31 Oct, 2013

New Islamic Economic Forum Digital Era Projects $1.2 Trillion Global Trade Increase

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 30, 2013 – In the presence of seventeen State Leaders and witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohamed Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Patron of the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation, the WIEF publicly announced a landmark MOU between the Global Coalition for Efficient Logistics (GCEL) and the Islamic Center for Development of […]

31 Oct, 2013

Foreign investors eye Indonesia’s small islands | The Jakarta Post

The beauty of the archipelago has charmed a number of foreign investors to pour some of their money into the development of ecotourism on Indonesia’s small islands. Swedish Ambassador Ewa Polano said on Tuesday that Indonesia, which had an immense number of small islands, offered lots of potential for ecotourism that businesses and local communities […]

31 Oct, 2013

PATA CEO Fudges Role as Panel Moderator at ITB Asia

Imtiaz Muqbil

Singapore, 24 Oct 2013 – For those who have seen PATA at its peak, to see it playing a distant second-fiddle on the ITB Asia media events programme was a sorry experience. Even more grim was to see its ongoing struggle for relevance as it tried, vainly, to honour the promise to offer “valuable new […]

31 Oct, 2013

ABC apology fails to appease Chinese Americans – People’s Daily Online

An Asian-American rights group has expressed its dissatisfaction with ABC’s apology over the inappropriate handling of children’s remarks in a TV show, Sing Tao Daily has reported. In ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” one child suggested that a solution to the U.S. sovereign debt issue could be to “kill everyone in China,” and another suggested putting […]

31 Oct, 2013

NSA infiltrates links to Yahoo!, Google data centres worldwide, Edward Snowden documents say

Washington: The US National Security Agency has secretly broken into the main communications links that connect Yahoo! and Google data centre around the world, according to documents obtained from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and interviews with knowledgeable officials. By tapping those links, the agency has positioned itself to collect at will from among hundreds […]

31 Oct, 2013

Australia’s Asia spy network exposed – Sydney Morning Herald

Australia’s electronic spy agency is using the nation’s embassies to intercept phone calls and internet data in neighbouring countries, according to new information disclosed by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden and a former Australian intelligence officer. The secret Defence Signals Directorate operates clandestine surveillance facilities at embassies without the knowledge of most Australian diplomats. Fairfax Media […]

29 Oct, 2013

Obama, Congress Owe Snowden Thanks, and a Pardon – Truthdig

Now we know that even the president needs leaks from Edward Snowden to be fully informed about the dastardly acts of his own top spy agency. It was Snowden’s recent revelations that led Obama to order an investigation into spying on private communications of 35 world leaders, including our closest allies, a clear betrayal of […]

29 Oct, 2013

What Happens to Customer Reward Points and Miles After You Die?

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CINCINNATI-October 24, 2013-(BUSINESS WIRE)–None of us wants our dying words to be, “Make sure you redeem all my points and miles.” So plan ahead. Research released today by COLLOQUY shows the after-death transfer to loved ones or friends of rewards earned in customer loyalty programs may not always go as smoothly as expected or desired. […]

29 Oct, 2013

Wynn Resorts 3Q 2013 Earnings Up 9.6% in Macau, only 1.1% in Vegas

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LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–24/10/2013 – Wynn Resorts, Limited (Nasdaq:WYNN) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013. Net revenues for the third quarter of 2013 were $1,390.1 million, compared to $1,298.5 million in the third quarter of 2012. The increase was driven by a 9.6% revenue increase from its Macau operations and […]

29 Oct, 2013

Indian President Warns: Water Security Crises Likely as Demand Outstrips Supply

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President’s Secretariat, 28-October, 2013 – The following is the full text of the speech by the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee at the inauguration of the Second India Water Forum 2013 organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) 1. It is indeed a privilege for me to be present amidst you this morning […]

28 Oct, 2013

Iran Mulls Selective Visa-on-Arrival Facilities

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 28 October 2013 (23 Dhul Ḥijjah 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.

28 Oct, 2013

UN Rights Experts Urge Transparency In Use Of Armed Drones, Citing Risks Of Illegal Use

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Oct 25 2013 – Expressing concern about the potential for illegal use of armed unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, two United Nations human rights experts today called on States to be transparent in their use, to investigate allegations of unlawful killings and to respect the full range of applicable […]

28 Oct, 2013

Myanmar: UN Expert Urges Greater Efforts To Curb Anti-Muslim Sentiment

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) Oct 25 2013 – The United Nations expert on Myanmar today cautioned that the situation in Rakhine State is feeding a winder anti-Muslim narrative in the country which threatens the ongoing reform process aimed at a more open and broad-based democracy. Speaking to journalists in New York, the UN Special […]

28 Oct, 2013

UN-Backed Forum On Internet Governance Sees NSA Spying as “Major Emerging Issue”

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) Oct 25 2013 – While reaffirming the need to strengthen the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance, the United Nations-backed forum on the issue, known as the IGF, concluded today in Bali, Indonesia with an acknowledgement that surveillance is the major emerging issue of the year. Over four days, the Internet […]

28 Oct, 2013

Brand USA faces tough media barrage at ITB Asia

Imtiaz Muqbil

SINGAPORE, 23 Oct 2013 – The Brand USA delegation at the ITB Asia press conference faced a barrage of questions about visa delays, lengthy CIQ queues, the U.S. government shutdown, shootings in public places and the impact of superhero Hollywood movies on the country’s “image”. Although Mr Jay Gray, Vice President of Global Partnership Development […]

28 Oct, 2013

Head of Ritz-Carlton Osaka claims deceiving menus were just honest mistake | The Japan Times

JIJI, Oct 26, 2013, OSAKA – False food menus at the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, a luxury hotel affiliated with Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., were caused by human error, the establishment’s general manager said Saturday. At a news conference, Oriol Montal apologized for the incident, which he said was caused by a lack of knowledge and training […]

28 Oct, 2013

No business like war business – DAWN.COM

Humanity has always been fascinated by wars, soldiers, blood, and gore. As a result, children from just about every culture have grown up on a steady diet of heroic battles, deeds, and heroes. So it was only natural for cinema to pick up from where theater and books (and comics) had left off. The first […]

26 Oct, 2013

The future of Laos: A bleak landscape | The Economist

From a window seat flying above Laos a visitor gets a sense of the state’s weaknesses. Deforestation stretches all the way to the Chinese border. It is so recent and so extreme that scientists from Sweden’s Lund university picked Laos as a testing ground for a new method of monitoring economic activity from space. By […]

26 Oct, 2013

32 tips to get your kids back outdoors – theguardian.com

Outdoor games such as den-building and hide-and-seek seem to belong to a bygone era, having been ousted from children’s affections by tablets, games consoles and smartphones. However, a new campaign launched last night is aiming to challenge this trend, and take steps towards “rewilding” our kids. The Wild Network – a newly formed group of […]

25 Oct, 2013

Rahul Gandhi: BJP inciting Hindus against Muslims

Stating that communal forces had killed his grandmother and father and “will probably kill me too”, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on the BJP on Wednesday, accusing it of inciting Hindus against Muslims. He also targeted the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, as he drew a veiled analogy between the recent […]

25 Oct, 2013

Shot and Killed at Work? It Happened to 375 People Last Year. | Alternet

It’s every employer’s worst nightmare. An angry employee with a gun takes out his revenge on a boss, coworkers or both. Last year, Andrew J. Engeldinger did it when he killed five and injured three after being fired from his job at Accent Signage Systems in Minneapolis. Lawrence Jones did it when he killed two […]

25 Oct, 2013

NSA Monitored Calls of 35 World Leaders | Alternet

October 24, 2013 | The National Security Agency monitored the phone conversations of 35 world leaders after being given the numbers by an official in another US government department, according to a classified document provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The confidential memo reveals that the NSA encourages senior officials in its “customer” departments, such the […]

24 Oct, 2013

India, China Links to be guided by “Five Principles of Panchsheel”

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New Delhi, Prime Minister’s Office, 23-October, 2013 – India and China have issued a Joint Statement that headlined, “A vision for future development of strategic and cooperative partnership”. It commits the two countries to following the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence [Panchsheel] in guiding bilateral links across all sectors, from economic development to settling border […]

24 Oct, 2013

State of Economy will Influence U.S. Consumers to Save Heavily this Holiday Season

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AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — With Black Friday fast approaching, consumer confidence may have an impact on holiday shopping. The current state of the economy will drive 41% of consumers to look for ways to save money on their holiday shopping this year, seeking out bargains and coupons. In response to the economic doldrums […]

24 Oct, 2013

U.S. College Students in Competition on How to Solve National Debt

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October 16, 2013 – WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Up to Us announced its second annual nationwide competition challenging college students to increase awareness and engagement among their peers on an issue critical to their future – the nation’s long-term fiscal path. The competition, sponsored by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), and Net […]

24 Oct, 2013

Gender Diversity Index 2013: Women Make Steady Progress in U.S. Company Boardrooms

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BOSTON-(BUSINESS WIRE)-October 21, 2013-Women continue to make steady gains in the boardrooms of Fortune 1000 companies, according to the third annual 2020 Women on Boards Gender Diversity Index of Fortune 1000 Companies released today. Women now hold 16.6% of Fortune 1000 companies, up from 14.6 % in 2011. The 2020 Gender Diversity Index uses the […]

24 Oct, 2013

U.S. Retail Federation: ‘Legislating from Crisis to Crisis is No Way to Govern’

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE) – October 16, 2013  -The National Retail Federation today released the following statement from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay on the expected decision to reopen the government and delay the debate on the debt ceiling: “While there is some satisfaction at achieving a deal, today’s agreement between the House and Senate merely […]

24 Oct, 2013

Global Trades Union Warning: Developing Countries will be Losers in new Global I.T. Pact

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22 October 2013 (International Trades Union Congress media release) : The ITUC together with 163 other trade union and civil society organisations and trade unions are raising concerns over a proposed expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (“ITA II”) being negotiated at the World Trade Organisation. A joint letter to WTO member points to the […]

24 Oct, 2013

Trades Union Call: Time for Starbucks to Stop Union Busting in Chile

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23 October 2013 (International Trades Union Congress media release): The ITUC is extremely concerned about the situation of workers’ rights at Starbucks in Chile. In October, as it announced record profits, the company rejected all Starbucks Workers´ Union demands, included in a draft collective agreement. Alleging damage to its competitiveness, the company has said it […]

24 Oct, 2013

American Indian Movement and National Coalition on Racism in Sports & Media Declare Nov 7, 2013 “R” Day

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MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–(Full unedited text of the official media release) – The American Indian Movement (AIM) and the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media (The Coalition) announced today that because non-indigenous people have stolen portions of the sacred culture, heritage, religion and images of the Native American Nations for use and abuse by sports […]

24 Oct, 2013

McAfee Survey: Older Users of Social Networks Are Up, But Face More Threats

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October 23, 2013, SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–McAfee today released findings from the company’s first survey dedicated to uncovering the online habits and behaviors of individuals ages 50-75. The study, “Fifty Plus Booms Online” indicates that the 50+ demographic is spending a great deal of time online these days (an average of five hours a day), […]

24 Oct, 2013

STB Chief Open to Talks with Tourism Civil Society Groups for Inclusion in TravelRave Programme

By Imtiaz Muqbil at ITB Asia

Singapore: Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, says he is open to talks with civil society and non-governmental organisations about holding forums and events as part of an effort to broaden the knowledge-base content of TravelRave and ITB Asia. In his opening comments at the ITB Asia launch press conference on 23 […]

23 Oct, 2013

The Hidden Corporate Cash Behind America’s Out-of-Control National Surveillance State | Alternet

October 21, 2013 – Long before President Obama kicked off his 2008 campaign, many Americans took it for granted that George W. Bush’s vast, sprawling national security apparatus needed to be reined in. For Democrats, many independents, and constitutional experts of various persuasions, Vice President Dick Cheney’s notorious doctrine of the “unitary executive” (which holds […]

23 Oct, 2013

German Pilots Grounded as $92,000 Tuition Can’t Bring Job – Bloomberg

Oct. 23 (Bloomberg)– Christopher Siem is spending 70,000 euros ($92,000) out of his own pocket to train as a pilot, a job where the unemployment rate is twice the German average. Siem, 24, is among Germany’s aspiring pilots whose dreams of a career in the cockpit have been dented as the country’s airlines slash their […]

23 Oct, 2013

Russia, China to Jointly Produce Long Range Passenger Jet – Moscow Times

Russia and China are expected to complete the design of a new wide-body aircraft for long-distance flights by the end of the year, Deputy Premier Dmitry Rogozin told journalists Wednesday during his visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.By the next year the sides will be ready to begin discussing joint production of the new plane, […]

23 Oct, 2013

New EU rules to strengthen online privacy in wake of NSA snooping – AP

BRUSSELS, AP, Oct 22, 2013 – A European Parliament committee on Monday approved sweeping new data protection rules that would strengthen online privacy and outlaw the kind of data transfers that the United States used for its secret spying program. The draft regulation was beefed up to include even more stringent privacy protection and stiff […]

23 Oct, 2013

Passport replacement fees waived for Australian bushfire victims

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Canberra, 22 October 2013 – Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says all fees will be waived for those seeking to replace current passports lost or destroyed in the bushfires. “I extend my deepest sympathy to those affected by the bushfires in the Blue Mountains and Central Coast of New South Wales,” Ms Bishop said. “As […]

23 Oct, 2013

Call for Presentations at UNWTO Knowledge Network Symposium, TedQual Information Seminar

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The following is an announcement about the new deadline of proposal submission (28 Oct 2013) to the  UNWTO Knowledge Network Symposium and the UNWTO TedQual Information Seminar to be held on 16-17 November 2013 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, P.R. China. The Symposium, scheduled for 16 November, will provide a unique […]

23 Oct, 2013

Why I Will Never, Ever, Go Back to the United States | Alternet

October 17, 2013 – I was going to take the train from Montreal to New Orleans. The travels I had been undertaking earlier this year had brought me to places that were meant to form the background of my second novel. This trip, however, was for my dad. He, a trumpet player, loved New Orleans […]

23 Oct, 2013

Billion Dollar Pay Check? 10 CEOs in America Break All Records for Executive Pay | Alternet

October 22, 2013 | For the first time ever, the 10 highest-paid chief executives in the US all received more than $100m in compensation and two took home billion-dollar paychecks, according to a leading annual survey of executive pay. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s co-founder, was the US’s highest paid boss last year, according to GMI Ratings […]

23 Oct, 2013

UN Experts On Indigenous Issues Urge Greater Focus On Environment, Women’s Rights

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), Oct 22 2013 – While there have been encouraging responses to human rights concerns of indigenous peoples and to helping States and other stakeholders address them, the realities for indigenous groups remain a concern, a United Nations expert has noted. “Although I’m encouraged by positive developments in many places…I remain […]

23 Oct, 2013

Oct 26: Civil Rights Groups to Organise ‘Stop Watching Us’ Rally Against NSA Spying

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WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/21/2013 — On October 26, thousands of civil rights activists will participate in the “Stop Watching Us” rally against mass surveillance at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Taking place on the 12th anniversary of the USA PATRIOT Act, the rally demands that Congress provide transparency, accountability and reform of the NSA’s mass […]

21 Oct, 2013

Standing ovations for visually-impaired Egyptian musicians in Germany

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 21 October 2013 (16 Dhul Ḥijjah 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.

20 Oct, 2013

US debt surges $328 billion in single day, surpassing $17 trillion for first time — RT USA

Just one day after President Barack Obama signed into law a bipartisan deal to end the government shutdown and avoid default, the US debt surged a record $328 billion, the first day the government was able to borrow money. Fasten your seatbelt, because the US debt rate is racing out of control and nobody seems […]

20 Oct, 2013

Study: “30 minutes of cellphone use per day leads to 40% increased risk of brain tumor”

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New York, New York (PRWEB) October 16, 2013 – As cell phone radiation lawsuits (http://www.consumerinjurylawyers.com/cell-phone-radiation-lawsuit.html) continue to move forward in courts around the U.S., Bernstein Liebhard LLP notes a French safety watchdog has issued new recommendations regarding the use of cell phones by children. According to a report published by The Telegraph, the National Agency […]

20 Oct, 2013

Buddhist-Muslim Forum on Peace & Sustainability to be held in KL, Nov 1

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Two leading social activists and thinkers from Thailand and Malaysia are to be amongst main speakers at an International Buddhist-Muslim Forum on Peace And Sustainability to be organised in Kuala Lumpur on 01 November 2013. The forum is being organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) […]

20 Oct, 2013

Pakistan says 400 civilians killed by U.S. drone strikes – The Independent

Over two thousand people living in Pakistan have been killed by drone strikes in the past decade, according to a UN human rights investigator calling for America to release death toll figures. Of the 2,200 dead, 400 were civilians and an additional 200 victims were deemed “probable non-combatants Ben Emmerson, UN special rapporteur on human […]

20 Oct, 2013

TSA air marshal caught taking photos under skirts — RT USA

A federal air marshal was arrested after being accused of snapping cellphone photographs underneath women’s skirts and dresses as they boarded a flight in Nashville, TN on Thursday. The 28-year-old marshal, Adam Joseph Bartsch, of Rockville, MD was charged with disorderly conduct by police. He admitted to the crime, and has been relieved of his […]

20 Oct, 2013

Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism – The Electronic Intifada

When the Zionist movement appeared in Eastern Europe in the 1880s, it found it very difficult to persuade the leading rabbis and secular Jewish thinkers of the day to support it. The leading rabbis saw the political history in the Bible and the idea of Jewish sovereignty on the land of Israel as very marginal […]

19 Oct, 2013

Chinese rating agency cuts U.S. credit rating, cites lingering insolvency fears

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) — Dagong Global Credit Rating Co. Ltd., a Chinese credit rating agency, on Thursday downgraded the local and foreign currency credit ratings of the United States to A- from A, maintaining a negative outlook. The decision came shortly after the U.S. Congress approved the resolution to end the partial government shutdown […]

19 Oct, 2013

China plans films to highlight culture, lifestyle of all its minorities

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Beijing, (Xinhua), October 14, 2013 – Chinese government will produce at least one film for each of its 55 ethnic minorities, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission announced on Sunday. At a ceremony, names of four proposed films featuring Mongol, Dong and Manchu minorities were unveiled. These films will showcase the culture and life of the […]

19 Oct, 2013

More Chinese students returning home after studying abroad

By WANG HONGYI

Shanghai, 2013-10-17 (China Daily) – Facing a stagnant economic situation overseas, more Chinese students are returning home after studying overseas, a trend that looks likely to continue in coming years, a report released this week says. The report on the situation in 2013, conducted by the Chinese international education service provider EIC, said 22 percent […]

19 Oct, 2013

UN issues report on role of women in conflict prevention, building peace & security

United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Oct 18 2013 – The United Nations Security Council and senior UN officials today issued a strong call on the international community to strengthen its commitment to ensuring that women play a more prominent role in conflict prevention, resolution and in post-war peacebuilding. Unanimously adopting a new resolution this […]

19 Oct, 2013

Thai Central Bank Chief tells US to take same medicine IMF prescribed to Asia in 1997

By Gary Schwarz

Beijing, 2013-10-17 (China Daily) – Before and after last weekend’s annual World Bank/IMF meeting, financial leaders from across the globe presented their views on the world economy at Harvard University. What did their views have in common? And what do they imply for China? All the financial leaders voiced concern over the failure to lift […]

19 Oct, 2013

Confucian wisdom opens new chapter in China-ASEAN ties

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) — “Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity.” The ancient Chinese philosophy championed by Confucius has had far-reaching influence on the values of the Chinese people. In the contacts and exchanges with ASEAN countries, China’s policy of seeking good-neighborliness, concord and win-win cooperation has perfectly conveyed its diplomatic concept. At this crucial […]

19 Oct, 2013

Xinhua News Analysis: Risks linger despite U.S. debt resolution

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BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) — The U.S. decision on Thursday to once again lift its debt limit has been welcomed but risks remain, according to to Chinese financial experts. The U.S. congress passed a deal to lift the U.S. government’s borrowing limit, in an effort to pull the country from the brink of a debt […]

19 Oct, 2013

Resolution on child brides: India has let down its girl children – Hindustan Times

Most children have at some point of time played ‘house’, designating roles of husband and wife to dolls, making them cook invisible food in miniature utensils, often adding a baby doll to the family. Now replace these dolls with real children, and it is not a cute game anymore. It is the ugly face of […]

19 Oct, 2013

UK Employers should raise low-paid workers’ wages to tackle ‘in-work poverty’ – The Independent

Employers should increase the wages of their low-paid workers to tackle the scourge of “in-work poverty” in Britain, the Government’s watchdog on poverty recommended today. In its first “state of the nation” report, the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission proposed cuts in perks for well-off pensioners, such as free TV licences and winter fuel […]

19 Oct, 2013

Extent of spy agencies’ surveillance to be investigated by parliamentary body – Guardian

The extent and scale of mass surveillance undertaken by Britain’s spy agencies is to be scrutinised in a major inquiry to be formally launched on Thursday. Parliament’s intelligence and security committee (ISC), the body tasked with overseeing the work of GCHQ, MI5 and MI6, will say the investigation is a response to concern raised by […]

19 Oct, 2013

Russia to Spend $63Bln on Arctic Development – RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, October 18 (RIA Novosti) – Russia plans to spend 2 trillion rubles ($63 billion) by 2020 on a strategic program to develop the Arctic, a senior government official said Friday. Regional Development Minister Igor Slyunyayev said the draft program for economic and social projects in the Arctic could be submitted to the Cabinet by […]

19 Oct, 2013

Radiation levels soar in Fukushima N-plant well water – Jiji Press

Jiji Press — Oct 18 – Tokyo Electric Power Co. on Friday reported a surge in the levels of radioactive materials in water from an observation well at its Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in northeastern Japan. The firm said that 400,000 becquerels per liter of beta ray-emitting substances such as strontium were detected […]

18 Oct, 2013

Safeguard economy by reversing present form of globalisation – Hindustan Times

Why should the world watch with increasing trepidation, the impending default of the United States’ debt payments? If a global economic meltdown worse than in 2008 stares at us, we should be asking some serious questions about the form of globalisation that has made us so vulnerable. And what is common between this and the […]

18 Oct, 2013

UN rapporteur Christof Heyns condemns use of drone strikes – theguardian.com

Deploying drone strikes as a form of global policing undermines international security and will encourage more states and terrorist groups to acquire unmanned weapons, a UN report has warned. The study has been submitted to UN general assembly by Christof Heyns, a South African law professor who is the organisation’s special rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary […]

17 Oct, 2013

Danish Operator Wins Innovation Award for Coach-Cycle Road Tour Concept

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Kortrijk (IRU media release) 17 Oct 2013 – The IRU Coach Tourism Innovation Award 2013 was attributed to the Danish family-owned coach company Papuga A/S, for its “Let’s Cycle Together” concept, which allows cycling enthusiasts – clubs, companies, individuals – to tour Europe by coach  with their bicycles, revealing a market potential that can attract […]

17 Oct, 2013

European MPs support ITU push to create a universal mobile phone charger

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Geneva, 17 October 2013 (ITU media release) – Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have embraced an opportunity to mandate the use of universal charging solutions for mobile phones. An amendment to the Radio Equipment Directive of the European Parliament will require radio equipment – and in particular, mobile phones – to be compatible with a […]

17 Oct, 2013

Multinationals, economists and media they control will continue to lead people astray

By OP Rana

Beijing, 2013-10-15, (China Daily) – This world of ours is flush with ideas, ideas that generate in the minds of ordinary people as well those who occupy the opulent interiors of glitzy edifices. One would imagine that the ideas engendered by all the minds would combine to chart the course of the world. But if […]

17 Oct, 2013

Chinese Mainland-Taiwan individual travelers surge

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BEIJING, 2013-10-16, (Xinhua) — Individual tourists from the mainland to Taiwan outnumbered those on package tours during the recent seven-day holiday, said a mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday. About 23,600 independent tourists from the mainland visited Taiwan from Oct 1 to 7, up 144.25 percent over the same holiday last year, said Fan Liqing, spokeswoman with […]

17 Oct, 2013

Advancing the internationalization of the renminbi

By Bob Gay

Beijing, 2013-10-16, (China Daily) – The European Central Bank’s announcement of a new $350 billion swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China on Oct 10 comes at a curious time. Namely, we suspect that the current dysfunction in Washington may have accelerated the ECB’s discussions on the matter and may have tipped the scales […]

17 Oct, 2013

The fatality of America’s debt addiction

By Prof Lu Feng, Peking University

Beijing, 2013-10-16, (China Daily) – The stalemate between US President Barack Obama’s administration and Republican- majority House of Representatives over raising America’s debt ceiling has partly shut down the federal government since Oct 1. On Oct 10, Obama rejected Republicans’ offer of increasing the debt ceiling for six weeks, aiming to push the negotiations’ deadline […]

17 Oct, 2013

China Plans Nationwide, Lifelong Health Care System

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Beijing, 2013-10-16 (China Daily) – According to guidelines issued by the State Council on Monday, the country will strive to set up a national health service system, spanning cradle to grave, and lift the value of the sector to more than 8 trillion yuan ($1.31 trillion) by 2020. To facilitate the plan’s fulfillment, the government […]

17 Oct, 2013

Tepco’s toxic water failures pitiful: NRA | The Japan Times

Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s efforts to keep radioactive water at its stricken Fukushima No. 1 power station from spilling into the sea have been ineffective, according to the Nuclear Regulation Authority. “Our conclusion is that little effect has been seen” in Tepco’s measures, NRA Commissioner Toyoshi Fuketa said at an NRA panel meeting Tuesday, citing […]

17 Oct, 2013

S. Korea introduces ‘Gangnam Style’ tourist police force – The Independent

South Korea today introduced their new “tourist police force” as handpicked officers dressed in uniforms created by one of the costume designers behind popstar Psy’s image were showcased in a ‘Gangnam style’ launch. One hundred young officers, chosen for their specific linguistic abilities, formed the first batch of police tasked with assisting tourists who feel […]

16 Oct, 2013

PLOS Medicine: The 2003 Iraq War and Avoidable Death Toll

Salman Rawaf In 2003, the war in Iraq attracted worldwide interest as the systematic failure of coalition and Iraqi politicians to stabilise the country [15],[16] led to atrocities by the military and sectarian insurgents against innocent civilians. During this conflict, mortality surveys were conducted to assess the impact of the invasion and subsequent terrors. However, […]

16 Oct, 2013

“America suffers from a culture of violence”: Ron Paul’s farewell address to Congress

America now suffers from a culture of violence. It’s easy to reject the initiation of violence against one’s neighbor but it’s ironic that the people arbitrarily and freely anoint government officials with monopoly power to initiate violence against the American people—practically at will. Because it’s the government that initiates force, most people accept it as […]

16 Oct, 2013

FREE Download: UNCTAD Report says New Policies Needed to Navigate New Dynamics of Global Economy

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United Nations, Oct 14 2013 (UN News Centre) – Countries must adopt new economic policies to adjust to structural changes in the world economy sparked by the onset of the global financial crisis five years ago, according to a new United Nations report. The Trade and Development Report 2013 (click here to download free) notes […]

16 Oct, 2013

Angry India berates IMF for global economic surveillance failures, downturn projections

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Ministry of Finance, 13-October, 2013 – Indian Finance Minister Mr P.Chidambaram has blasted the International Monetary Fund for its failure to identify risks and provide clear warnings about global macroeconomic turbulence. He has also demanded a detailed advance-warning study of the upcoming impact on the global economies of the rollback of the “quantitative easing” policies, […]

16 Oct, 2013

Developing World Faces Breast Cancer Surge, Study Suggests

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October 15, 2013, CHALFONT ST. GILES, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rising breast cancer incidence and mortality represent a significant and growing threat for the developing world, according to a new global study commissioned by GE Healthcare. Explained report co-author Bengt Jönsson, Professor in Health Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics: “Breast cancer is on the rise across […]

16 Oct, 2013

Internet giants plan to track users even more

While public unease with the National Security Agency’s surveillance efforts continues to grow, there are new signs indicating that technology companies are also upgrading their efforts to track what you’re doing on the Internet. According to a new report by Wired, companies like Microsoft and Google are developing increasingly sophisticated means of collecting consumer data […]

16 Oct, 2013

Shutdown of US govt: Dress rehearsal for privatization of federal state? — RT

The fiscal ceiling having now been reached, possibly with a deadline, the government is being pressured by its Wall Street handlers – who control decision-making in the US Congress – to curtail and downsize social programs, as well as initiate the transfer of public assets and institutions into the hands of private corporations. There is […]

16 Oct, 2013

Central banks getting ready for financial Armageddon — RT Business

If the US debt-ceiling debate goes past the eleventh hour, and the default of the world’s largest economy becomes a reality, leading central banks around the world are gearing up to minimize losses and keep the world economy functioning. If US lawmakers don’t reach a budget consensus and raise the debt ceiling by Thursday October […]

16 Oct, 2013

Malay fund managers move servers to Russia amid ‘dodge NSA’ tech-trend — RT News

Private telecom providers, businesses and governments are increasingly compelled to move or reinforce web operations following disclosures of the NSA’s mass internet surveillance programs made by whistleblower Edward Snowden. Brazil is set to vote on the creation of a cyber-security system to thwart National Security Agency espionage of Brazilian government systems. US surveillance led by […]

16 Oct, 2013

Alibaba to transform China’s ‘e-conomy – China Daily

Alibaba Group’s plans to revolutionize China’s retail industry, investing $16 billion in logistics and support by 2020, will open up China’s vast interior and bring access to hundreds of millions of potential new customers. With an extra $15 billion or so in its pocket from a likely IPO, Alibaba and partners such as delivery service […]

16 Oct, 2013

Time to cool down nationwide English mania – People’s Daily Online

There are benefits to this nationwide mania for English learning. An overall escalation of English proficiency broadens the horizon of Chinese people, enabling them to have an insight into the rest of the world. However, learning English has already become “too much of a good thing.” English education and training has become institutionalized, forcing Chinese […]

16 Oct, 2013

European ‘shadow state’ faces growing resistance – DW.DE

Which cruel ruler is continually forcing new rounds of austerity measures on the Greeks? And which dark power managed to break the resistance of Cypriots in just a few days? The answer is not Germany. It is the eurozone’s shadow state. It sounds like something from science fiction or fantasy, the Star Wars saga or […]

16 Oct, 2013

US dollar’s ‘exorbitant privilege’ at risk – DW.DE

Since the end of World War II, international investors have looked at the US dollar as a safe bet, reassured by the full faith and credit of Uncle Sam. In hard times, they parked their money in US Treasury bills to ride out the storm. But these days, Washington is not looking as reliable as […]

16 Oct, 2013

Asia Times Online: The birth of the ‘de-Americanized’ world

This is it. China has had enough. The (diplomatic) gloves are off. It’s time to build a “de-Americanized” world. It’s time for a “new international reserve currency” to replace the US dollar. It’s all here, in a Xinhua editorial, straight from the dragon’s mouth. And the year is only 2013. Fasten your seat belts – […]

16 Oct, 2013

Asia Times Online: Mining your information for big brother

Big Bro is watching you. Inside your mobile phone and hidden behind your web browser are little known software products marketed by contractors to the government that can follow you around anywhere. No longer the wide-eyed fantasies of conspiracy theorists, these technologies are routinely installed in all of our data devices by companies that sell […]

15 Oct, 2013

Son of slain Sikh will challenge Paul Ryan for Wisconsin seat – CSMonitor.com

MILWAUKEE: The son of a slain Sikh temple president plans to challenge US Rep. Paul Ryan in next year’s congressional election, in a Wisconsin district where support for the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee has been strong but slipping. Amar Kaleka, 35, told The Associated Press he’ll file paperwork Wednesday to form an exploratory congressional […]

15 Oct, 2013

Truthdiggers of the Week: Editors and Reporters of The Guardian

Since 2009, investigations by The Guardian have sent shock waves through the halls of power across the world. Like others devoted to the principles of their profession, I suspect its editors and reporters would demur at the suggestion that they’re engaged in anything more than journalism. In a strictly technical sense, they’d be right. But […]

15 Oct, 2013

The Folly of Empire – Chris Hedges – Truthdig

The last days of empire are carnivals of folly. We are in the midst of our own, plunging forward as our leaders court willful economic and environmental self-destruction. Sumer and Rome went down like this. So did the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires. Men and women of stunning mediocrity and depravity led the monarchies of Europe […]

15 Oct, 2013

Gambling Industry Salivates at Prospects of Online Boom

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SARASOTA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)-October 09, 2013 – As OBJ Enterprises (OTCBB: OBJE) works to expand its share of the $13 billion global electronic games industry, a new generation of gaming consoles and mobile technologies is poised to spark a dramatic rise in game revenues in the next year. This week, CNBC Mad Money host Jim Cramer […]

15 Oct, 2013

ILO Chief Tells IMF-World Bank How to Avoid the Risk of a Slow-Growth Trap

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Geneva, (ILO Media release) – Jobs are central both for the economic recovery and the long-term development of the global economy,  ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said in a statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF-World Bank on 11 October 2013. The following is the full text of his statement: […]

15 Oct, 2013

New Association Set Up to Tap Opportunities for Gap-Year Students in U.S.

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Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) October 15, 2013 – Gap year programs, long a staple of education systems in Europe and Australia, have grown substantially in popularity in the United States during the past six years. In response to this trend, a team of leading education and gap year experts have joined together to support a new […]

14 Oct, 2013

First phase of Haram Mosque expansion opens for Hajj

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 14 October 2013 (09 Dhul Ḥijjah 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ Wishing all readers a blessed and peaceful Eid Ul Adha. MAJOR UPCOMING TRAVEL & TOURISM […]

14 Oct, 2013

Workshop on Ancient Indian Wisdom: Values for Living the Vision of Oneness

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A two-day workshop on this topic will be held by Neema Majmudar and Surya Tahora between 30 November‐1 December 2013 at the Indus restaurant, Bangkok. Introduction Today’s world is fraught with challenges in multiple areas of life. The success of any individual depends upon the skill with which one is able to navigate one’s life […]

14 Oct, 2013

Pakistan PM announces Rs.200M fund for Trust to help victims of Church bombing

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PESHAWAR, October 10 (APP): Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday announced allocation of Rs.200 million fund for a Trust to be set up by Christian community to rehabilitate victims of devastating suicide bomb blasts at All Saints Church on September 22 which claimed 83 precious lives and injured 140 persons. The announcement was made […]

14 Oct, 2013

Mums develop their nose for business – Sydney Morning Herald

More women with successful careers are starting their own business or working for themselves from home after having children. The ”female” economy is fast growing and one that the big banks are keen to reach. Women have spent a lot of time and effort building their careers, says Larke Riemer, director of women’s markets at […]

14 Oct, 2013

Italian Minister Denies Hebron Visit ‘In Solidarity With Jewish Settlers’

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BETHLEHEM, Palestine, Oct 12 (NNN-MA’AN) – Italian Minister of Tourism and Culture Massimo Bray has denied allegations of acting in “solidarity” with Israeli settlers after meeting with a leader of the illegal Jewish settler community in the Old City of Hebron on Tuesday. A statement released by the Italian consulate denied these “specious” allegations, highlighting […]

13 Oct, 2013

CNTA survey: Most Chinese want National Day Golden Week abolished

By SUN XIAOCHEN

Beijing, 2013-10-12 – (China Daily) – Zhang Ji usually plays badminton with his colleagues on Saturdays at the Beijing University of Technology stadium. But not this week, because they have to work according to a revised holiday schedule. “This Saturday has become a working day because of the week-long National Day holiday,” said Zhang, who […]

13 Oct, 2013

Poll finds majority unhappy with China’s public holiday rules

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Shanghai, (Shanghai Daily) October 12, 2013 – Most Chinese are unhappy with the country’s public holiday arrangements which feature long breaks at the cost of working extra days, according to a nation-wide poll. The national holiday coordinating office, which is affiliated to the National Tourism Administration, opened a poll at news portals on Thursday. Voting […]