Peace Update: Philippine proposal for a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)

Peace zone’s legal merit cited | Tempo - News in a Flash: "This agreement was reached at the conclusion of the two-day ASEAN Maritime Legal Experts’ Meeting last Friday evening in Pasay City despite the absence of any representative from two member-nations, both known Chinese allies, Cambodia and Laos.

According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr., the findings during the meeting will now be elevated to the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEAN SOM), that will then make recommendations for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to consider before the 19th ASEAN Summit in November in Bali.
Conejos said the experts’ meeting, attended by representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, Burma/Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines led by director Henry Bensurto Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is limited to looking into the legal aspect of the Philippine proposal and not to decide on it.
During the meeting, the experts affirmed the need for peaceful solution of the West Philippine Sea conflict and to follow a rules-based approach based on international laws, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)."

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WHO Info: Canada’s urban air among best in world - thestar.com

Canada News: WHO ranks Canada’s urban air among best in world - thestar.com: "Canada’s international reputation as a showcase of natural purity got a boost Monday from a World Health Organization study that found the country’s urban air quality ranks among the best in the world.

Eight of the top 10 least polluted cities are Canadian, the United Nations agency said in its study of outdoor air contamination levels across 91 countries.

Agency officials compiled self-reported data on the number of microscopic airborne particles in some 1,100 cities around the world between 2003 and 2010.

The Yukon capital of Whitehorse topped the list of cities at 2.9 micrograms per cubic metre, the WHO said, with the British Columbia towns of Kitimat and Burns Lake rounding out the top three at 4.0 and 4.8 micrograms, respectively.

Five other Canadian cities made the top 10: the B.C. communities of Nanaimo, Terrace and Nelson, along with Corner Brook, N.L., and Fredericton, all boast air pollution levels below 6.5."

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WHO Info: World Health Organization Ranks Polluted Cities - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News

World Health Organization Ranks Polluted Cities - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: "The World Health Organization released a new list of places with some of the worst air pollution in the world.

The organization measured pollution levels in 1,100 cities worldwide.

The WHO says cities in Iran, India, Pakistan, and Mongolia are some of the worst on the planet when it comes to air pollution.

The worst offender on the list -- Ahvez, Iran, has pollution levels almost 20 times worse than what's recommended for safe breathing.

The cities which fared worse were usually in more densely populated countries with less pollution regulation.

The WHO says cities in the U.S. and Canada were some of the least polluted on the list.

The WHO blames air pollution for more than two million deaths each year, and says reducing air pollution can reduce lung cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease."

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