ISTANBUL: Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie decried how justice is sought for one group of people, but not for other groups, something she said is present “even in the UN.”

Speaking with Syrian journalist and filmmaker Waad Al Kateab, Jolie said human rights are not equally spread around the world, adding that ‘human rights (are) sometimes for these (some) people … (but) never for these (other) people.”

The reality is that the world operates based on “business interests,” said Jolie, a former UN goodwill ambassador and later special envoy until last year, calling this an “ugly state” of affairs.

She said that she found this “disheartening” and “upsetting,” especially “as someone who has witnessed war crimes firsthand.”

Governments, politicians, and decision-makers make promises and declarations, but these often lead to “nothing changed and nothing different,” she said.

She noted that though people were often raised with the idea that “colonialism ended,” the control and abuse of develop
ing countries still persists.

“The attitudes, the control and abuse of developing countries is maybe worse than ever in the grab for resources … The business interests (are) set even in the United Nations, who has the final veto power. It’s always been that way,” she added.

Jolie condemns Gaza bombardment

Last month, Jolie condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza and urged action against the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.

Posting a picture of the damage in Gaza online, she wrote: “This is the deliberate bombing of a trapped population who have nowhere to flee. Gaza has been an open-air prison for nearly two decades and is fast becoming a mass grave.”

“40% of those killed are innocent children. Whole families are being murdered. While the world watches and with the active support of many governments, millions of Palestinian civilians – children, women, families – are being collectively punished and dehumanized, all while being deprived food, medicine and humanitarian aid against i
nternational law,” she said.

She added: “By refusing to demand a humanitarian cease-fire and blocking the UN Security Council from imposing one on both parties, world leaders are complicit in these crimes.”
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines has invited more Russians to make the country their next travel and investment destination after bagging the Tourism Destination of the Year award from the Russian-Asian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RAUIE) last week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the industry union has recognized the country as a ‘promising tourism and investment destination’ for Russians.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen received the award during a ceremony held in Moscow on Dec. 15.

In inviting Russian investors, Bailen noted that the government has implemented economic reforms in key public services sector that have made 100 percent foreign ownership possible.

‘We have more than 7,000 islands that are sunny and warm almost all year round. We have an open and transparent business environment that has recently included groundbreaking legislation that is friendly to foreign partners,’ he said.

RAUIE president and chair Vitaly Mankevich, who handed the plaque, cited the Phili
ppines’ ‘dedicated work, innovation, and unwavering commitment to establishing direct flights between Moscow and Manila.’

He said establishing direct flights between Manila and Moscow would further contribute to the success of Philippine tourism and highlighted RAUIE’s support in creating favorable conditions for an increased influx of Russian tourists.

He emphasized that the award not only signifies a source of pride for the Philippine tourism sector but also contributes to enhancing the country’s global reputation as a welcoming and attractive destination.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said installation works will be conducted on the Roxas Boulevard-EDSA flyover (northbound) in Pasay City next week.

In an advisory posted on social media, the DPWH-South Manila District Engineering Office (SMDEO) said the four-day works will start on Dec. 26.

The SMDEO will install the two remaining expansion joints on the Roxas Boulevard EDSA Flyover covering the damaged portions on the northbound directions, according to the advisory.

The DPWH advised motorists headed northbound of traffic slowdown and to take alternate routes.

DPWH assured the public that the remaining works will be finished on time.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recently adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by the Philippines and Pakistan to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.

The Promotion of Inter-religious and Inter-cultural dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace resolution, passed on Dec. 18, would strengthen mechanisms and actions for the promotion of a constructive dialogue across the cultural and religious divide.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in its readout dated Dec. 22, said it will also call on member states and political and religious leaders to promote inclusion and unity to combat racism, xenophobia, hate speech, violence and discrimination.

‘With your invaluable support, we are hopeful that the United Nations General Assembly will reinforce its enduring pledge to foster and retain a Culture of Peace — a commitment that is more essential now than ever,’ Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Antonio Lagdameo and Pakistan Ambassador and Pe
rmanent Representative to the UN Munir Akram said in their joint letter to the UN members before the adoption.

The resolution underlines the important role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the contributions of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue at all levels.

Since 2004, the Philippines and Pakistan have spearheaded the negotiations and adoption of the resolution under the General Assembly’s culture of peace agenda.

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees the unanimous adoption of the resolution as a significant development in the wake of the alarming rise in religious intolerance and racism, particularly Islamophobia, across the globe.

‘Pakistan will continue to lead efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace and the values of peaceful co-existence and inter-faith and cultural harmony,’ it said.
Source: Philippines News Agency

WASHINGTON: The UN Security Council on Friday passed a resolution calling for “urgent steps” to immediately allow “safe, unhindered, and expanded” humanitarian access to Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli offensive on the strip, but with the US again nixing language calling for a ceasefire in the conflict before the vote.

After several days of intense negotiations and nail-biting delays, the resolution submitted by the United Arab Emirates passed by a vote of 13-0, with the US and Russia — both permanent council members — abstaining.

The resolution demands the parties to the conflict allow and facilitate the use of all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings, to ensure humanitarian personnel and assistance reach the civilian population in need.

The resolution requests that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appoint a ‘senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator’ to expedite the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza.

It fu
rther requests that the coordinator expeditiously establish a UN mechanism for accelerating the provisions of humanitarian relief to Gaza.

Demanding that parties to the conflict cooperate with the coordinator to fulfill their mandate “without delay and obstruction,” the resolution also requests that the coordinator report to the council with an initial report within 20 days and thereafter every 90 days through Sept. 20.

The resolution also demands the “immediate and unconditional” release of all hostages, calls on the parties to adhere to international law, and deplores all attacks on civilians and civilian objects.

Demanding that all parties take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, the resolution stressed that humanitarian relief personnel must be protected.

It also requested Guterres report to the council in writing within five working days on implementation of the resolution.

‘Palestinian people bearing brunt of conflict’

Ahead of the vote, the US vetoed an amendm
ent proposed by Russia demanding an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in Gaza to ensure “uninterrupted and safe” access to humanitarian aid.

The US has already blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire, to the evident frustration of many countries worldwide, including some of its allies on the Security Council.

Speaking ahead of the vote, UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said the purpose of the resolution is “very simple.”

“It responds with action to the dire humanitarian situation on the ground for the Palestinian people bearing the brunt of this conflict, while protecting those who are trying to deliver life-saving aid and it demands the urgent release of the hostages and for humanitarian access to address their medical needs,” she added.

The council’s 15 members have negotiated extensively to try to find a language that meets everyone’s concerns, Nusseibeh said, urging the members not the reject the resolution “when the needs of people are so great.”

The vote was especially notable in that
since Oct. 7, several Security Council resolutions on the conflict failed to pass due to vetoes by its permanent members, leading some world leaders and observers to question the council’s effectiveness.

Since Oct. 7, the Israeli army has been waging a destructive war on Gaza, resulting in 20,057 deaths and 53,320 wounded so far, most of them children and women. This has caused immense damage to infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to Palestinian and international sources.
Source: Philippines News Agency

ILOILO: Aligned with the city government’s thrust on promoting sustainability, over 3,000 parol (lanterns) in different colors and sizes, Christmas trees, and other decorations made of recycled materials illuminate Iloilo City public places and major thoroughfares this holiday season.

‘The parols all over the city are the same materials we used in previous years. They are just recycled. Only their colors and designs are changed,’ Raisa Treñas-Chu, in charge of Christmas trees in the public plazas, said in an interview over the weekend.
Source: Philippines News Agency