31 Jul, 2015

Professional women should give birth at younger age: Chinese physician advises

By Zhang Qiaoli

By Zhang Qiaoli Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-07-28 – Women should strive to balance quality of work and life, and have children at a young age. As a doctor I see much suffering because of this imbalance. Xiao Ying, 36, works for a large law firm. Her job means lots of travel, a heavy caseload and a […]

31 Jul, 2015

China to launch national survey of senior citizens

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) July 29, 2015 – China will launch a massive sample survey of senior citizens on August 1. This survey, the fourth China has made on the living situation of senior people in rural and urban areas, will last about one month with the effort of 40,000 census-takers, according to a press […]

31 Jul, 2015

Jewish extremist stabs six people at Gay Pride march in Jerusalem

Jerusalem: An Orthodox Jewish assailant stabbed and injured six participants of an annual Gay Pride march in Jerusalem on Thursday. It was the worst attack in years on the event in Jerusalem, a city where the religious population is more prominent than in other parts of Israel. “I saw an ultra-Orthodox youth stabbing everyone in […]

31 Jul, 2015

China credit card transactions hit 15.2t yuan in 2014

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BEIJING, (Xinhua) 2015-07-29 – Credit cards are gaining increasing popularity among Chinese, with payments totaling 15.2 trillion yuan ($2.49 trillion) last year, a report by China Banking Association showed on Tuesday. The volume was up 16 percent from the previous year. In 2014, around 64 million new credit cards were issued, bringing the total to […]

31 Jul, 2015

General Motors to pull out of Gujarat to stem mounting losses | The Indian Express

In a bid to stem mounting losses, US-based auto major General Motors on Wednesday said it will restructure operations at its Indian subsidiary by ceasing operations at its facility in Halol, Gujarat and instead invest in consolidating operations at its other unit in Talegaon, Maharashtra. GM is the first major auto maker in the last […]

29 Jul, 2015

India: All upcoming Metro stations to have toilets

NEW DELHI, July 23 (NNN-Bernama) — All upcoming metro stations including 32 of them under the Delhi Metro will have toilets, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha, was informed on Thursday, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Direction has been issued to all metro companies implementing metro projects under 50:50 joint […]

29 Jul, 2015

Australian Opposition Party signals intent to recognise Palestine statehood

Melbourne (IINA) 28 July 2015 – The Australian Labor Party (ALP), currently in opposition, agreed Sunday on a resolution to consider recognizing a Palestinian statehood if peace talks remain deadlocked. The resolution, put forward on Monday at the ALP’s three-day national conference held in Melbourne, stipulated that “If … there is no progress in the next round […]

29 Jul, 2015

Israel Demolishes Residential, Commercial Structures in East Jerusalem Neighborhood

JERUSALEM, July 28, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities early Tuesday demolished Palestinian owned residential and commercial structures in East Jerusalem’s town neighborhood of Silwan. WAFA correspondent and Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that Israeli troops accompanied two bulldozers into the Silwan area of ‘Ayn al-Lawza, where they proceeded to demolish stores and residential facilities […]

29 Jul, 2015

Saudi women on the move after being cleared to travel without male escorts – Arab News

ABHA: Several Saudi businesswomen started traveling with a group of friends after recent regulations which allow women to travel without their mahram. These women said they find great fun to travel as a group with their friends and their children, where they can achieve their goals of travel. Travel and tourism offices said many Saudi […]

29 Jul, 2015

Greater Jakarta Islands ask tourists to ‘dress modestly’ – The Jakarta Post

The Thousand Islands regency administration has asked that tourists, both locals and foreigners, who visit the island to “dress modestly”. Thousand Islands’ Tourism and Culture Agency head Irfal Guci said that more and more tourists had visited the island over the years. Thus, he said, the office felt the need to encourage tourists to dress […]

29 Jul, 2015

Accenture to scrap annual performance reviews – The Independent

As of September, one of the largest companies in the world will do all of its employees and managers an enormous favor: It will get rid of the annual performance review. Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme told The Washington Post that the professional services firm, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers in cities around the […]

29 Jul, 2015

Travel Impact Newswire launches First Early-Warning Report for Travel & Tourism Industry

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire, the leading alternative-perspective online publication covering travel & tourism, has launched what is claimed to be the first Early-Warning Report designed to alert the world’s pre-eminent service industry to looming risks and threats in a rapidly-changing world. Focussing on subjects ranging from the impact of geopolitical conflict to the expanding […]

29 Jul, 2015

Iran Looks Forward to Stepping up Relations with ASEAN

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Jakarta, 24 July 2015. ASEAN Secretariat News – Iran will intensify its relations and cooperation with ASEAN as well as with ASEAN Member States, according to the country’s new Ambassador to ASEAN, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi. Ambassador Nasrabadi presented his Letter of Credence to Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh on 23 July. Ambassador Nasrabadi […]

29 Jul, 2015

APEC Business Travel Card to be Extended to Five Years from 1 September

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Singapore, 28 July 2015 (APEC Business Mobility Group) – The APEC Business Mobility Group has announced the implementation of the extension of validity of the APEC Business Travel Card from three to five years, effective from 1 September 2015. This announcement follows agreement reached by all 21 APEC member economies after the last meeting of the APEC […]

28 Jul, 2015

Chris Hedges: Why I Support the BDS Movement Against Israel – Truthdig

The Palestinians are poor. They are powerless. They have no voice or influence in the halls of power. They are demonized. They do not have well-heeled lobbyists doling out campaign contributions and pushing through pro-Palestinian legislation. No presidential candidate is appealing to donors—as Hillary Clinton did when she sent a letter to media mogul Haim […]

28 Jul, 2015

Global Rescue App Helps Travellers Stay Informed and Prepared Amidst Rising Threats

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BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 27, 2015 — As threats to global travelers increase in countries throughout the world, Global Rescue has developed an app to help keep travellers safe and support enterprises in meeting their legal Duty of Care responsibilities. The Global Rescue app puts critical medical, security and other essential real-time travel intelligence at travelers’ fingertips. […]

28 Jul, 2015

Etihad Airways Chief says it’s all about free competition, great products and the Power of Choice

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ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 27, 2015 – Etihad Airways President and CEO James Hogan emphasized the importance of consumer choice and innovation as the fundamental drivers of competition in the international airline industry during a public conversation before an audience of approximately 4,000 attendees at the 2015 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Convention in Orlando, Fla. […]

28 Jul, 2015

Spotlight: Despite fanfare, U.S. aid programs for Africa fail to make big difference

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NAIROBI, July 27 (Xinhua) — During his just-concluded visit to Kenya, U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled, amid intensive global attention, a 1-billion-U.S.-dollar program to support global entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth in sub-Saharan Africa. The 1-billion fund and other forms of assistance promised by Obama during his three-day high-profile trip were hailed by […]

28 Jul, 2015

Australia warns foreign students about being used for organised crime money-laundering

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Canberra, 27 July 2015, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre — Foreign students in Australia are being warned to be wary of attempts by organised crime groups to use them for money laundering through business express deposit boxes and Internet banking transactions. AUSTRAC has released the following brief to alert all those involved in student […]

28 Jul, 2015

Masterpiece essays by 70 multi-lingual students top UN-organised competition

Imtiaz Muqbil

United Nations — A Vietnamese university student writing in Arabic, an Australian writing in Chinese, a Kazakh writing in French and a Korean writing in Spanish are among the 70 winners of a global multi-lingual essay-writing contest organised by the United Nations to involve the world’s young people in crafting the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. […]

28 Jul, 2015

Terrorism’s saffron fault line – DAWN.COM

Imtiaz Muqbil

Saffron now carries the indelible imprint of BJP’s aggressive brand of religious-political chauvinism, particularly in the wake of the 2002 communal carnage in Gujarat when sword-wielding killers sported saffron headbands, stoles and pennants. It has thus become the default term for anything to do with Hindu supremacist politics and actions although the BJP has vigorously […]

27 Jul, 2015

Secrecy of TPP talks fuels concern about influence of corporate property lobby

AFP-JIJI, Jul 26, 2015, WASHINGTON – Higher costs for needed generic drugs. Longer copyright protections than the global standard. Foreign investors empowered to overrule governments. A more tightly-regulated Internet. Those are just some of the potential pitfalls from any deal that could emerge from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation free trade and investment pact shrouded […]

27 Jul, 2015

Dozens Injured as Israeli Police Attack Worshippers to Let Jewish Fanatics into al-Aqsa Mosque compound

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ERUSALEM, July 26, 2015 (WAFA) – Dozens of Muslim worshipers Sunday were injured, while many suffocated by tear gas during clashes that erupted with Israeli police at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque compound, after groups of Jewish hardliners broke into the Islamic holy site to mark Tisha B’Av holiday, according to local sources and witnesses. WAFA correspondent […]

27 Jul, 2015

Special Report: Iran Beckons The World

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 July 2015 (10 Shawwal 1436). This week’s edition includes a special compilation of reports on the business, cultural and artistic awakening set to emerge in Iran following the conclusion of the nuclear pact with […]

26 Jul, 2015

“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” writer says film can build India-Pakistan bridge – Times of India

Koduri Ventaka Vijayendra Prasad’s pen has delivered cross-border magic, with Bajrangi Bhaijaan becoming a big hit in both India and Pakistan. Now this isn’t a film about dinosaurs or dancing or a wedding. It’s about a desi Hanuman bhakt reuniting a young Pakistani angel with her family in PoK. Here’s a message as big as […]

26 Jul, 2015

Teesta Setalvad: Activists face dark future under Modi govt – The Hindu

In an interview to The Hindu a few days ago, she said that under the Modi regime the future is dark for activists. Arguably the face of the fight for justice for the victims of the Gujarat riots in 2002, Teesta Setalvad has tirelessly fought scores of cases, provided legal aid to the survivors through […]

26 Jul, 2015

San Francisco could be hit by massive earthquake ‘any day now’, says USGS scientist – The Independent

The San Francisco Bay Area could be struck by a major earthquake “any day now”, says a scientist with the US Geological Survey.The Hayward fault historically causes a huge earthquake every 140 years and it has been 147 years since the last major quake on the fault.Hayward caused a magnitude 4.0 earthquake on Tuesday that […]

25 Jul, 2015

Especially for those Americans who think Islam is a violent religion…

Just hours before a gunman entered a cinema in Louisiana killing two people and injuring nine others, Barack Obama spoke out yet again about the US’s gun laws. Speaking to the BBC, the president said: “The United States of America is the one advanced nation on Earth in which we do not have sufficient common […]

25 Jul, 2015

How one homeless child inspired this Bangladeshi to help hundreds – The Guardian

It was a day playing with plastic bottles that changed Korvi Rakshand’s life. Named one of 10 inspirational Bangladeshis last year, Rakshand was born to a wealthy family. But he turned his back on money and for the past eight years has been running an NGO in one of Dhaka’s biggest slums. He talks freely […]

24 Jul, 2015

Seoul, Dubai top list of luxury travel destinations by length of stay – Switchfly data index

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SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 23, 2015 – Switchfly, Inc., the technology company powering travel search/booking and loyalty point redemption solutions for the world’s most celebrated brands, today announced its 2015 Luxury Travel Index. The destinations were ranked by average length of stay, using data from Switchfly’s global booking engine, and give some insight into the traveling […]

24 Jul, 2015

76% of Working Adults Have Suffered Under a Bad Boss, U.S. National Workforce Survey Finds

Imtiaz Muqbil

HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–23 July 2015 — The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University, a leading executive MBA program for working managers, today released findings from its national workforce survey, which was conducted to determine how employees perceive their managers, careers, and workplace culture. Based on the survey, eight in ten workers report having a […]

24 Jul, 2015

Are We Becoming 24-Hour Workers? CareerBuilder Survey Explores the Demise of 9 to 5

Imtiaz Muqbil

CHICAGO, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — A new CareerBuilder survey indicates that, much like flip phones and fax machines, the traditional eight-hour work day may be on its way out. More than 1,000 full-time workers in information technology, financial services, sales, and professional and business services  – industries that historically have more  traditional work hours […]

23 Jul, 2015

The German Workforce Has a Burnout Problem — Gallup

by Marco Nink

14 July 2015, (Gallup Inc.) — In 2012, the German business publication Manager Magazin reported the number of burnout cases among companies in the DAX, the German stock index covering the 30 most actively traded blue chip companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Working with patient data, the European hospital chain Asklepios estimated that, on […]

23 Jul, 2015

Indian start-up inventor helps women avoid filthy public toilets

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A New Delhi based start-up aims to help women across India overcome the problems of urinating in unhygienic public toilets. Made from waterproof cardboard, Pee Buddy is a single use funnel which allows women to micturate without having to squat on a dirty toilet seat and risk infection. This is the brainchild of Delhi-based entrepreneur […]

23 Jul, 2015

Citibank N.A. Ordered to Pay $700 Million in Consumer Relief for Illegal Credit Card Practices

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jul 21 2015 – (CFPB media release) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has ordered Citibank, N.A. and its subsidiaries to provide an estimated $700 million in relief to eligible consumers harmed by illegal practices related to credit card add-on products and services. Roughly 7 million consumer accounts were affected by […]

23 Jul, 2015

Jewish fanatic settler groups urge storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark Tisha B’Av day

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JERUSALEM, July 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Six days after the fasting month of Ramadan characterized by Palestinian Muslims’ permanent presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound ended, Jewish settler groups called Wednesday all Jewish settlers to storm the holy site to mark Tisha B’Av Day. This call came as dozens of Israeli settlers broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque […]

23 Jul, 2015

Asian Organic Gourmet Festival to be held in Bangkok, Oct 2-4

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BANGKOK: The Annual Asian Organic Gourmet Festival 2015 will take place in Bangkok at the Riva Surya Hotel. A celebration of high quality organic produce in modern Asian cuisine will be the main focus of this year’s festival exclusively presented by high profile Asian chefs and held at the Riva Surya Bangkok, on the banks […]

23 Jul, 2015

Singapore, Auckland, Hong Kong top destinations for Australian business travellers – Amex Travel Data

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SYDNEY–(BUSINESS WIRE)-July 19, 2015 -Australian business travellers are most frequently travelling to cities in the United States (US) when travelling outside of Asia Pacific (APAC), according to data from American Express Global Business Travel (GBT). The strengthening US economy appears to be driving an influx of business travellers to many key US cities, with seven […]

22 Jul, 2015

Israel Razes Land in Hebron, Bans Construction of Bethlehem Soccer Field

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HEBRON, July 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday bulldozed around 20-dunums of Palestinian-owned agricultural land in the town of Beit Ola to the northwest of Hebron, and ordered ending the construction of a soccer field to the west of Bethlehem. Coordinator of the anti wall and settlements committee Issa al-Amlah, informed WAFA that a […]

22 Jul, 2015

New app to help non-drinkers find alcohol-free friends and colleagues

By Kristina Sperkova I am so proud and excited about the fact that we in IOGT International have just built a partnership with SoberGrid – the Number One Sober App that was officially launched just a few hours ago. We believe in the App and in the people behind it. We know it will provide […]

22 Jul, 2015

U.S. Civil Liberties groups ask Appeals Court to halt NSA’s resumption of bulk phone records collection

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New York, (ACLU media release) July 14, 2015 —  The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union today asked the U. S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to halt the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of Americans’ call records, arguing that immediate action is necessary because the government has resumed […]

22 Jul, 2015

Kenya to host thousands of investors at Global Entrepreneurship Summit July 25-26

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NAIROBI, July 18 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya will play host to thousands of investors and business leaders here next week when the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which has been billed as the biggest meeting of business minds in Africa, is officially opened by United States President Barack Obama. The July 25-26 summit will test Kenya’s capacity to […]

22 Jul, 2015

Chinese commentary: Bank account freeze of Russia Today exposes West’s hypocrisy over free press

BEIJING, July 17, (Xinhua) — Barclays’ freeze of the account of Russia’s Rossiya Segodnya, commonly known as Russia Today (RT), once again shows the West’s double standards over free press. The British bank on Monday announced the freeze of the account of RT’s representative office in London with neither details nor explanation, according to Sputnik, […]

22 Jul, 2015

“The Halal Guys” Restaurant of New York to open in Toronto

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Toronto, (IINA), 20 Jul 2015 – The Halal Guys, famous Middle Eastern street food vendors from New York City, will be coming to Toronto but the date is yet to be announced, according to Canadian CBC news. The halal-certified restaurant will have five franchises in the city, adding to 200 franchises across the United States […]

22 Jul, 2015

Devalued ruble sees more Chinese tourists heading for Russia

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-07-21, – Russia is expected to earn more revenue from big-spending Chinese tourists who spent $1 billion there in 2014, a figure helped by a devalued ruble amid Western sanctions and tourism promotions between the two countries, Russian news website gazeta.ru reported. Chinese tourists accounted for 16% of all foreign tourists in Russia […]

22 Jul, 2015

Summary transcript of U.N. Security Council Session Endorsing Agreement on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

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United Nations, UN media release, 20 July 2015 – The Security Council today coalesced around a sweeping resolution that endorsed the 14 July agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, setting out a rigorous monitoring mechanism and timetable for implementation, while paving the way for the lifting of United Nations sanctions against that country. Unanimously adopting resolution 2231 (2015), the […]

22 Jul, 2015

Chinese commentary: Iran nuclear deal opens new vistas of opportunities

By Chen Weihua

Washington DC, 2015-07-17 (China Daily): The long-term and comprehensive nuclear agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and P5+1 – China, the US, Russia, France, the UK plus Germany – should be applauded for opening a new channel of peace for not only the Middle East, but also the whole world. The deal ended a […]

22 Jul, 2015

First half of 2015 ‘hottest six months on record’ – UN

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 21 July 2015 – From January to June 2015, the globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces was the hottest for such period on record, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported today, citing new highs across the planet in June, with heatwaves across South Asia, Europe and […]

22 Jul, 2015

UAE passes law to bar all forms of racial, social, cultural, ethnic discrimination

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ABU DHABI, 20th July 2015 (WAM) — Attorney-General of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on Monday stressed that the new law issued today by the UAE against any form of discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, creed, doctrine, race, colour or ethnic origin, following a Decree by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed […]

22 Jul, 2015

As Ramadan Ends, Jewish fanatics Resume Provocative Visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

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JERUSALEM, July 20, 2015 (WAFA) – Unable to organize provocative visits to Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque during the fasting month of Ramadan, when Palestinian Muslims maintain a permanent presence in the holy site, Jewish settlers on Monday resumed their regular daily visits to the holy site. WAFA correspondent said groups of settlers entered the site gradually […]

22 Jul, 2015

Jewish fanatics Set Banners in Bethlehem Calling for Confiscating More Palestinian Lands

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BETHLEHEM, July 20, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Monday put up banners in multiple areas in Bethlehem district calling for more Palestinian lands to be confiscated for the purpose of settlement construction and expansion, according to local and security sources. Ahmad Salah, coordinator of the Anti-Settlement Committee in the village of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, […]

22 Jul, 2015

PH is Airbnb’s fastest growing market – Manila Bulletin

Manila — The Philippines posted an exponential 300 percent growth year on year for travelers using the Airbnb platform, a website for people to rent out lodging, making it the fastest growing market in the ASEAN region. Jia Jih Chai, Airbnb managing director for Southeast Asia and India, told reporters in an interview at the […]

22 Jul, 2015

Airbnb Launches Global Product Suite for Business and Corporate Travel

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SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 20, 2015 — Airbnb, the leading community-driven hospitality company, announced the global expansion of its Business Travel program with the launch of a new product suite aimed at making Airbnb easier to use for companies. As of July 20, companies around the world can swiftly sign in to Airbnb and have access […]

21 Jul, 2015

Chicago’s Rebel Rabbi Standing with Palestinians: “We Must Stand with the Oppressed”

By standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people, I believe I am fulfilling one of the central spiritual directives of my religious tradition – namely that we must stand with the oppressed and call out the oppressor. It’s really that simple. Now of course, I’m not so naïve as to deny the enormous complexities that […]

20 Jul, 2015

Palestine, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka sign up for Halal Travel Summit in Abu Dhabi

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 July 2015 (04 Shawwaal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]

20 Jul, 2015

“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” film review: The Critical Role of Film-makers as Peace-makers

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – One of the most poignant moments in this deeply sensitive yet highly entertaining film comes when one of the principal characters, a Pakistani journalist, tries vainly to sell local TV channels a powerful human interest story about a well-meaning fundamentalist Indian Hindu trying to reunite a lost Pakistani Muslim child with her parents. […]

19 Jul, 2015

The Revolt Against Tourism — New York Times

COPENHAGEN — AS we glide under a bridge on the city canal tour, our guide announces that we have entered a quiet zone. “This is a residential area,” she says, nodding toward balconies where Danes are enjoying coffee, or maybe wine. “I’ll resume talking in five minutes.” Denmark is one of the world’s top destinations […]

19 Jul, 2015

Int’l Criminal Court Prosecutor told to review decision not to investigate Israeli attack on aid flotilla

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The Hague, International Criminal Court Press Release, 16/07/2015 — On 16 July 2015, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), composed of Judges Joyce Aluoch, Cuno Tarfusser and Péter Kovàcs, by majority, Judge Péter Kovács dissenting, granted the request of the Union of Comoros to review the decision of the ICC Prosecutor not […]

19 Jul, 2015

Washington Post publishes “25 Most Moving Photos from Ramadan”

In a remarkable tribute to the beauty and grandeur of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, the Washington Post has published a special photographic section entitled, “The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan”. Click here to see the beautiful photographs: The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan – The Washington Post

19 Jul, 2015

The end of capitalism has begun – The Guardian

By Paul Mason The red flags and marching songs of Syriza during the Greek crisis, plus the expectation that the banks would be nationalised, revived briefly a 20th-century dream: the forced destruction of the market from above. For much of the 20th century this was how the left conceived the first stage of an economy […]

19 Jul, 2015

India will be a Hindu nation by 2020, world by 2030: Extremist group patron

Calling the victory of the BJP-led alliance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as initiation of a “revolution” in the country, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) patron Ashok Singhal on Saturday said by 2020, India would be a Hindu nation. “I was at the Sai Baba Ashram where Sai Baba told me by 2020 the entire […]

19 Jul, 2015

Two Thai speakers slotted for Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh

Imtiaz Muqbil

Two Thais are to be among the top speakers at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 7-9 October 2015. To be co-hosted by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and Alcohol Focus Scotland, the conference will focus on the theme “Momentum For Change: Research And Advocacy Reducing Alcohol Harm.” […]

19 Jul, 2015

Anti-Muslim group to rally in Sydney – Sydney Morning Herald

Reclaim Australia protesters will descend on Sydney’s Martin Place on Sunday after similar rallies ended in violence in Melbourne. The protesters will gather in Martin Place between Macquarie and Phillip Streets at 10.30am tomorrow protesting against what Reclaim Australia calls the “Islamisation of Australia”. In Melbourne about 50 Reclaim Australia protesters were met by anti-racism […]

19 Jul, 2015

China begins assembly of first self-developed seaplane

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Beijing, 18 July 2015, (China Daily), China started the assembly on Friday of its first domestically developed seaplane, which is expected to take a big share in the international market. “Since the first day of its development, the AG-600 has been designed for the global market. We are confident in its market prospects because the […]

17 Jul, 2015

Majority of Brits harmed by other people’s drinking – Alcohol Studies report

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Edinburgh, 13 July 2015 (Institute of Alcohol Studies media release) – More than half of Scots and three-quarters of people from North West England are harmed by another person’s drinking, according to a new report released today. Produced by the Institute of Alcohol Studies with the University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research […]

16 Jul, 2015

Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of the lot – Aurora

As part of its #GermfreeRamazan activation campaign, Lifebuoy recently released a video that created a whole lot of positive buzz on social media in Pakistan. Here are five reasons why this is one of the best Ramazan ads in a long time. Read the rest: Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of […]

16 Jul, 2015

Ex-ASEAN Secretary-General urges U.N. to adopt King Bhumibhol’s “Sufficiency Economy” as development model

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Geneva/Paris July 2015 (TSDF media release): – Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, President of Future Innovative Thailand Institute (FIT), and a former ASEAN Secretary-General and Foreign Minister of Thailand, recently addressed audiences at UNCTAD Geneva and UNESCO Paris highlighting His Majesty King Bhumibhol’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) amidst Globalization and application of this Philosophy in Cultures and […]

16 Jul, 2015

Study: Afghan war costs American taxpayers $4 million per hour — RT USA

New data shows that America’s war in Afghanistan is costing taxpayers roughly $4 million an hour, despite the Obama administration’s drawdown of troops leaving only 10,000 soldiers in the country. Despite the colossal cost, the Obama administration and Afghan leadership both recognize the war will only end with peace negotiations, according to observers. More than […]

16 Jul, 2015

2 million worshippers pray at Grand Mosque on 27th Ramadan night – Arab News

JEDDAH: More than two million worshippers offered Isha and taraweeh prayers on 27th night of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in a highly spiritual atmosphere. The government led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ensured elaborate security as well as comfort by providing all necessary services to the guests […]

16 Jul, 2015

British Muslims in Newcastle invite locals for Iftar

Newcastle, England (IINA) 13 Jul 2015 – In the spirit of Ramadan, a Muslim community in Newcastle, England, invited their local community to break their fast together, World Bulletin reported. The Islamic Diversity Centre (IDC) has held an annual Iftar event which took place last week in suburban Walbottle, Newcastle. As reported in the Chronicle […]

16 Jul, 2015

Turkey, Germany see economic gains from termination of Iran sanctions

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Ankara, July 15, IRNA – Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci’s said on Wednesday successful finalizing of Iran-major powers’ nuclear negotiations is a very positive development of which Turkey will gain most benefits. ‘Phased termination of the multilateral and bilateral anti-Iranian sanctions will lead to paving the path for economic cooperation with Iran and making investments […]

16 Jul, 2015

Drones and phones to tackle Indonesian Eid ul-Fitri holiday road chaos – The Jakarta Post

From drones to smartphone apps, Indonesia is harnessing technology to tackle traffic chaos during the annual mass exodus before the Muslim Eid ul Fitri holiday, when the potholed roads of overpopulated Java become clogged with millions of slow-moving cars and crashes are frequent. Cities in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country empty every year at […]

16 Jul, 2015

Klu Klux Klan distributes fliers in black South Carolina neighbourhood – The Independent

When the Klu Klux Klan distributed fliers in a predominantly black neighbourhood, residents reponded in a way that the KK might not have been expected – by producing their own posters showing a white and black hand clasped in a handshake. What made the response all the more telling was that the incident took place […]

16 Jul, 2015

China donates 700 tons of rice to ease suffering of Palestinians

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GAZA, July 15 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government donated 700 tons of rice to the population of the Palestinian Gaza Strip Wednesday. Chen Xingzhong, director of the Chinese Office in Palestine (Ambassador-Level) supervised the delivery. The delivery was made through the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the Gaza Strip. About 300 locals attended the ceremony […]

16 Jul, 2015

How Iran got the hegemon to lift sanctions

Now that Iran nuclear deal is completed, the attention of western news media and political commentators is predictably focused overwhelmingly on the opposition to the agreement within the US Congress and from Israel and the Saudi-led Sunni Arab coalition. That media lens misses the real significance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is […]

16 Jul, 2015

Netizen Redesigns China’s High-Speed Rail Network Like a Subway Map

By Luxiao Zou

Beijing, July 15, 2015, (People’s Daily Online) – Recently, a netizen in China drew a nationwide high-speed railway network in the format of a subway map. This straightforward and clear map saves travelers tons of work in planning for transportation. “I got the itch to travel the moment I saw this map,” a netizen comments […]

16 Jul, 2015

73 European Parliament Members Call On EU To End Support To Israeli Military Companies

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RAMALLAH, Palestine, July 15 (NNN-WAFA) – About 73 members of the European Parliament issued a letter to European Union High Representative, Federica Mogherini and Jan Robert Smits – Director-General of DG Research and Innovation, asking the EU to end its support to Israeli military companies. The unique cross-party initiative is the first time many MEPs […]

16 Jul, 2015

New Book “Cyber Fraud: The Web of Lies” Exposes Threat to Small Businesses

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Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) July 13, 2015 — In February 2014, Former U.S. Marine, cyber security expert and ethical hacker Bryan Seely used a loophole in Google Maps to record telephone calls made to the FBI and Secret Service. He did it to highlight the ways that criminals use these loopholes to defraud individual consumers, unfairly […]

16 Jul, 2015

Iranian-Americans Applaud Nuclear Agreement between World Powers and Iran

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 14, 2015 — The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) applauds today’s historic announcement that the P5+1 coalition (U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany) and Iran have successfully negotiated a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement over Iran’s nuclear program. “As an organization that represents the Iranian American community, PAAIA supports efforts […]

15 Jul, 2015

Hotel ‘staffed’ entirely by robots unveiled in Japan – Al Jazeera English

A businessman in Japan has unveiled a hotel run by robots, insisting the move is not a gimmick but a serious attempt at reducing costs. People and Power – The Tech Threat Henn na Hotel, as it is called in Japanese, was shown to reporters on Wednesday, complete with robot demonstrations, ahead of its opening […]

15 Jul, 2015

Kashmir Muslims hold world record Iftar

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Srinagar, Kashmir, India (IINA) 13 Jul 2015 – Championing the largest Iftar ever recorded in Asian history, a Muslim group in Kashmir invited people for a historical fast breaking meal in India-administered district, making a new world record, according to media reports. “We are organizing this open-to-all event to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan,” […]

15 Jul, 2015

Jeddah creates Guinness world record with longest Iftar table

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Jeddah (IINA) 08 Jul 2015 – The ongoing Ramadan festival called “Ramdanana Kida” (Our Ramadan was like this) at the historic Balad district of Jeddah has set a new Guinness world record for the longest connected Iftar table. Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims to break their fast after sunset during Ramadan. Jeddah’s longest […]

15 Jul, 2015

In Latin America Tour, Pope Francis Trashes Everything Travel & Tourism Considers Holy

Imtiaz Muqbil

If the travel & tourism industry did not pay any attention to the powerful speeches by Pope Francis during his 5-13 July tour of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, three countries considered among the poorest in Latin America, it needs to think again. Trashing everything that the industry considers holy, the head of the 1.2 billion […]

15 Jul, 2015

Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation – DAWN.COM

Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation Amjad Iqbal — Updated 3 days ago Base of the column of sandstone placed in front of Jandial temple. Taxila is known as the cradle of Buddhist civilisation, with numerous Buddhist sites. But few know that in heart of the great Buddhist civilisation there stands […]

15 Jul, 2015

China’s carbon emissions growth rate in decline: report

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LONDON, (Xinhua) 2015-07-14 – Despite the continued increase in global carbon emissions in China, the growth rate of carbon emissions has been “in a steady decrease” since 2005, and was near zero in 2014, according to a new climate report released Monday. The report, commissioned by Britain’s Foreign Office, was written by experts from Britain, […]

15 Jul, 2015

Bangkok Photo Exhibition to Support “Hand-in-Hand We Stand for Nepal” Project

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Bangkok – A new photo exhibition that showcases Nepal’s rich history takes place at the Park Ventures Phloenchit on the 13-15 July 2015 from 10 am – 6 pm daily. Rare photographs belonging to renowned photographer Kiran Man Chitrakar whose family has held the lineage of Royal Court photographers for three generations will be on […]

15 Jul, 2015

Hong Kong PolyU Study Finds Performance Gains needed in Chinese State-Owned Hotels

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Hong Kong, 14 July 2015, HK Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management media release – Chinese state-owned hotels need to enhance their performance and market competitiveness, according to the Dr Kam Hung and Professor Hanqin Qiu of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, along with […]

15 Jul, 2015

With 3,000 people aged 90+, China’s Zhongxiang recognized as World Longevity Area

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Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 13, 2015 – Zhongxiang city of central China’s Hubei Province was recognized as a “World Longevity Area” on the 4th International Conference on Population Aging, which was held in Malta recently, according to China News Service reports on July 9. Zhongxiang is the third Chinese city to win the title […]

15 Jul, 2015

Chinese-built Lamu port on course to transform Kenya, E. Africa

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NAIROBI, July 12, (Xinhua) — Sam Mwabili has achieved a monumental feat that is the envy of his peers since he joined China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Group in June to build the first three berths of Lamu port, initial part of a mega project connecting eastern and central African region. The assistant engineer’s job […]

15 Jul, 2015

Australian Federal Police cancel Eid dinner after backlash from Muslim community

The Australian Federal Police has cancelled an annual Ramadan dinner after Muslim community leaders vowed to boycott the event. In a sign of deepening fractures between the Muslim community and Australian authorities, a petition was circulated on July 2, urging imams and other representatives to boycott dinners in Sydney and Melbourne because they were a […]

15 Jul, 2015

20-Somethings Want Tangible Benefits From Employers, Not A “Fun Culture” – Research Study

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ATLANTA, GA (PRWEB) July 13, 2015 – Millennials will comprise seventy-five percent of the global workforce by 2025 and they know they are the most desired hire in the job market today. Companies need to pay attention to what this demographic wants, if they hope to compete for their attention and retention. Pinpoint Market Research […]

15 Jul, 2015

Why is the United States Still Terrorizing Laos? – Centre for Research on Globalization

Last month, the United States announced a new aid package of $15 million for the unexploded ordnance (UXO) sector in Laos. The aid package—the highest annual amount the US has ever given for UXO cleanup in Laos—brings to total about $85 million the US has given to Laos for UXO cleanup since 1993. This is […]

15 Jul, 2015

Report Explores Seven Key Trend Sets Informed by Community College Presidents

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Chandler, AZ (PRWEB)July 13, 2015 — The latest iteration of the League for Innovation Trends Report finds that community colleges are focused on student access and completion, high expectations for students around learning outcomes, and adapting learning models for effectiveness and scale. The League for Innovation in the Community College trends surveys are designed to […]

14 Jul, 2015

Israel to build mall, hotel on historic Muslim cemetery

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Jerusalem (IINA), 14 Jul 2015 – The Israeli Occupation have approved plans to build a residential neighborhood over the ruins of an ancient Muslim cemetery in West Jerusalem, Anadolu Agency reported, according to Israeli media. “The Jerusalem District Committee for Planning and Building last week approved construction of 192 residential units, a 480-room hotel and a […]

13 Jul, 2015

New York to host first Muslim comedy festival

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 July 2015 (26 Ramadan 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TRAVEL NEWSWIRE EXECUTIVE EDITOR IMTIAZ MUQBIL AND ASSISTANT EDITOR SANA MUQBIL SHAMSI WISH ALL […]

13 Jul, 2015

Safety Tips for Water Activities This Summer

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SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 10, 2015 — With the water recreation season in full swing this summer, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds customers to be safe around lakes, rivers and other waterways. Recreationists should take added precautions as severe drought conditions throughout the state have changed water levels and created hazardous conditions. PG&E operates […]

13 Jul, 2015

Global Study on Beauty Devices Forecasts US$54.1 billion market by 2020

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DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 10, 201 — Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Global Market Study on Beauty Devices: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020” report to their offering. The global beauty devices market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 19,389.1 million in 2014 to USD 54,186.9 million in 2020 at […]

13 Jul, 2015

China police find clues of illegal stock trading

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BEIJING, (Xinhua) 2015-07-12 – An investigation team led by China’s Vice Minister of Public Security Meng Qingfeng has found clues that certain trading firms have suspectedly manipulated futures trading in the stock market. The team is currently carrying out further probes. It did not give other details. The investigation team visited the head office of […]

12 Jul, 2015

A photowalk through historic Hyderabad, Pakistan – DAWN.COM

Hyderabad, one of Pakistan’s most historic cities, has sadly not received the recognition it deserves. The history of this land on the Ganju Takkar hillock can be traced back to the Mauryan era (322-185 BC). The heritage and culture has been overlooked to an extent where even the city’s own residents, in general, are not […]

12 Jul, 2015

Claiming to preserve Jerusalem, Israeli archaeologists wreck Palestinian heritage | The Electronic Intifada

In an administrative building buried deep in the spaciously built suburbs of West Jerusalem, the latest phase of a long-standing struggle over a corner of land in the heart of the city concluded last week. Israel’s National Planning Committee has overseen an appeal by several bodies who oppose the further expansion of the powerful settler […]