30 Sep, 2011

International star Natacha Atlas announces Israel boycott – The Electronic Intifada

International singer and songwriter Natacha Atlas has announced publicly that she is canceling a planned concert in Israel and will boycott the country “until this systemised apartheid is abolished once and for all.” In a statement on her official Facebook page, Atlas wrote: Read the rest International star Natacha Atlas announces Israel boycott | The […]

30 Sep, 2011

Palestinian olive trees destroyed in West Bank attack – Jordan Times

HEBRON, Palestinian Territories (AFP) – Dozens of Palestinian olive trees were destroyed in an attack near the city of Hebron, local residents said on Thursday, calling it an act of revenge carried out by Israeli settlers. The Israeli military confirmed that “about 40” trees were burnt and uprooted in the village of Shuweikeh, south of […]

30 Sep, 2011

Census count finds decreasing white population in 15 states – The Washington Post

A Census Bureau analysis of the 2010 count showed that the number of non-Hispanic whites rose over the decade from 194.5 million to 197 million, but the 1.2 percent growth rate fell far short of the national increase of 9.7 percent. Non-Hispanic whites are now 64 percent of the population, down from 69 percent a […]

30 Sep, 2011

US ‘threat’ unites Pakistan – DAWN.COM

US accusations that Pakistan is supporting Afghan insurgents have triggered a nationalist backlash and whipped up fears of an American invasion, drowning out any discussion over the army’s long use of jihadi groups as deadly proxies in the region. The reaction shows the problem facing the United States as it presses Pakistan for action: Strong […]

30 Sep, 2011

Oil, Palestine and a Pathan cabbie | Opinion | DAWN.COM

Thousands of Pathans from Pakistan drive taxis in the Gulf states. They are mostly scrupulously honest and hardworking individuals. Unlike other expatriates from Asian countries who submit tamely to the occasional road rage of a brash petrodollar rich Arab youth, the hardy Pathans would offer stiff resistance. For this they were sent home occasionally only […]

30 Sep, 2011

Tony Blair: Time to go? – Opinion – Al Jazeera English

There is always something for Tony in what Tony does, and nowadays he’s trying to renew his tenure as the International Quartet’s point man on Palestine. The Quartet, composed of the US, EU, UN and Russia, is supposedly responsible for making pace between Israel and the Palestinians. If I remember correctly, Blair negotiated his salary […]

29 Sep, 2011

Juan Cole: Palestine Vote Showcases the Decline of American Power – Truthdig

The United States, castigated by its critics as recently as a decade ago as a “hyper-power,” is now so weak and isolated on the world stage that it may cast an embarrassing and self-defeating veto of Palestinian membership in the United Nations. Beset by debt, mired in economic doldrums provoked by the cupidity and corruption […]

29 Sep, 2011

Michael Moore: Arrest Wall St. Bankers, Not Wall St. Protestors – AlterNet

MICHAEL MOORE: Well, it’s highly ironic that now over 100 of the protesters have been arrested and not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America — nobody, not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008. Who created schemes, financial schemes that not only […]

29 Sep, 2011

100 Days of Solidarity to End the U.S. Occupation of Iraq | | AlterNet

Despite the fact that there is a Bush-era agreement with the Iraqi government to leave, despite the fact that the majority of Iraqis and Americans don’t support a continued U.S. presence, and despite the fact that Congress is supposedly in an all-out austerity mode, strong forces – including generals, war profiteers and hawks in both […]

29 Sep, 2011

How Face Recognition and Digital Fingerprinting Are Creeping Into the U.S. Workplace | | AlterNet

FaceIN uses two cameras to map a worker’s face, converting the width of their cheekbones, depth of their eye sockets, nose shape, and other unique facial features into an ID code. Every day after that, workers punch in by standing in front of a machine that recognizes them after a two-second face scan. Unlike the […]

29 Sep, 2011

Palestine in Criminal Court Triggers Western, Israeli Fears – IPS ipsnews.net

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 27, 2011 (IPS) – If Palestine fails to achieve full statehood recognition at the United Nations, the only other viable option is to get “enhanced” observer status with the 193-member General Assembly, the U.N.’s highest policy making body. But that proposed new status has already triggered Israeli and Western fears that Palestinians […]

29 Sep, 2011

Palestinian Trade Union Chief: Exceptional Opportunities for Tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil

28 September 2011: The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) says that a free Palestine will thrive economically when it is rid of the Israeli occupation, and tourism will play a major role.

29 Sep, 2011

Palestinian Call to Action: Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem

Imtiaz Muqbil

The following announcement has been issued by the Palestine Justice Network to support the pursuit of an independent Palestine, free of the Israeli occupation.

29 Sep, 2011

Ecotourism Can Play Vital Role In Maintaining Healthy Forests

Imtiaz Muqbil

27 September, 2011, Rome (UN Food & Agriculture Organisation) – The continuing boom in ecotourism has the potential to save endangered forests or destroy them, depending on how effectively tourism expansion is managed, an international partnership for forest conservation and improvement cautioned today.

29 Sep, 2011

Australia must learn about its neighbours or suffer 100 years of solitude

Despite this reliance on Asia, most Australians do not know that much about it, especially compared with the North Atlantic. We can name small US states and dank British towns. We know American movies are made in Hollywood and San Francisco’s Silicon Valley is home to some of the world’s biggest information technology firms. But […]

29 Sep, 2011

Mecca for the rich: Islam’s holiest site ‘turning into Vegas’ – The Independent

Few are willing to discuss their fears openly because of the risks associated with criticising official policy in the authoritarian kingdom. And, with the exceptions of Turkey and Iran, fellow Muslim nations have largely held their tongues for fear of of a diplomatic fallout and restrictions on their citizens’ pilgrimage visas. Western archaeologists are silent […]

28 Sep, 2011

Western debt crisis shows 10 contradictions – People’s Daily Online

Of the 10 contradictions above, the primary one is the contradiction between the super-high social welfare level and political system of the West. If the West does not solve the “ultra-democracy” issue of its political system and the “advocacy of super high social welfare” issue of its culture, the 10 contradictions will hardly be solved […]

28 Sep, 2011

China needs caution in expanding economic presence in Europe – People’s Daily Online

China has to be cautious while expanding in Europe Emotionally, China is willing to give a hand to the European countries in difficulties. However, practically, China has to comprehensively consider many factors including the investment return, security, risk and national interests and therefore has be cautious while expanding in Europe. China certainly can buy some […]

28 Sep, 2011

South Africa should support boycott of Israel – Al Jazeera English

South Africa has been cast into a situation where it has to choose between supporting a Palestinian proposal at the UN, or supporting the Israeli-US mafia which has been trying to intimidate states into opposing the Palestinian bid. For a country – and a ruling party – which have had good relations with the Palestinian […]

28 Sep, 2011

Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Families is Focus of New PR Campaign

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A new public awareness campaign debuts today in the Los Angeles area that targets children and families affected by Domestic Violence.  This campaign is a partnership between INOBTR and Children’s Institute, Inc. (CII), which supports CII’s Project ERIN (Emergency Response Intervention Network) program.  This campaign and program have […]

28 Sep, 2011

“What’s Your Dream Job?” Asks a Recent Survey

  Overland Park, KS (PRWEB) September 27, 2011 — Nearly everyone has spent some time gazing out of their office window, or at their cubicle walls, daydreaming about their perfect job. Many respondents from a recent survey, conducted by Persuadable Research, painted a similar picture of the characteristics that their ideal job would include. The […]

28 Sep, 2011

Boomers Greed Led To Global Financial Crisis

The most privileged, most profligate generation in human history – my generation, the baby boomers (most often defined as those born 1946 to 1964) – drove the world for the past decade to this moment of reckoning, running up a gigantic bill that has now come due. Responsibility for this bill lies mainly with the […]

28 Sep, 2011

The fear factor is a mover and a shaker

IT’S not something economists emphasise. Indeed, they prefer not to think about it because it reminds them of the limits of their so-called science. But the peregrinations of the economy are as much about psychology – moods and feelings – as about tangible economic forces. When you view the economy from outside, what you see […]

28 Sep, 2011

Hotels expect 50% drop / Survey predicts huge income losses for Fukushima properties : DAILY YOMIURI ONLINE

Hotels and traditional inns in Fukushima Prefecture are expected to see their income drop by about 50 percent in the year following the March 11 disaster from the corresponding period in the previous year, according to a survey by an industry association. Following the outbreak of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power […]

28 Sep, 2011

Goldman Sachs rules the world: UK trader

“For most traders, we don’t really care that much how they’re going to fix the economy, how they’re going to fix the whole situation, our job is to make money from it,” he said. “Personally I’ve been dreaming of this moment for three years. I have a confession, which is I go to bed every […]

28 Sep, 2011

Asian powers start key dialogue – chinadaily.com.cn

BEIJING – China and India launched a Strategic Economic Dialogue on Monday in a sign that both Asian powers are seeking closer economic ties despite differences over issues such as South China Sea disputes. Analysts said that the dialogue will strengthen economic development and their sway over international affairs, such as the European sovereign debt […]

28 Sep, 2011

Debate over GPS devices on suspects’ cars spurs ‘Big Brother’ concerns – Inside Bay Area

A legal case with implications that some say spring straight from the pages of George Orwell’s “1984” is headed to the Supreme Court in November, and its outcome could have a major effect on one of the Bay Area’s biggest murder cases in the past decade. Justices are being asked to decide whether law enforcement […]

28 Sep, 2011

Working People Feel Betrayed

Sharan Burrow, Secretary-General, International Trade Union Congress. Comments to G20 Labour Ministers - 27th Sept 2011, Paris

The world is in the grip of the 2nd wave of the financial crisis and despite the promises of London and Pittsburgh the jobs and the income of working people are even more vulnerable. Likewise SME’s are more vulnerable and yet there is no coordinated will to act.

27 Sep, 2011

Rules for a new world order – chinadaily.com.cn

the nature of the international system today is vastly different from what it was in the aftermath of the Cold War. China, India, Brazil, South Africa and other countries whose strong growth rates, sweeping internal economic transformations and considerable impact on global trade have elevated them as “emerging powers” have breached the walls of this […]

27 Sep, 2011

BRICS could give crucial aid to debt-laden Europe – People’s Daily Online

The BRICS countries started cooperation amid doubts and concerns from the West and have established a sound consultation and cooperation mechanism among Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Westerners used to think that BRICS was just an unconventional term coined by Goldman Sachs. Certain Westerners must find it hard to believe that the BRICS […]

27 Sep, 2011

Europe replaces US as new source of financial crisis – People’s Daily Online

The collapse of the dominos will be spread to the entire world through investment institutions. The investors who made losses in Europe will sell off their sound assets to offset the losses, resulting in price drops in other commodity and monetary markets, such as gold and oil. In a word, the global financial market has […]

27 Sep, 2011

Disturbing, dangerous week at the UN | Jordan Times

With the US having lost its ability to lead and the Palestinian petition still to be considered, diplomats began scrambling to find a way forward. What followed was as pathetic as it was ironic. At stake was an effort to help the US avoid vetoing the Palestinian submission – since it was feared that a […]

27 Sep, 2011

Inside the Wall Street Protests: An Eyewitness Account of Police Crackdown on Peaceful Demonstrators — AlterNet

This is the one-week-old occupation of Wall Street, located at Liberty Plaza Park. A group of protestors from the camp ventured outside the park and marched on Union Square Saturday morning, and around 100 of them were arrested. Police sprayed peaceful protestors in the face with pepper spray, threw them to the ground and assaulted […]

27 Sep, 2011

World Tourism Day Essay: Visit Palestine, Support Peace

Imtiaz Muqbil

The outpouring of global support for an independent Palestinian state has opened a huge window of opportunity for the global travel & tourism industry to join the effort and help end one of the world’s longest and most controversial conflicts. One way would be to make every effort to visit Palestine and end the offensive, […]

26 Sep, 2011

Rethinking the TSA: No Longer Accepting Police Repression in Exchange for Safety | Truthout

Everyone who travels by air in the United States has a depressing story to tell about airport screening. Media stories of a gravely ill 95-year-old grandmother forced to remove her adult diaper before being allowed on a plane and viral videos showing terrified children being intimately touched by TSA agents are more than depressing. They […]

25 Sep, 2011

Americans Want Leaders to Follow Public’s Views More Closely

Seventy-seven percent of Americans in Gallup’s Sept. 8-11 survey say the nation would be better off if leaders followed public opinion more closely, about the same as in 2005 and 2001, and higher than the 67% who felt that way in 1975, when Gallup first asked the question. One in five Americans say the nation […]

24 Sep, 2011

Majority Rates Obama Same or Worse Compared With Bush

Asked to compare Barack Obama with George W. Bush, Americans are more inclined to say Obama has been a better (43%) rather than a worse (34%) president, with 22% seeing no difference between the two. Obama compares much less favorably to Bill Clinton, with half saying Obama has been worse than Clinton and 12% saying […]

24 Sep, 2011

Poll: 70% of Israelis say Israel Should Accept Palestinian State

Israel should accept the decision if the UN recognizes a Palestinian state, about 70 percent of Israelis answered in a recent Hebrew University poll. The poll, which was conducted jointly by the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Center for Policy and […]

24 Sep, 2011

9-11 Cop Breaks Silence | American Free Press

The New Jersey police officer responsible for capturing five Israelis who filmed and celebrated while the World Trade Center towers burned has broken his silence, agreeing to a Sept. 16 exclusive interview with AMERICAN FREE PRESS. As AFP readers are no doubt aware, these are the same Israelis who were working under the direction of […]

24 Sep, 2011

Carry on the fight against racism — chinadaily.com.cn

It is important to note that the 10th anniversary is not meant to single out any country for criticism or to pour salt in anyone’s wounds. Rather, it provides a platform for all nations to confirm their commitment to the values and principles of equality and non-discrimination and the measures by the international community to […]

24 Sep, 2011

Vanishing patience — chinadaily.com.cn

The unjust “ease answers” will add to the domestic difficulties of policymakers in rallying enough public support to overhaul their troubled financial and economic systems with necessary and shared sacrifice from everyone. Worse, some politicians in the debt-laden developed countries have irresponsibly blamed other countries for their domestic economic woes, further undermining global efforts to […]

23 Sep, 2011

UN Palestine Debate: Turkey Seeks Sanctions on Israel, Australia Fears a “Further Intifada”

Imtiaz Muqbil

The Palestinian issue retained centre stage on Sept 22, the second day of the 66th UN General Assembly session. Turkey ratcheted up pressure on Israel by calling for sanctions against the Jewish state over its continued occupation of Palestine. At the same time, Australia expressed fears of “a further intifada” if the conflict is not […]

23 Sep, 2011

Overseas students get easier entry, working visas

ENTRY requirements for foreign students will be relaxed and short-term visas will be available for those who wish to work after completing their university studies in an overhaul intended to revive the tertiary sector announced yesterday. The government response to Michael Knight’s report, Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011, aims to increase Australia’s […]

23 Sep, 2011

Schoolboy was beaten ‘for being a Muslim’

A SCHOOLBOY from Sydney’s north was brutally bashed and verbally abused by more than 20 students for being Muslim, the boy has claimed. Hamid Mamozai, 15, was allegedly hit up to a dozen times by two fellow students at Asquith Boys’ High School on Wednesday as several more cheered and hurled racial abuse from the […]

22 Sep, 2011

Palestine Now at the Core of Global Geopolitics: Travel & Tourism Should Pay Close Heed

Imtiaz Muqbil

The outcome of the 66th UN General Assembly, which began in New York on 21st September, will have a huge impact on global events in the second decade of the 21st century. The travel & tourism industry will not be immune to these events.

22 Sep, 2011

The Muslim World Brings Forth a Counter-Jihad – Book Review – Truthdig

From Wright’s perspective, Americans’ view of Muslims and Islam hasn’t caught up to the reality. In spite of developments in the Middle East and elsewhere in the Muslim world, she argues, the past decade here in the United States was “shaped largely by fear of everything from a global clash of civilizations to a new […]

22 Sep, 2011

Obama’s Contradictory U.N. Speeches – Truthdig

On Wednesday, President Obama gave a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. His message—that Palestinians should return to the peace negotiations of 1979—seemingly contradicted his speech from a year ago, when critics say he argued in favor of a Palestinian state. He’s not completely inconsistent, though. At least he remembered to wear the same […]

22 Sep, 2011

Palestinians justified in moving to UN — chinadaily.com.cn

The Palestinian move at the UN is going ahead despite pleas from the US and threats from Israel. The two countries have warned that doing so would set back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for many years. But it is precisely because the many years of negotiations have resulted in nothing but frustration for the Palestinians that they […]

22 Sep, 2011

Just response to war on terror — chinadaily.com.cn

In the regional context, though not really successful, the US has tried using media power to exploit certain violent incidents to create misgivings between China and Pakistan as part of its strategy for creating a “de-link” between Beijing and Islamabad. It is evident from the above analysis that the US has not been successful in […]

21 Sep, 2011

BRIC nations sign Beijing Consensus – chinadaily.com.cn

BEIJING – The BRICS countries, including China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa, signed the Beijing Consensus on Wednesday, stating that coping with the financial crisis and promoting long-term, steady and relatively rapid economic growth are their shared tasks. The consensus, signed at the second BRICS International Competition Conference, called on all countries and regions […]

21 Sep, 2011

Tourism To Be Vital Lifeline for a Future Palestine

Imtiaz Muqbil

The Palestinian people, who are expected to formally launch their bid for independence and statehood at the United Nations this Friday, see tourism as a major pillar of their future plans for economic development, jobs and income.

19 Sep, 2011

Imran Khan: ‘America is destroying Pakistan’ | The Guardian

“The war on terror is the most insane and immoral war of all time. The Americans are doing what they did in Vietnam, bombing villages. But how can a civilised nation do this? How can you can eliminate suspects, their wives, their children, their families, their neighbours? How can you justify this? “When I came […]

19 Sep, 2011

Battle Against Deadly Lifestyle Diseases Figures High On UN Agenda

Sep 15 2011 (UN News Centre) — The United Nations is set to launch an all-out attack next week on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), bringing together dozens of heads of State to promote the lifestyle changes needed to curb the soaring toll of a scourge that already causes over 63 per cent of all the world’s […]

19 Sep, 2011

Multi-Billion Dollar Value Of Volunteer Work in Focus at UN-Backed Conference

Sep 16 2011 (UN News Centre)  — Ways to measure the economic value of volunteer work that amounts worldwide to hundreds of billions and possibly trillions of dollars, will take centre stage on the final day of a United Nations-backed conference in Budapest tomorrow. Co-hosted by the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme and the International Federation […]

19 Sep, 2011

UN Rights Chief Lauds Australian Move On Identity For Transgender, Intersex People

Sep 16 2011 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed Australia’s decision to enable its citizens who are transgender or intersex, or who do not wish to identify themselves as either male or female, to have their sex and gender identity properly reflected on their passports. “By its action, Australia […]

19 Sep, 2011

Next Generation of Corporate Leaders Lacks Critical Thinking Skills – Study

Imtiaz Muqbil

This dispatch contains summaries to and clickable links to the following research reports, surveys and studies:
(+) Major Study Reveals Next Generation of Corporate Leaders Lacks Critical Thinking Skills to Successfully Take the Helm
(+) What’s on the Business Horizon for the Next Five Years? Fletcher/CSI Asked the Opinion of 34,000 Business People
(+) Generation X: Overlooked and Hugely Important finds New Study from the Center for Work-Life Policy
(+) Abroad101 Unveils 1st Annual Study Abroad Rankings
(+) Young Americans and Social Security: 66% Think Money is Safer under Their Pillow than with the Federal Government
(+) Global Spa Summit Research Finds Potentially Explosive, $106 Billion Wellness Tourism Market Held Back by Conceptual Confusion and Weak Promotional Models
(+) JWT Explores Trends in Social Good

19 Sep, 2011

Why does US block Palestine’s bid for entering UN – People’s Daily Online

Some analysts believe that even if the United States succeeds in keeping Palestine from acquiring the formal membership, it will still face a major diplomatic failure in history because this will make the efforts made by the United States since Barrack Obama took office to repair its ties with the Arab world in vain, and […]

18 Sep, 2011

The Gender Dilemma: Women Leaders As Both Warmongers and Peacemakers

Imtiaz Muqbil

Originally Published: 18 Sept 2011 A group of eminent women from around the region met at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific last week to push for increased involvement of women in peace-building and combat sexual violence against women in conflicts. However, the meeting has only highlighted a view that as sexual violence […]

18 Sep, 2011

Op-Ed: Israel should support the Palestinian statehood push | JTA – Jewish & Israel News

While the Palestinians are unlikely to get the Security Council’s approval because of the U.S. veto, they will get the support of the General Assembly. Legally a General Assembly vote means little, but it doesn’t matter. As far as the world goes, Palestine will have achieved statehood. The new State of Palestine will be recognized […]

18 Sep, 2011

THE DAILY STAR : U.S. democracy is no model for Arabs

I know better now why most Arabs have totally given up on expecting anything positive or fair to emerge from the United States when it comes to the Middle East. Democracy is a great and noble venture and a most utilitarian governance system; but it also has a dark and ugly side that is very […]

18 Sep, 2011

Israel’s cluster bombs continue to kill and maim in Lebanon | The Electronic Intifada

Although Lebanon has been plagued by landmines since its 1975-1990 civil war and subsequent Israeli occupation, it faced unprecedented contamination levels from cluster munitions after Israel launched a 34-day war in July 2006. According to Human Rights Watch, Israel’s use of the weapons was the most extensive anywhere in the world since the 1991 Gulf […]

18 Sep, 2011

How civil society pushed Turkey to ditch Israel’s war industry | The Electronic Intifada

Here, the popular mood is similar to Egypt’s. For a long time, the Turkish government has been aware of the unpopularity of its support of the Israeli war industry and the occupation of Palestine. The people in Turkey have consistently shown overwhelming solidarity with Palestine, most notably with their mobilization for the 2010 Gaza Freedom […]

18 Sep, 2011

Time for people power to open Rafah crossing | The Electronic Intifada

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. International law is not against the opening of the Rafah crossing, and […]

18 Sep, 2011

US needs a wake-up call, says new Friedman book – Arab News

Faced with stagnating unemployment numbers, an historic credit downgrade by S&P, and partisan rancor over how to reduce the US debt, the two foreign policy columnists tap into public hunger for answers. “People are getting more and more concerned. When you see the polls, you find a large majority feels the country is on the […]

18 Sep, 2011

Fear incorporated – Listening Post – Al Jazeera English

Last week we looked at the performance of the US news media in decade following the 9/11 attacks. A big part of that story was the role the media played in creating a climate of fear in the US. This week we go a step further and look at the phenomenon of Islamophobia in the […]

17 Sep, 2011

Asia Times Online : To King Sarkozy, the spoils

To the sound of Apache helicopters patrolling the Mediterranean, and escorted by dozens of riot police, King Sarko felt the need to tell an unsuspecting world, “What we did was for humanitarian reasons. There was no hidden agenda.” But just in case – and with Tripoli’s top two hotels swarming with multilingual contractors/vultures – the […]

17 Sep, 2011

New General Assembly PresidentCall to Action on United Nations to ‘Rethink’ Way It Does Business

“We come together at a critical juncture,” said the incoming General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, as he opened the 193‑member body’s sixty-sixth session with a call to action on the United Nations to rethink the way it did business in the wake of ongoing global economic turmoil, popular protests that were upending once-stable Governments […]

17 Sep, 2011

Despite Increased Attempts to Stifle Dissent, Jewish Criticism of Israel’s Policies Grows – Media Monitors Network (MMN)

To the dismay of the organized American Jewish community, and despite its increasingly strident efforts to silence dissent, Jewish criticism of Israel’s policies continues to grow. Even the slightest hint of concern about the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli occupation is met with the harshest assault. In an article in the June 2011 issue […]

17 Sep, 2011

Leaked Documents Reveal Major Speculators Behind 2008 Oil Price Shock: Hedge Funds, Koch, Big Banks, Oil Companies | Truthout

As experts from Stanford University, Rice University, the University of Massachusetts, and authorities have concluded, rampant oil speculation was the prime driver of the record high prices for crude oil three years ago. Notably, the top speculators are noncommercial players, meaning they are companies that simply and buy and sell crude contracts with no interest […]

17 Sep, 2011

Can We Increase Gross National Happiness? | Truthout

When I first heard of Bhutan’s goal of maximizing its people’s happiness, I wondered if it really meant anything in practice, or was just another political slogan. Last month, when I was in the capital, Thimphu, to speak at a conference on “Economic Development and Happiness,” organized by Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley and co-hosted […]

17 Sep, 2011

Some real Shock and Awe: Racially profiled and cuffed in Detroit | Stories from the Heartland

Someone shouted for us to place our hands on the seats in front of us, heads down. The cops ran down the aisle, stopped at my row and yelled at the three of us to get up. “Can I bring my phone?” I asked, of course. What a cliffhanger for my Twitter followers! No, one […]

17 Sep, 2011

World Bank, IMF Face Shifting Development Paradigm – IPS ipsnews.net

Amid a global financial crisis that has shown little signs of reversing, next week’s fall meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are crucial in setting the tone for rebounding world markets, to which leaders of the Bretton Woods institutions offered optimistic, yet ultimately vague, solutions in speeches this week. Robert Zoellick, president […]

17 Sep, 2011

Erdoğan: Turkey Stands Hand-in-Hand, Shoulder-to-Shoulder With Libya – Tripoli Post

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, told Libya that Turkey stands hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with it. He also hailed the sacrifice of the Libyan people in order to obtain their freedom. After attending Friday prayers at Tripoli’s Martyrs’ Square, in a joint news conference with Mustafa Abdul-Jalil at Tripoli’s Rixos Hotel, […]

17 Sep, 2011

Remembering the Sabra-Shatila Massacre – Tripoli Post

Not a mention of the anniversary of this serious incident has been reported by the media of the imperialist countries that spends hours on end of its air time and spaces in the press to remember the victims of 9/11. The Tragedy, of Sabra-Shatila refugee camp was not an isolated incident. To date, Israel continues […]

16 Sep, 2011

Japan: Over 730 ads for overstayers, fake marriages uncovered : DAILY YOMIURI

Many ads encouraging criminal behavior such as working illegally and entering into fake marriages have been carried by free newspapers aimed at foreigners, according to a police survey. The survey, conducted by the National Police Agency in May and June, said 736 harmful ads were found in papers distributed in commercial and entertainment districts around […]

16 Sep, 2011

China’s growth a world opportunity – chinadaily.com.cn

China’s path of development has been widely discussed as the newly emerging economic power has become an important global player and, together with other emerging economies, it is changing the current world political landscape. Some politicians in foreign countries fear China’s development might become a threat to the world, as it might become “more assertive” […]

16 Sep, 2011

China’s investments boost US economic recovery – People’s Daily Online

The rapidly growing amount of Chinese investments in the United States have not only helped the United States ease the impact of the U.S. debt crisis, create more job opportunities and emerged from the economic downturn, but also enabled Chinese enterprises to expand the U.S. market. Chinese enterprises already paid nearly 12 billion U.S. dollars […]

15 Sep, 2011

Facebook or Fakebook? ITU Report Urges “Caution” On User Numbers

Imtiaz Muqbil

A landmark report issued by the Geneva-based International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today says that Facebook’s claims of having millions of users “should be treated with caution” because little is known about how those statistics are compiled or what they actually represent.

15 Sep, 2011

New Book Probes The Science Behind “Why We Like Music”

Hudson, NY (PRWEB) September 15, 2011 — How, when, and why did human beings develop brains and bodies with such marvelously precise and complex abilities to hear, make, and enjoy music? In her new book, Why We Like Music, Silvia Bencivelli investigates the fascinating new science of music in search of answers. Ranging widely through […]

15 Sep, 2011

Rising concerns about macro-economic issues challenging Australian SMEs

Sydney, NSW (PRWEB) September 15, 2011 — Recent research conducted by Bankwest has found that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) across Australia are facing more challenges compared to 12 months ago. The Bankwest Business Challenges Survey found that 80% of SMEs are finding it tougher with the biggest challenge cited as the general economic environment […]

15 Sep, 2011

‘Adult Dependents’ Cost UK Parents £34 Billion in Past Year – Research

London, United Kingdom (PRWEB) September 15, 2011 — Adult-children have cost their parents £34 billion in loans and financial gifts in the past year, according to new research(1) completed for Sainsbury’s Life Insurance. The findings reveal that that this generation of financially-strapped adults, dubbed the ‘adult-dependants’ by Sainsbury’s Finance, is still financially dependent on their […]

15 Sep, 2011

Survey: U.S.Pastors Want Taxmen Out of Churches, Churches Out of Politics

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) September 15, 2011 — Protestant pastors overwhelmingly agree government should not attempt to regulate pastor’s sermons through reevaluation of a church’s tax exemption, according to a new survey by LifeWay Research. The research, which was sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund, followed a related study conducted by LifeWay Research in October 2010 […]

15 Sep, 2011

An Online Invitation from the UN Foundation to Create a Peaceful, Healthy Tomorrow

Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 14, 2011 — The United Nations Foundation today relaunched http://www.unfoundation.org as an enhanced online hub, providing instant access to UN Foundation initiatives and connecting people with the UN to help solve the world’s biggest challenges. Visitors to the site will have easy access to information about the campaigns powered by the […]

15 Sep, 2011

Latest Pointers and Trends from Google UK

LONDON, September 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Google UK head of mobile advertising, Simon Morgan, considers the most significant developments in the field of m-commerce and crunches the mobile numbers: Over the past year we’ve seen smartphones overtake PC sales for the first time. The number of people on the mobile web globally has doubled, reaching […]

15 Sep, 2011

Survey Shows Undergraduate Students Not Getting Value for Money

SLOUGH, England, September 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Influenced by a stagnant economy, high inflation, fewer job prospects and rising student fees, a survey of 1000 13 to 17 year-olds reveals a next-generation of undergraduate consumers for whom a university’s ‘value for money’ will increasingly impact their choices in higher education. Universities will need to compete […]

15 Sep, 2011

Asian Business Leaders Say Future Generation of Leaders Not Up to the Job

 SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Corporate Executive Board (CEB) (NYSE: EXBD) today released findings that indicate leaders across Asia fear the rising class of business executives lack the experience and related skills essential to effective leadership.  

15 Sep, 2011

10,000 steps plus trips to the gym, it’ll make you and the boss happy

EMPLOYEES who walk 10,000 steps a day and work out in the gym three times a week can give their employer an extra $2500 worth of productivity a year, an Australian clinical trial has found. In addition, they can add five years to their lifespan in the process. The Body-Brain Performance Institute, in conjunction with […]

15 Sep, 2011

A Decade Since 9/11, Travel & Tourism Loses Sight of “Root Causes” of Terrorism

Imtiaz Muqbil

A decade after 9/11, the travel & tourism industry has lost sight of the “root causes” of terrorism. The costs and the price it is paying will rise even higher as geopolitical conflicts rage, the United States loses sight of its own core values and its global leadership ebbs.

14 Sep, 2011

Efforts Of Global Anti-Malaria Partnership Save A Million Lives In A Decade

Sep 13 2011 — (UN News Centre) Global malaria deaths have dropped by about 38 per cent over the past decade, saving the lives of more than one million people, mostly children, through the efforts of a United Nations-led global partnership that put emphasis on prevention and treatment, particularly the use of insecticide-treated nets, according […]

14 Sep, 2011

UN General Assembly Opens New Session With Plea For Unity To Tackle Global Crises

Sep 13 2011 (UN News Centre) – The General Assembly today opened its annual session with a fervent plea for cooperation in tackling looming crises from conflicts to climate change, and a nostalgic look back to a former secretary-general who died 50 years ago in the service of peace. “Moving forward the myriad of issues […]

13 Sep, 2011

U.S. in a Bind Over Palestine’s Bid for U.N. Recognition – IPS ipsnews.net

Barring some last-minute breakthrough that would revive negotiations or otherwise advance their national aspirations, Palestinian officials appear bent on seeking, at a minimum, recognition as a nonmember state from the U.N. General Assembly. That would allow “Palestine” to join a variety of international bodies and conventions and use them to oppose policies connected with Israel’s […]

13 Sep, 2011

THE DAILY STAR : A decade on, does the U.S. quite get it?

The security- and war-dominated, American-led over-reaction to 9/11 led to two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and increased political and technical support to Arab security services – exactly the two phenomena that led to the birth and growth of Al-Qaeda in the first place. It is critical to any useful analysis of Al-Qaeda terror to […]

13 Sep, 2011

The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Ideology, facts and the push to the right

Capitalistic thoughts are now well-entrenched habits, which accept the inequity produced by free markets as a given. The belief in the success of trickle-down economics is delusional. Reminders about the prevalent extreme poverty, significant unemployment, massive under-nutrition and chronic hunger are mere annoyances and irritations. There is a split in the India question. Should India’s […]

13 Sep, 2011

Left-wing extremism ‘most violent movement’ in India: Chidambaram

The Home Minister said deficits in governance and development cannot be addressed unless trust deficit is addressed. “If villagers think that Naxals are their friends and the established government is their adversary, you cannot win the battle,” Mr. Chidambaram said. He said Left-wing extremism has killed ten times more people this year than those killed […]

13 Sep, 2011

All-pervasive rot – Arab News

One of the many unintended consequences of the Arab Spring has been the exposure of world powers in their true colors. Having long been in the business of Machiavellian realpolitik, Britain was the first to change horses midstream, effortlessly switching its patronage from the tottering Egyptian regime to the pro-democracy protesters when the Tehrir Square […]

13 Sep, 2011

No end in sight 10 years on — chinadaily.com.cn

The War on Terror has lasted longer than World War I and World War II and terrorism still has not been completely eradicated despite the combined might of the US’ hard and soft power. Al-Qaida has not been destroyed and has indeed spread to more regions in the world, such as Somalia, Yemen and Pakistan. […]

13 Sep, 2011

China’s new voice is heard — chinadaily.com.cn

For Western audiences, traditional Chinese instruments are most often associated with Peking Opera and the occasional martial arts film. But with the release of Viva Girls’ debut album, Inspiration, in the United States, the all-female Chinese classical pop group hopes to redefine the sound and scope of Chinese instrumental music. The album was to be […]

13 Sep, 2011

Will China have to face down the US? – People’s Daily Online

Verbal attacks on China before presidential elections, as seen in recent years, are leading the public to thinking that China should be regarded as an opponent or even an enemy. If this thinking becomes mainstream in the US, we cannot rule out the possibility that China might be forced to become an enemy of the […]

13 Sep, 2011

Countdown to a World of Seven Billion People

New York, New York (PRWEB) September 12, 2011 — Earth’s population will reach seven billion on 31 October, a milestone that offers unprecedented challenges and opportunities to all of humanity, according to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Working with a wide group of governments, organizations, corporations and individuals, UNFPA is taking the lead in […]

13 Sep, 2011

Private Sector Role In Climate Change Fund For Poorer Countries Focus Of UN Meeting

Sep  9 2011 (UN News & Information Service) — The role of the private sector in financing a $100-billion annual fund to help developing countries limit and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and adapt to the effects of climate change takes centre stage at a United Nations meeting in Geneva next week. “Nothing short of […]