HONG KONG, CHINA - Developing Asia will face a prolonged period of high and volatile oil prices that will temper growth and force governments around the region to make painful adjustments to policy to encourage increased energy efficiency among consumers, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says in a new major report.
The Asian Development Outlook 2008 [...]

Developing Asian economies will revert to a more moderate growth outlook of 7.5% this year and 7.2% next year after posting its fastest growth of 9% in nearly two decades in 2007, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says in a new major report.

International and national non-government organizations urge the government to ensure a strong Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 to ensure that the real intents of the law to uphold public health interests will prevail.
The proposed IRR that seeks to prevent abuses by pharmaceutical companies of [...]

New York, September 16, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists will honor courageous journalists from Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Cuba with its 2008 International Press Freedom Awards at a ceremony in November.
Bilal Hussein of Iraq, Danish Karokhel and Farida Nekzad of Afghanistan, Andrew Mwenda of Uganda, and Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez of Cuba have all risked imprisonment, [...]

Honored for Courage in Exposing Abuse and Seeking Justice
(New York, September 15, 2008) – Five brave and selfless advocates of human rights from Burma, Congo, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan have been awarded the prestigious 2008 Human Rights Defender Awards, Human Rights Watch said today. All five have been persecuted and threatened for their [...]

“Last September 15, 2008, the newspapers came out with reports based on the Commission on Audit Consolidated Annual Audit Report for 2007 disclosing that there were anomalies and irregularities in the disbursement by the Department of Agriculture of some P 218.7 million funds for seeds, farm inputs, and fertilizers.”

Pahayag ni G. Oscar Empeño, ama ni Karen Empeño (dinukot na UP student noong June 26, 2006 sa Hagonoy, Bulacan)

Ano ba ang writ of amparo? Proteksyon saan at nino?
Proteksyon ba ito sa mga biktima na gustung isulong ang katotohanan sa ating lipunan o ginawa lamang ito para may masabi lang ang pamahalaan na sila ay [...]

The European Union is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in Mindanao, the growing number of civilian casualties and displaced persons.

“We condemn the International Solid Waste Integrated Management Services Inc. (International SWIMS) and the Rizal Provincial Government headed by Gov. Casimiro Ynares III for dumping toxic leachate to Montalban River. This practice not only pollutes the river, but also endangers the health and welfare of people including the residents of Metro Manila,” said Clemente Bautista [...]

China’s successful test of an anti-satellite weapon in 2007, followed by the U.S. destruction in early 2008 of an out-of-control U.S. satellite, demonstrated that space may soon no longer remain a relative sanctuary from military conflict. A new Council Special Report says that as the United States, China, and others increasingly benefit from the information [...]

“The national budget is actually finalized behind closed doors and without public knowledge and participation,” former national treasurer Leonor Briones said. “Where is genuine democracy if people are not able to fully participate in determining public expenditures and allocations for their own development?”

“It is becoming all the more urgent for the government to put a stop to failed policies of globalization. Beyond the immediate economic relief, much more meaningful over the longer term is to focus all efforts to build a genuinely self-reliant domestic economy.”

By Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez
In the wake of the debacle on the MOA-AD with the MILF, the bigger issue for the Lumads now is: will they be granted real recognition, rights and respect in their ancestral land?

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence today that the Philippines can withstand the current challenges brought about by the slowing down of the global economy and the steep global prices of rice and oil. Reforms will help cushion the impact, she says.

More local government units and civil society groups have added their voices to the clamor for picture-based warnings on cigarette packs even as tobacco control advocates in Congress remain hopeful that the bill would soon be passed.

Are you tired of frequent spyware and viruses in your computer? Do you want to get loads of fantastic, feature-packed software for free?
Join us in celebrating Software Freedom Day 2008 at the University of Makati where ordinary users, geeks, programmers, NGOs and even internet shops have laid out a coordinated celebration of free and [...]

Manila, 17 September 2008–Five leading brands are making significant
progress in greening their electronics products, Greenpeace’s latest
Guide to Greener Electronics released today reveals (1).
Nokia regains the lead, ranking seven points out of ten (2). Its
table-topping score is due to improved take-back practice in India (3).
“Most of the brands are responding to the more stringent chemical and
e-waste [...]

By Fr. Shay Cullen
Retired Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo laid aside his miter and took up the sash of the presidency of Paraguay last April 20. He is the first bishop of modern times to be elected to high office and he ended the dictatorial 61 year rule of the Colorado party of the former dictator [...]