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Archive for August, 2012

31 Aug, 2012

India-Asean Pledge To Finalise Services Agreement by December

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Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 31-August, 2012 – At the 10th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultations in Siem Reap, Cambodia today, Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles, Mr Anand Sharma, and the ASEAN Economic Ministers reviewed the impressive growth in total trade since the signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. Since 2011, bilateral […]

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31 Aug, 2012

India Imposes Stringent Mobile Radiation Standards

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Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, 31-August, 2012 – Effective 1st September 2012, India will be among the select few countries in the world to have stringent EMF (Electromagnetic Frequency) Radiation Standards, established in the interest of public health, for mobile towers and mobile handsets. Indian standards would now be 10 times more stringent than […]

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31 Aug, 2012

New List Reveals Healthiest Places to Work in America

Pack a healthy lunch, and keep a stash of healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit, etc) in your desk drawer. Get up from your desk, and take regular 5-minute walk breaks. Drink lots of water. Fill a water bottle up at the nearest cooler or water fountain and keep it at your desk. Take the stairs. […]

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31 Aug, 2012

China, Egypt Back Palestine Statehood

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) — China and Egypt have reaffirmed their support for an independent State of Palestine, according to a joint press communique issued here on Thursday. The independent state should have full sovereignty established on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, said the communique, which also backed […]

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31 Aug, 2012

Why Americans Must End America’s Self-Generating Wars « THE INTERNET POST

To define this prevention of war as an achievable goal may sound pretentious. But the necessary steps to be taken are above all achievable here at home in America. And what is needed is not some radical and untested new policy, but a much-needed realistic reassessment and progressive scaling back of two discredited policies that […]

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31 Aug, 2012

“Marginal Drop” in Indian Forest Cover

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Ministry of Environment and Forests, 29-August, 2012 – The details of the India State of Forest Report, 2011 (ISFR) published by Dehradun –based Forest Survey of India is as follows:- • India State of Forest Report 2011 is the twelfth such report. The first report was published in 1987. • Forest and tree cover of […]

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31 Aug, 2012

India Sets Up New Department of Disability Affairs

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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 30-August, 2012 – A new Department of Disability Affairs has been set up as per the  Cabinet Secretariat’s notification dated 12.05.2012 to ensure greater focus on policy matters regarding disability issues. Having a separate budget will help strengthen existing schemes, formulation of new schemes, promotion of technological innovation and […]

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31 Aug, 2012

U.S. Shares Responsibility for Rachel Corrie’s Death | FPIF

It appears that both Republicans and Democrats believe that the lives of Americans who work for peace and justice in conflict areas are secondary to ensuring the profits of American arms merchants and the pursuit of narrowly defined strategic objectives. Perhaps the best thing we can do in memory of Rachel Corrie, Furkan Dogan, and […]

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31 Aug, 2012

California State Assembly Seeks to Stifle Debate on Israel

The California State Assembly has just passed a bipartisan resolution (HR 35) by voice vote which constitutes a serious attack on academic freedom and the rights of students and faculty to raise awareness about human rights abuses by U.S.-backed governments. While purporting to put the legislature on record in opposition of anti-Semitism on state university […]

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31 Aug, 2012

U.S. Imprisons More People Than Any Other Country in the World | Alternet

A new video created by the Brave New Foundation and endorsed by a wide range of groups, from the ACLU and the NAACP to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the United Methodist Church, examines the ways in which prison is like a beast. “The U.S. is paying to have more than 2.3 […]

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31 Aug, 2012

India To Spend Billions on Upgrading Railways

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New Delhi, 30-August, 2012 (Ministry of Railways) – India is projecting private investment of more than IRs 79.83 crores in a range of railway projects to be developed under the upcoming 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans, Minister of State for Railways Shri K. H. Muniyappa said in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Sikh-led prayer and GOP convictions – CNN.com

If Mitt Romney and Republican leaders want the historic Sikh invocation to be more than tokenism — and are serious about preventing another Oak Creek — they cannot continue to let hateful speech within their own party go unchecked. In a time when hate groups are on the rise, the Republican Party must accept responsibility […]

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30 Aug, 2012

The GOP has a Muslim problem – CNN.com

A Catholic priest, a rabbi, an evangelical minister, a Sikh, a Greek Orthodox archbishop and two Mormon leaders walk into the Republican National Convention. It sounds like the beginning of a joke. But the Republican Party’s decision to invite representatives from all of these faiths to speak at this week’s convention, but to exclude a […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Russian central banker outperformed US Fed’s Bernanke – rating — RT

The Chairman of Russia’s Central bank Sergey Igantiev beats US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke and the ECB head Mario Draghi in the World’s Top Central Bankers 2012 rating, organised by Global Finance magazine. Russia’s Ignatiev was rated B+, improving his result from last year’s B rating. Meanwhile America’s Bernanke was rated B by Global […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Islam is inseparable part of Russia’s society and culture – Putin — RT

President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian Hajj Mission on its 10th anniversary, and said that Islam has become integral to Russia’s religious, cultural and social fabric. “Traditions of Islam are based on eternal values of kindness, mercifulness and justice. Millions of people in our country practice this ancient religion,” Putin wrote in a telegram published […]

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30 Aug, 2012

India Pushes Reinvigorated Non-Aligned Movement, Reform of Global Governance

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Tehran, 30-August, 2012 (Indian Prime Minister’s Office) – Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s address delivered today at 16th NAM Summit in Tehran: “I congratulate His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on assuming the Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement. Mr. Chairman, India will extend […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Business Travel Paperwork Wastes Time, Hits Productivity – Survey

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LONDON-August 30, 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–A YouGov survey commissioned by Concur of over 1,000 UK business travellers surveyed reveals the major pain points associated with business travel and the extent to which these factors affect employee satisfaction and productivity. Business travel is a significant part of employees’ job function with over one half of those surveyed travelling […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Burmese Trade Union Leader Cleared to Return from Exile

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29 August 2012 (ITUC Press Release): The International Trades Union Congress (ITUC) has welcomed the imminent return to Burma of the leader of the country’s trade union movement, Maung Maung, following a decision by the government to remove some 2,000 people from a black-list of over 6,000 banned from entering the country. Maung Maung is […]

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30 Aug, 2012

U.S. Office Workers Say Promotions Depend More On Politics Than Hard Work

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NEW YORK & SUNNYVALE, Calif.- 29 August 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–PARADE Magazine teamed up with Yahoo! Finance for the Job Happiness Survey to discover how Americans view their jobs, working cultures, career priorities, and prospects. Based on the findings, it is clear that Americans are putting more value on every penny earned. Below are some of the […]

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30 Aug, 2012

Job freeze now hits headhunters – Hindustan Times

The global economic uncertainty and its impact on business sentiments have claimed a new victim — headhunters or recruitment agencies. With companies turning choosy both on hiring and spending, staffing firms are facing pricing pressures, said industry experts. “Costs are under pressure as the cycle to close the recruitment process has become longer,” said Manish […]

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29 Aug, 2012

Israel’s possible strike on Iran threatens Middle East stability | ArabNews

THE decision to launch a deadly strike against Iran’s nuclear sites has been taken. It now rests with two men, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hawkish Defense Minister Ehud Barak. According to Western and Israeli press reports, quoting informed intelligence sources, the attack will take place in the coming 12 weeks, most likely […]

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29 Aug, 2012

Number of Pakistani expats exceeds 1.5 m | ArabNews

The number of Pakistani expats in Saudi Arabia is consistently increasing and currently exceeds 1.5 million. Pakistani Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan said yesterday that the Pakistanis were “committed and conscientious workers” because of their proximity to the Kingdom and its people, especially in terms of religion and age-old ties. via Number of Pakistani expats exceeds […]

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29 Aug, 2012

Minority rights and the Indonesian diaspora | The Jakarta Post

The 2010 census revealed there were about 63,000 Indonesians registered in the United States, making them the 15th largest Asian minority after the Myanmarese. Human rights, however, may foil Indonesia’s bid to achieve the goal of increasing power and culture abroad, as it has been experiencing a brain drain during its modern history due to […]

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29 Aug, 2012

National Security? Or Job Security for the Security Apparatus?

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The following press release issued following an American Legion National Security Symposium makes clear that hyping up the threat to U.S. national security is all about creating job security for the defense and military apparatus which is becoming increasingly worried about the consequences of a reduced military budget. The transport, travel & tourism industry is […]

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29 Aug, 2012

NY Stock Exchange CEO Report Urges Less Regulation, Reduced Debt, Lower Taxes

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NEW YORK-August 28, 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Global CEOs and U.S. small business owners are strongly urging political leaders and candidates for office to focus tax reform, regulation, the size of government and entitlements, and the national debt to stimulate the economy, growth and job creation, according to a newly released report from NYSE Euronext (NYX). Among those […]

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29 Aug, 2012

New Model Sought to Drive Sales as ‘Deal Fatigue’ Sets in

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MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.-28 Aug 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–“Deal fatigue” appears to be slowing consumer enthusiasm for daily deal sites such as Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN)—and the Aristocrat Group Corp. (OTCBB: ASCC) is working on a new coupon model to offer buyers something different. Although Groupon and its largest competitor, Living Social, have built tremendous market share in the […]

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29 Aug, 2012

China’s Economic Transition Starts

By Liu Shijin (China Daily)

Beijing, August 28, 2012 – China’s economy grew by 7.6 percent in the second quarter of this year, continuing a downward trend that began two years ago. At such a time, it’s important that we make the economy stable for the present to ensure that long-term development occurs. The slowdown is the result of a […]

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29 Aug, 2012

U.S. State Dept to Spend $750 Million to Revamp Visa, Consular Services

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ARLINGTON, Va.-August 28, 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. Department of State has selected Accenture Federal Services as one of nine prime contractors to provide technical support and consulting services under a $750 million Development, Modernization, Enhancement (DME) contracting vehicle. The DME has a one-year base, with four, one-year options. The State Department’s DME is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) […]

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29 Aug, 2012

US launches financial attacks against its allies – People’s Daily Online

The United States and Britain have claimed they have “special relations” for a long period. But recently, the United States has cracked down on large British banks successively. Barclays Bank was accused of manipulating the exchange rate. HSBC Bank was charged of laundering money for drug cartels. Presently, Standard Chartered Bank also turns into the […]

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29 Aug, 2012

Egypt Looks East: New President Visits China Before U.S.

Source: Global Times

Global Times Editor’s Note: New Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi picked China rather than the US for his first visit to a big power, which has caused some stir. The visit, scheduled from August 28 to 30, is intended to bring Sino-Egyptian relations into a new stage. Is Egypt looking east? What does the visit mean […]

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29 Aug, 2012

European Commission to Probe Proposed Buyout of Aer Lingus by Ryanair

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Brussels, 29 August 2012 – European Commission Press release – The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation (phase II) under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by the low cost carrier Ryanair, which was notified to the Commission on 24 July 2012. Both are major players in the Irish […]

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28 Aug, 2012

Republican Jews Hone Message in Tampa – Forward.com

A key message for Jewish Republicans at the convention will be advancing the image of Mitt Romney as more supportive of Israel than Obama. Helping to make the point will be several events hosted during the convention by the Republican Jewish Coalition, including a “Salute for pro-Israel Elected Officials” and an event honoring Republican governors. […]

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28 Aug, 2012

Japan Survey Claims: Women Less Employable After Starting a Family

Tokyo, Aug 21, 2012 – (JCN Newswire) – In a recent Employee Insights Survey of female professionals in Japan, 77% of respondents believe women are less employable if they decide to start a family. In contrast, only 3% feel women are more employable, while 20% believe starting a family does not affect a woman’s chances […]

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28 Aug, 2012

JETRO Releases 2012 Global Trade and Investment Report

Tokyo, Aug 9, 2012 – (JCN Newswire) – JETRO today released its “2012 Global Trade and Investment Report”.

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28 Aug, 2012

McKinsey Report: Winning the US$30 trillion Decathlon

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(Source: McKinsey & Company) – By 2025, more than half of the world’s population will have joined the consuming classes, driving annual consumption in emerging markets to $30 trillion. Global companies must master ten key disciplines—or miss the defining growth opportunity of our times. Ten disciplines, one goal CEOs recognize that winning in emerging markets […]

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27 Aug, 2012

Droughts Flag Need to Better Manage Water Resources, Safeguard Food Security

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27 August 2012, Stockholm/Rome (FAO media release) –Drought in some parts of the world has hurt global grain production and contributed to food price spikes virtually every other year since 2007, highlighting the need to transform the way water is used – and wasted – throughout the entire food chain. This is one of the […]

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27 Aug, 2012

Record $66.3 Billion in US Arms Sales Abroad in 2011 — Antiwar.com

Heavily backed by the US government, US arms makers are a serious growth industry, not only providing weapons to America’s own enormous military for its assorted adventures, but capturing the vast majority of the foreign arms market on the planet as well. The new figures released in a study for Congress show several records being […]

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27 Aug, 2012

TSA spends millions on failed shoe scanning devices — RT

The US government has tested several scanning devices meant to detect explosives and weapons in passengers’ shoes at airports. Millions of dollars later, the Transportation Security Administration has concluded the devices are ineffective. The TSA has been testing shoe scanners made by companies in the US and abroad since 2007. One of the four shoe […]

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27 Aug, 2012

Indonesia’s Mbaru Niang Tops 2012 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards

UNESCO Media release

Bangkok, 27 August 2012 — Mbaru Niang, a village of traditional houses in Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia has been honoured with the Award of Excellence in the 2012 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The two Awards of Distinction include the Sethna Buildings in Mumbai, India and the Water Systems in […]

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27 Aug, 2012

How Much Water Will 2 Billion Tourists Guzzle?

A major United Nations report being discussed at the World Water Week now underway in Stockholm provides ample food for thought for the travel & tourism industry: Can it cope with the pressures of managing the generation, consumption and disposal of water by more than two billion international and domestic tourists annually? From Kenya to […]

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27 Aug, 2012

Rachel Corrie’s mother: ‘I know this won’t be the end’ – The Guardian

The verdict in the lawsuit, she says, is part of a process, “one piece of what we’ve done. In terms of what happened to Rachel and the accountability that we’re seeking, the process has shown there are huge problems here [in Israel] in investigations and the legal system. There continue to be things that need […]

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26 Aug, 2012

Mauritania’s Date Palms: Cultural Heritage and Means of Survival

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Muqbil

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the Islamic countries for the week ending 27 August 2012 (09 Shawwala 1433). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.

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25 Aug, 2012

EXCLUSIVE: Thai “Salesmonk” Urges Visits to Buddhist Sites in Pakistan

BANGKOK – A prominent Thai Buddhist monk has called on the world’s Buddhists to visit Pakistan if they wish to get a better idea of Buddhist history and the centres of learning that contributed to its spread. Describing himself as a “salesmonk” rather than a “salesman” for the Buddhist heritage sites of Pakistan, the Venerable […]

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25 Aug, 2012

We are Women Against Rape but we do not want Julian Assange extradited – guardian.co.uk

When Julian Assange was first arrested, we were struck by the unusual zeal with which he was being pursued for rape allegations. It seems even clearer now, that the allegations against him are a smokescreen behind which a number of governments are trying to clamp down on WikiLeaks for having audaciously revealed to the public […]

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24 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Israelis warn Tel Aviv of Iran strike aftershocks

Hundreds of Israelis have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest against a potential military strike by the Israeli regime on Iran. In separate demonstrations across Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, the protesters chanted slogans such as ‘No to war’ and carried signs, condemning the Israeli authorities for social inequality and the government’s […]

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24 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Good leaks, bad leaks reveal US hypocrisy

“Only Bad Leaks (ones that expose government wrongdoing) are punished, while Good Leaks (making Obama look good) are overlooked if not officially sanctioned,” Glenn Greenwald wrote in article on the Guardian website amid reports of a forthcoming book recounting the experiences of a US Navy Seal who participated in the alleged raid on Osama bin […]

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24 Aug, 2012

Cold War over, but vigilance still necessary – People’s Daily Online

As the world’s largest power, the US has the greediest pursuit of security. It often guards against other countries in an aggressive way, including adopting policies of containment. This is the real reason that post-Cold War global politics haven’t settled down strategically. The history of the Cold War may not be repeated between China and […]

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24 Aug, 2012

US should stop military build-up in Asia Pacific: China Daily

The US politicians have to understand that the biggest enemy their country faces is not China’s rise, which is inevitable. It is Washington’s inability to co-exist and cooperate with an emerging power. Washington should revise its false-hearted China policy, and keep good faith with the “stay-neutral” stance toward the regional territorial disputes. If the United […]

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24 Aug, 2012

Global Experts Poll: Economic Confidence at Lowest Level in Five Quarters

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Geneva, Switzerland, 22 August 2012 (World Economic Forum media release) – Confidence in the state of the world economy is at its lowest ebb since the World Economic Forum started its Global Confidence Index five quarters ago. The relative optimism of the previous quarter evaporated against a backdrop of slowing growth in the US and […]

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24 Aug, 2012

Pew Survey: The Lost Decade of the U.S. Middle Class

Pew Research Center

22 Aug 2012 – As the 2012 presidential candidates prepare their closing arguments to America’s middle class, they are courting a group that has endured a lost decade for economic well-being. Since 2000, the middle class has shrunk in size, fallen backward in income and wealth, and shed some—but by no means all—of its characteristic […]

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24 Aug, 2012

Corporate Culture Report Reveals a Need For Cultural Transformations

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Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) August 23, 2012 — Insigniam, an international management consulting firm, has released a corporate culture report that diagnoses the problems of corporate culture behind many organizations, such as BP, Penn State and Microsoft. These organizations have made the news due to issues with safety and policy, scandal and narrow profit margins. It […]

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23 Aug, 2012

French Tourists in Sri Lanka jailed for kissing a Buddha statue — RT

Three French tourists convicted in Sri Lanka for desecrating a temple by photographing themselves kissing and posing with a Buddha statue have been sentenced by magistrates to six months in jail, suspended for five years.­ One of the photographs featured a woman pretending to kiss the statue on the lips, and a man imitating the […]

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23 Aug, 2012

Brazil Invited to Join U.N. Palestinian Refugee Agency – Inter Press Service

“This is not a small conflict; it is central to our history and to our world today. Brazil is a world power – maybe Brazilians don’t yet fully appreciate that, but its economy, its political importance, its capacity to influence processes in the world have become much greater and, therefore, I hope that Brazil will […]

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23 Aug, 2012

MasterCard Survey: Parents of College Freshmen Worried About Children’s Ability to Manage Money

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PURCHASE, N.Y.- August 21, 2012 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–Almost 65 percent of parents of college-aged young adults worry most about their child’s ability to manage money and spend wisely, according to a recent MasterCard Student Transition survey. In fact, two in five parents believe their young adults will run out of money in the first month of […]

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23 Aug, 2012

Oct 7 Sewa Day Volunteers Stand up for Human Rights with Amnesty

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LONDON- August 21, 2012 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–A partnership between Sewa Day 2012, which encourages social action, good deeds and public service and Amnesty International, the campaigning human rights organisation has been announced. “We are very pleased that we are joining forces with Amnesty International. Through co-operating all our volunteers will receive support and materials, ensuring that […]

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23 Aug, 2012

Shoppers Leave Stores, Buy Online for Discounts as Low as 2.5%

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ST. LOUIS – August 20, 2012 – (BUSINESS WIRE)–Forty-five percent of customers shopping in-store at brick and mortar locations will walk out and complete their purchase online for a discount as low as 2.5%, new research from GroupM Next examining the showrooming trend reveals. This number jumps to 60% of shoppers who will leave and […]

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23 Aug, 2012

Hotel Chain Survey Reveals Mobile Device Habits of Business Travelers Worldwide

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STAMFORD, Conn.- August 20, 2012 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–When today’s road warriors hit the trail, they are armed with three or four mobile devices to help them stay connected to office and home. They are more inclined to carry a tablet than a laptop. And, when these business travelers communicate with the home front from their hotel […]

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23 Aug, 2012

Israel Needs to Step Up Fight Against Jewish ‘Settler Terrorism’ – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Seventeen mosques have already been torched within Israel proper and across the Green Line. Graffiti such as “Muhammad is a Pig” has been sprayed on the walls of mosques. Muslim cemeteries have been desecrated. Thousands of olive trees have been uprooted or set on fire. Property has been vandalized. If that were not enough, the […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Nazi extremists infiltrate US military — RT

Suspected Sikh temple shooter Wade Page served in the US military and also identified himself as a white nationalist. He wasn’t alone, though — violent extremists are believed to be doing a large chunk of their training under Uncle Sam’s command. Although the man authorities believe was single-handedly responsible for the shooting that left six […]

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22 Aug, 2012

What does Sikh massacre say about violence in America? – CNN.com

Amardeep Kaleka: Injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. This attack was predicated on hate. Too many hate groups exist right here in the United States, and terror can take many forms: from school bullies to conservative radio hosts spreading fear and distortions to racists spewing hate. And, of course, to psychotic loners. Violence has become […]

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22 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Planned war on Iran and the General who said No!

Today, General Dempsey, Chairman of America’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the man who flew to Tel Aviv and informed Netanyahu that America wanted no part of his scheming against Iran was the subject of an assassination attempt in Afghanistan. This wasn’t an act of terrorism or Taliban militants. It was a “mob hit” against someone […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Peter Jenkins, Asia Times Online : Will Iran be US’s Melos?

Foreign policy communities in the US, Israel and the United Kingdom have lost sight of the importance of upholding international law to preserve the post-1945 international system, which underpins Western security and prosperity. They have reverted to the belief in Realpolitik of an earlier age: state military power is a legitimate instrument for resolving disputes. […]

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22 Aug, 2012

U.N. Agencies Warn of Impact of Growing Droughts

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21 August 2012 (WMO/UNCCD) – The drought gripping the United States of America and the ripple effects on global food markets underline the vulnerability of our inter-connected world to a natural hazard that is expected to increase in future. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and other UN agencies […]

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22 Aug, 2012

NYPD Muslim Spying Admission Reveals: Millions Spent, No Leads Generated

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(NEW YORK, NY, 8/21/12, CAIR Press release) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today said that a recent admission by the New York Police Department (NYPD) that its program of spying on the Muslim community produced no criminal leads and did not result in a single terror-related case demonstrates […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Historic Pact Opens New Road Transport Route Between China, Viet Nam

22 August 2012  (ADB Press release) – For the first time, buses and trucks will be able to cross overland between the rugged southern regions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the remote northern regions of Viet Nam using a 1,300 kilometer route spanning from Ha Noi to Shenzhen made possible through a […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Palestinians To Make Fresh Bid for Nationhood – Inter Press Service

A year after their bid for statehood flopped in the United Nations’ Security Council, the Palestine Liberation Organisation is again planning to seek an upgrade in UN status. On Sep. 27, the PLO will approach the UN General Assembly in hopes of becoming a non-member observer state. If their bid is successful, the Palestinians will […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Which sectors can weather the economic crisis? – DW.DE

Business prospects for 2012 are bad. It’s not just Europe that’s in crisis. Emerging economies are also slowing down. But there are a number of sectors and countries able to flourish, despite these conditions. The bad news first: Analysts don’t know which industry branch is going to flourish. They say everything is much too interconnected, […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Earth approaches an irreversible tipping point – DW.DE

Current global consumption levels could result in a large-scale ecosystem collapse, according to a study conducted by a team of 22 international scientists. The researchers compared the biological impacts of major shifts in the state of the planet and published their results this week in the journal Nature. The researchers determined that population growth, destruction […]

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22 Aug, 2012

New Deal for Shipworkers: UN Treaty To Take Effect in 12 Months

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21 August 2012 (ILO News Release) – A comprehensive range of labour standards for the world’s 1.2 million merchant sailors, covering decent working conditions and health and safety issues, is now set to go into effect following its final two required ratifications, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) announced today. The ratification of the […]

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22 Aug, 2012

Family formula a smash hit for many German businesses – DW.DE

In spite of a handful of recent, spectacular bankruptcies by German family businesses – including drugstores chain Schlecker – such firms are generally more successful than others in Germany. Of the 2.058 trillion euros in revenues generated by Germany’s 100 biggest companies last year, family business accounted for 915 billion euros in annual turnover. via […]

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22 Aug, 2012

US conducts experiment on survival on Muslim world – English pravda.ru

It seems that the U.S. is conducting an experiment on survival on the Muslim world, constantly keeping it in a boiling state. First, the collapse of Yugoslavia under the genocide sauce of Bosnian Muslims, then the creation of semi-state entity of Kosovo that has become a nightmare for Europe. The Islamic world has “swallowed” the […]

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21 Aug, 2012

Va. veteran detained after strident Facebook posts

Raub’s mother, Cathleen Thomas, said by telephone that the government had overstepped its bounds. “The bottom line is his freedom of speech has been violated,” she said. Thomas said her son, who served tours as a combat engineer in Iraq and Afghanistan, is “concerned about all the wars we’ve experienced” and believes the U.S. government […]

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21 Aug, 2012

China: U.S. Must Hand Over Internet Control To The World

Although the travel & tourism industry has moved rapidly to capitalise on the business-generating opportunities of the Communications and Information Revolution, it is lagging way behind in understanding how this same revolution is impacting on safety, security, privacy, health, society and fundamental democratic human rights. Actions being taken, or sometimes not taken, by governments, multinational […]

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21 Aug, 2012

App Delivers Real-Time Web and Social Network Content About Visited Spots

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BOULDER, Colo.- August 20, 2012-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tagwhat, the mobile tour guide for the world, today announced the launch of the Tagwhat Superslider and Travel Log. With the Tagwhat Superslider, the multimedia stories Tagwhat currently provides to your smartphone about the places around you will be supplemented with real-time feeds from Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare related to […]

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21 Aug, 2012

Travelocity Reveals Top 10 Most Popular Destinations for U.S. Labor Day Weekend

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SOUTHLAKE, Texas–August 15, 2012–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching, and many travelers are looking to get away one final time before summer ends. Travelocity analyzed its Labor Day booking data to find the price to beat as well as the most popular Labor Day destinations, and some spots that are gaining in popularity this […]

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21 Aug, 2012

Skyscanner: Five Ways Young People Can Pay for A Gap Year

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EDINBURGH, Scotland–August 17, 2012–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thousands of young people got their A Level results this week, but thanks to high tuition fees and few job opportunities, it’s no surprise that so many are opting to taking gap years and have fun while they can. Common choices for working abroad include teaching English, fruit-picking in Australia and […]

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21 Aug, 2012

PressTV – UK airlines cut costs along with safety

“There is pressure on pilots by airlines to carry minimum fuel because it costs money to carry the extra weight, and that is quite significant over a year,” a retired pilot told the Exaro website. Safety chiefs at the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) say the airlines are carrying the minimum reserve fuel possible to […]

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21 Aug, 2012

Daniel Ellsberg: I Congratulate Ecuador for Standing Up to British Empire

Daniel Ellsberg, the most famous whistleblower in the United States, praises Ecuador for granting political asylum to Julian Assange to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning over sex crime accusations. “I congratulate Ecuador, of course, for standing up to the British Empire here, for insisting that they are not a British colony, and acting as […]

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20 Aug, 2012

A Glimpse Of Muslim Life In Japan

Compiled by Imtiaz & Sana Muqbil

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the Islamic world for the week ending 20 August 2012 (02 Shawwala 1433). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.

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20 Aug, 2012

Chris Hedges: The War in the Shadows – Truthdig

All states and armed groups recruit and use members of this underclass. These personalities gravitate to intelligence agencies, terrorist cells, homeland security, police departments, the special forces and revolutionary groups where they can live a life freed from moral and legal constraints. Right and wrong are banished from their vocabulary. They disdain the constraints of […]

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19 Aug, 2012

The new totalitarianism of surveillance technology – Naomi Wolf, guardian.co.uk

I then noticed, some months later, that these bizarre camera/lights had been installed not only all around Union Square but also around Washington Square Park. I posted a photo I took of them, and asked: “What is this?” Commentators who had lived in China said that they were the same camera/streetlight combinations that are mounted […]

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19 Aug, 2012

Running On Empty: Big Airlines In Big Trouble By Andrew McKay

For the majority of us with regular jobs who fly economy air travel is increasingly becoming like its land-based cousin: cramped, overcrowded and at times downright unpleasant. Air travel has always been a fickle business, earning an average net profit of one to two percent, compared with an average of over five percent for U.S. […]

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19 Aug, 2012

The 1 Percent Has Nearly Tripled Its Share of America’s Income

Released yesterday, the study [PDF] is a product of years of researchers delving into IRS and Census Bureau records. It says that not only have income disparities vastly increased, but that the reason they’ve increased is due in large part to a combination of uneven income stream distribution and changes in the tax laws to […]

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19 Aug, 2012

From Denmark To Bhutan: The Policies Of Happiness By Colin Todhunter

In 2006, the first ‘Happy Planet Index’ (HPI) measured happiness across 178 countries. The small south Pacific island of Vanuatu was the happiest nation. Germany ranked 81st, Japan 95th and the US 150th. Various surveys have indicated that while wealthy western nations use up vast quantities of the world’s scarce resources, many of their citizens […]

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19 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Jerusalem Day demos held in Istanbul, other Turkish cities

Muslims in Turkey have held demonstrations on International Quds Day to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn the crimes committed by Israel. Crowds of people gathered in Istanbul on Friday to stand up for the rights of the oppressed Palestinians. Quds Day demonstrations were also held in Ankara and other cities in Turkey. […]

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19 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Americans tired of Netanyahu’s clownish anti-Iran threats

We have one thing in our news every day now, secret plans Israel leaks about their upcoming “shock and awe” attack on Iran. We don’t get it once a week, it’s a new story every 2 hours on every network, every paper. Then come the admissions, that Israel can’t attack anyone without America doing the […]

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19 Aug, 2012

PressTV – ‘We are not a British colony”, Ecuadorian FM says

The announcement came after the British government threatened to storm the Ecuadorean Embassy in London, where Assange has taken refuge since two months ago. Far from being intimidated by the threat, Rafael Correa, the president of Ecuador, granted Assange political asylum and his foreign minister declared that “We want to be very clear, we are […]

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19 Aug, 2012

Please, sir, can I have some less? – SMH

Suddenly abstinence is fashionable. Not only did BHP follow its rival in abandoning bonuses for its top executives due to multibillion-dollar write-downs in recently purchased assets, it also chose the same way of presenting the news. The pitch was that forgoing the bonus was a voluntary initiative by the executives involved, an offer accepted by […]

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19 Aug, 2012

‘Sikhs are not Muslims’ sends a sinister message – GulfNews.com

The assertion that Sikhs are not Muslims is certainly true. Jains are not Hindus, and Mormons are not Methodists either. But in the post-9/11 context of a deadly act committed by an apparent white supremacist against a congregation that is largely ethnically South Asian — a congregation that includes bearded men in turbans — broadcasting […]

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18 Aug, 2012

PressTV – Survey reveals US covers up civilian victims of drone strikes in Pakistan

Detailed information from the families of those killed in US drone strikes in Pakistan and from local sources show that the majority of the causalities have been civilians. The data from the two separate sources covering 24 drone strikes from 2008 through 2011 show that civilian casualties accounted for 74 percent of the death toll […]

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18 Aug, 2012

India Economic Outlook 2012-13: Free Download

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Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister released the document ‘Economic Outlook 2012-13’ at a Press Conference in New Delhi on 17 August. Following are the highlights of the document: Economy to grow at 6.7 per cent in 2012/13 Farm sector GDP projected to grow at 0.5 per cent in 2012/13 […]

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18 Aug, 2012

Advice For All Those Nearing Retirement: Live Within Your Means

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — More Americans find themselves less prepared for retirement, using their long-term savings to pay today’s bills, and risking a delayed or financially insecure retirement. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”) Consumer Advocate, Eleanor Blayney, CFP says though that even in the face of economic hardship, it’s […]

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18 Aug, 2012

Guns Will Kill 48,000 Americans in the Next President’s Term – If Washington Fails to Act

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NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Sixty-seven family members of victims and survivors of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting today sent a letter to President Obama and Governor Romney demanding they develop a plan to fix the broken U.S. background check system that regularly allows guns to be sold to dangerous people, including the […]

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18 Aug, 2012

Meet the Soldiers Who Refuse to Kill – Alternet

The beginnings of resistance among the troops arose out of their growing awareness that their commanders were using them in a competition for the most fire fights, the most kills, and the most prisoners. The needs of this competition outweighed justice or even strategy. Returning to base with innocent prisoners was far preferable to returning […]

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18 Aug, 2012

‘Theatrical On Demand’ democratizes film distribution in the US — RT

Web-based service Gathr has been called the “love child of Netflix and Kickstarter”. It democratizes theatrical distribution by allowing film fans to organize a theatrical screening of a movie virtually anywhere in the US. It works for classics, independent features, niche films, cause-driven documentaries and even foreign movies that are of interest exclusively within the […]

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18 Aug, 2012

US companies pay more to their CEOs, than to the US Government – study — RT

CEO of Boeing James McNerney Jr. got $18.4 million in pay last year while his company received a tax refund of $605 million. The study also laid into Citigroup for paying CEO Vikram Pandit $14.9 million while the bank received $144 million in net tax benefits. According to the study, the US corporate tax code […]

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18 Aug, 2012

Israelis oppose war with Iran despite govt’s hawkish stance — RT

Tel Aviv’s bellicose stance against Iran’s nuclear program has sparked a pushback in Israeli society against politicians’ ambitions to strike Iran, with many demanding a peaceful resolution to tensions.­ More than 400 Israelis, including prominent academics, have signed an online petition appealing to Israel Defense Forces IDF pilots not to obey hypothetical orders to bomb […]

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18 Aug, 2012

Delhi airport scam: GMR-led DIAL gains Rs 3,415 cr – Indian Express

Government auditor CAG today slammed the government for giving out Delhi airport and its land with a potential earning capacity of Rs 1,63,557 crore to private-led operator DIAL which made a total equity contribution of only Rs 2,450 crore. With an equity contribution of Rs 2,450 crore of which the private GMR-led consortium’s share was […]

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17 Aug, 2012

Pakistani film ‘Lamha’ bags two awards at NYC film festival – Indian Express

Pakistani film “Lamha (Seedlings)” has bagged two awards at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) this year. “Lamha” won the People’s Choice Award for the Best Feature Film award and Aamina Sheikh won the Best Actress in Leading Role award for the film. The film was awarded at a gala ceremony at the […]

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17 Aug, 2012

Hedge funds bet on oil spike as Israel attack fears grow – Ahram Online

Hedge funds are quietly laying new bets on a potential spike in oil prices tied to the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran, skewing the options market to a bullish bias for the first time in six months. Activity is muted so far by the summer lull, but could pick up in September.The renewed […]

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