the world toward a clean energy future.”

Philippines Assumes Chairmanship of ASEAN IP

Makati City, Philippines -- The Philippines, through the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines), has recently assumed the Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Coordinating Committee on Intellectual Property Policy and Cooperation (ACIPC).

According to IP Philippines Director General Atty. Adrian S Cristobal Jr, “In today’s knowledge-based economy, Intellectual Capital, specifically, IP is the most valuable resource.”

As such, he stresses that knowledge management of Intellectual Capital, specifically IP assets, is the single most important task of the individual, businesses, and centers of intellectual property creation.

According to Cristobal, the Philippines’ leadership of the ACIPC is geared towards creating of a more relevant IP regime in the ASEAN region.

Moreover, the initiatives and projects currently being implemented or piloted are designed to nurture the creative economy, and boost SMEs in the intra-ASEAN trade.

The new ACIPC chief also adds that by creating an environment that supports the complete IP cycle – creation, commercialization, and protection – ASEAN nations will become a dependable and competitive player in the knowledge-based economy.

The ACIPC’s priorities for the next two years include the successful rollout of the first regional patent cooperation project and the on-line Directory of IP-related resources and services available in the ASEAN member states.

The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) makes it easier for entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs and inventors, to obtain patents on their innovations in the region.

It also improves the waiting time for the processing patent applications, and the quality of the search and examination reports among ASEAN IP Offices.

Under the ASPEC, an applicant who files a patent application for the same invention in two or more ASEAN IP Offices can forward the examination report from the office that finished the examination earlier to the other IP Offices for their use as a reference in their examination process.  Thus, the examiners of the other ASEAN IP Offices do not have to start the whole process of examination from scratch.

ASPEC was first proposed by Singapore in 2008 at the 30th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) in Hoi An, Vietnam and drew participation of Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam IP Offices.   Brunei Darussalam will be joining the Project as soon as its Patent Act is implemented. ASPEC started on June 15, 2009.

Meanwhile, IP DIRECT, the online directory of IP-related resources and services available in ASEAN member states, is a useful and comprehensive one-stop resource for businesses and other interested parties.

Initially, the IP DIRECT provides information pertaining to ASEAN Member States’ IP legislation, dispute resolution bodies, sources for grants/loans and government incentives for investment in technology and R&D, technology transfer/licensing offices, rights management organizations and IP awareness and public education.

Information in the Directory is organised along the framework of the IP value-chain, namely, invention/innovation, IP protection, IP exploitation and enforcement.  Information is further sub-categorised under “Key Activities” for easy reference.

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