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Archive for July, 2015

12 Jul, 2015

Wimbledon announces Wheelchair Tennis Singles events from 2016

London, 12 July 2016 (Wimbledon media release): The All England Club announced today that Wimbledon will feature wheelchair tennis singles events for men and women from The Championships 2016. Richard Lewis, Chief Executive of The All England Club, said: “Spectators and audiences of Wimbledon have been enjoying wheelchair doubles for 10 years and, on this […]

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12 Jul, 2015

Jewish fanatics set fire to olive trees west of Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, July 12, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Sunday set fire to dozens of olive trees belonging to a Palestinian resident in the village of Nahalin to the west of Bethlehem, according to witnesses. They informed WAFA that the olive trees planted in a land adjacent to the illegal Israeli settlement of Bet Ayn, were […]

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12 Jul, 2015

UNRWA Commissioner General: Root Causes of Gaza Conflict Remain Unaddressed

JERUSALEM, July 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Commissioner General of the UNRWA, Pierre Krahenbuhl, said in a Wednesday statement that a year after the Israeli devastating war on Gaza, which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, the root causes of the conflict remain unaddressed. He said, “The despair, destitution and denial of dignity resulting […]

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12 Jul, 2015

New book explores “The Path of Least Resistance: The Evolution of Capitalism and Politics in America”

Harlingen, Texas (PRWEB) July 06, 2015 – The Path of Least Resistance: The Evolution of Capitalism and Politics in America is a thought-provoking look into the economic transformation associated with the U.S. economy over the past 40 years. The book explores the evolution of the global economy and the macroeconomic consequences associated with its use. […]

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12 Jul, 2015

MH17: Clearer picture on the cause, Malaysia committed to seeking the truth

SEPANG, Malaysia July 11 (NNN-Bernama) — The criminal investigation team now has a clearer picture on the probable cause of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 tragedy in Ukraine on July 17 last year, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. He said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) comprising the Netherlands as coordinator, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia […]

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12 Jul, 2015

Chinese Premier urges more jobs, better life for disabled

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged enhancing vocational skills of the disabled and boost their employment and business creation. Li made the remarks in a written instruction for the fifth national vocational skill competition for disabled people and the second national Abilympics held in Wuhan City in central China from […]

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12 Jul, 2015

Find your spiritual escape with a New Phenomenon: Champing – Camping in churches

Churches Conservation Trust UK media release — Find peace with a night by candlelight in one of England’s treasured country churches, with The Churches Conservation Trust’s ‘champing’ breaks. Champers enjoy a two-day, one-night break at one of three historic churches, with the building to themselves, surrounded by rural simplicity and hundreds of years of history. […]

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11 Jul, 2015

Saudis more law-abiding abroad | Arab News

JEDDAH: A local survey found that almost half of Saudis abide by rules and laws in public places outside the Kingdom more than they do inside the country. More than one-third of the respondent sample said they violate road traffic signs and directions. The survey, conducted by Tagreed Al-Jadaani, professor of home economics at King […]

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11 Jul, 2015

Female foeticide, India’s ‘ticking bomb’ – Al Jazeera English

Bibipur, India – The jubilant young man’s arrival brought an abrupt halt to the card game contested by the turbaned group sitting under the tree. He thought he had good news for them: “I’ve been blessed with a baby girl!” he announced proudly. The response was not what he expected – the group’s shock quickly […]

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11 Jul, 2015

Israeli women launch fast for peace on Gaza war anniversary – DAWN.COM

JERUSALEM: Israeli Jews and Arabs launched a collective fast on Wednesday – the anniversary of last year’s Gaza war – to back their demands for peace with the Palestinians. Members of the “Women Wage Peace” group set up a protest tent outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official Jerusalem residence and plan to take it in […]

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11 Jul, 2015

Chinese tourism to Japan expected to be hit by stock market woes – Japan Times

TOKYO – The plunge in China’s stock market and concerns about its economic growth are having effects well beyond the nation’s borders — with shares of Japanese companies that benefit from Chinese tourists also declining. Tourism has boomed in Japan as the yen has weakened, with visitors from mainland China more than doubling in the […]

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10 Jul, 2015

MasterCard faces European Commission probe over cross-border rules, interchange fees

Brussels, 09 July 2015, European Commission media release — The European Commission today has sent a Statement of Objections to MasterCard. The Statement of Objections outlines the Commission’s preliminary view that MasterCard’s rules prevent banks from offering lower interchange fees to retailers based in another Member State of the European Economic Area (EEA), where interchange […]

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10 Jul, 2015

PalFest: Connecting Ireland and Palestine through Art

DUBLIN, July 9, 2015 (WAFA) – Marking the first anniversary of the 50-day devastating Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, hundreds of international and Palestinian activists organized a four-day long arts festival to demonstrate firm solidarity and denounce and remind the world about the deadly Gaza aggression through art as a universal language. The festival, […]

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10 Jul, 2015

Senior Israeli Military Officers Recommend Easing Gaza Border Restrictions

TEL AVIV, July 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Several senior Israeli military officers Wednesday recommended taking measures to ease restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip, reported Israeli media. Israeli daily Haaretz reported on unnamed senior Israeli military officers recommending that the opening of Gaza border crossings be expanded. The recommendations involve allowing “thousands of Palestinians to […]

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10 Jul, 2015

China, S. Africa agree to push for greater role for BRICS in int’l affairs

UFA, Russia, (Xinhua), July 09, 2015 — China and South Africa agreed here on Thursday to stand together to safeguard the common interests of emerging market economies and developing countries. The pledge was made during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, ahead of the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation […]

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10 Jul, 2015

China expects 2.6 trillion yuan in transport investment this year

BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) — The Chinese transport sector is poised to attract 2.6 trillion yuan (425 billion U.S. dollars) of investment for this year as authorities strive to accelerate infrastructure construction. “The transport sector showed signs of improvement in the first half. If there are no major changes, we are very confident of realizing […]

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9 Jul, 2015

ASEAN invites Youth to Creative Industry Fair, 28-30 August

JAKARTA, 3 July 2015, ASEAN Secretariat News – The biggest event for ASEAN youth to advance the creative industry will be held on 28-30 August in Jakarta. ASEAN Youth Creative Industry Fair (AYCIF) is the first competition of its kind where it aims to spotlight at innovative and creative works from youths of ASEAN and […]

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8 Jul, 2015

Muslim girl named best-dressed student at US school – DAWN.COM

NEW YORK: A hijab-wearing Muslim of Palestinian descent has been named the best-dressed girl at a school in New Jersey state, according to a website. Abrar Shahin, a student of Clifton High School, sports a black skirt and skinny jeans, ankle-high boots and a cropped white blazer in her yearbook photo. Her make-up is just […]

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8 Jul, 2015

UN health agency recommends taxing tobacco products to curb deadly global smoking

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 7 July 2015 – Only one in 10 of people now live in countries that levy taxes of more than 75 per cent on a pack of cigarettes despite the fact that raising taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective – and cost-effective – ways to reduce […]

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8 Jul, 2015

In high-tech, high-stress Asia, “Peace of Mind” products/services will be best-sellers – GfK research

Bangkok – As the people of Asia become more urbanised, more enamoured of technology and spend more time at work, the resulting high-stress societies will create big opportunities for products and services which promote convenience, pleasure and peace of mind. That trend, already well under way, explains why travel & tourism, arguably the only economic […]

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8 Jul, 2015

15th Global Barometer Survey Results for Exhibition Industry 2015-16 released

Paris – July 7, 2015 (UFI media release): Results of UFI’s 15th Global Barometer survey indicate positive turnover expectations for 2015 and the first half of 2016, with in all regions an average of 6 exhibition companies out of 10 declaring increases. When compared to 2014, this appears to be a rather stable situation for […]

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8 Jul, 2015

New Australian award created to combat racism

Canberra, (AHRC media release) 7 July 2015 – The Australian Human Rights Commission is proud to announce the creation of the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ Award. “The new Award recognises an organisation which has made an extraordinary contribution to reducing or preventing racism in Australia,” said President Gillian Triggs. The Racism. It Stops With […]

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8 Jul, 2015

Israel’s Army Of Spin-Doctors Is Doomed To Defeat – Jonathan Cook, Countercurrents

Nazareth: The Israeli government believes it is locked in an epic struggle to save Israel from the growing movement calling for an international boycott. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that Israel must quickly “rebrand” itself to avoid pariah status. Ordinary Israelis are therefore being conscripted into an army of spin-doctors in a campaign termed “hasbara” […]

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8 Jul, 2015

Welcome to Modistan | Arab News

Can one imagine David Cameron or Barack Obama or Angela Merkel or Francois Hollande making trips abroad, while their respective countries reel from blood-soaked trails of the most sinister scam? Can one imagine the leaders not succumbing to calls for resignation, when that scam leaves behind 48 unexplained deaths? Logic says they should step aside […]

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8 Jul, 2015

The blood-soaked trail of India’s massive Vyapam scam – Quartz

While shady deals aren’t exactly unusual in Asia’s third largest economy, the Vyapam scam—or the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board scam—is getting murkier and scarier by the day. Since 2007, thousands of applicants in Madhya Pradesh have allegedly paid bribes to manipulate examination results for government jobs and medical colleges, according to police. A number […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Riyadh’s Ramadan tents are a big draw | Arab News

RIYADH: Hotels in the capital have made special arrangements by setting up Ramadan tents, where diners can visit to begin and break their fast with special suhoor and iftar meals during the ongoing fasting month. As the Ramadan tent is a popular phenomenon in the Kingdom and other Arab countries, Arab News explored the special […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Power of Spiritual Travel: Record 14 million visit Mecca in 16 days of Ramadan

JEDDAH, 7 July 2015 (Arab News): More than 14 million worshippers and pilgrims visited Makkah in the first 16 days of Ramadan, a 40 percent increase compared to the same period last year. These figures were unveiled at a meeting of the Central Haj Committee, chaired by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, a local publication […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Ku Klux Klan plans July 18 rally as black churches burn – Sydney Morning Herald

Charleston: The Ku Klux Klan plans to rally in South Carolina, even as black churches have been warned to take “necessary precautions” as authorities in southern states investigate several church fires over the last week. The Loyal White Knights chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, based in Pelham, North Carolina, said it will rally at […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s tips for success in business | Asia Times

Want to be a successful entrepreneur in these hard times? Jack Ma, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s billionaire founder, has some useful tips for you. He jotted them after being inspired by some people he met during his travels. Jack Ma says entrepreneurs should be grateful to their customers Never think of becoming rich overnight. Running a […]

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7 Jul, 2015

New Muslims describe their Ramadan experience | GulfNews.com

Dubai: For most Muslims, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, is a time to practise self-discipline and spiritual reflection. Along with abstaining from food and drink from dusk to dawn for 30 consecutive days, Muslims should refrain from sinful behaviour and speech, and redirect their focus from life’s distractions to worship and […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Social media blamed for huge rise in China divorce cases

By CAO YIN and LUO WANGSHU

Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-07-06 – The growing use of social media is a major factor behind a dramatic increase in the divorce rate, according to a lawyer. Couples who spend too long chatting online instead of talking and devoting time to each other risk growing apart, said Liu Lin of Beijing Shuangli Law Firm. Nine […]

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7 Jul, 2015

U.S. Disability group launches nationwide advertising campaign: “Shattered”

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) July 06, 2015 – Disability Justice launched its nationwide advertising campaign “Shattered” on July 6, 2015. “Shattered” depicts what the Social Security disability advocacy group’s clients have all experienced: the feeling of a life broken because a disability prevents them from working. Disability Justice’s Partner Thomas Giordano, Jr. believes that “Shattered” will […]

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7 Jul, 2015

7/7 anniversary: Islamophobia and the London bombings, one decade on — RT UK

Blair’s speech, which branded Islamic extremism an “evil ideology” with “devilish logic,” was not the beginning of Islamophobia in Britain. As Merali notes, it is tempting to see such events as a starting point when in fact they are part of a “trajectory” of popular sentiment. But by saying the acts were “founded in belief,” […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Waqf Minister: Jewish extremists committed 184 violations against Islamic Holy Sites in two months

RAMALLAH, July 5, 2015 (WAFA) – At least 184 violations by Israeli authorities against the holy sites in East Jerusalem and Hebron were reported in the recent two months, Sunday reported Yousef Id’ies, Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs. While violations in Jerusalem mainly involved provocative visits by extremist Jewish settlers, those in Hebron included […]

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7 Jul, 2015

European taxpayers fork out €18.1M for Palestinian salaries, pensions for June

RAMALLAH, July 6, 2015 (WAFA) – The European Union and the Netherlands Monday announced a contribution of around €18.1 million ($20 million) to the Palestinian Authority’s payment of June salaries and pensions. This contribution, which is channelled through the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent […]

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7 Jul, 2015

British PM missing the lessons of 7/7 | GulfNews.com

Like Blair, the current British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is preoccupied with ‘spin’; the main debate exercising the British establishment at the moment is whether or not the media should call Daesh the ‘Islamic State’ or by its Arabic acronym, Daesh. With this extremist entity continuing to expand across Iraq and Syria, and with outposts […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Firm faith: The company bosses who pray – BBC News

Saying prayers with colleagues would feel a bit uncomfortable, too intimate an activity in the workplace for many people. Yet at Chinese real estate giant Tentimes Group, that is exactly what they do in the boardroom before making important decisions. Three-quarters of the firm’s eight-strong senior management team are Christians and founder and chairman Wang […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Save the Children blog – Gaza one year on: The lasting scars of war on children

By Daisy Baldwin Monday 6 July 2015 , Save the Children – In the silence of the rubble, a tinny tune starts up. For a moment I think it sounds like an ice-cream van but a colleague tells me it’s the desalination truck letting people know that they can buy water. It is summer again […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Indonesians going abroad must report online: Ministry | The Jakarta Post

The case of an Indonesian believed to have gone missing in Syria has prompted the Foreign Ministry to issue a regulation requiring any Indonesian traveling outside the country to report online before departure. The regulation, which is aimed at helping the ministry to monitor Indonesian citizens abroad, will be issued in August. Foreign Ministry spokesman […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Sikh pilgrims bring memories of a past life to Hassanabdal, Pakistan – DAWN.COM

After waiting for 70 years, Karanveer Singh, a pilgrim from Hoshiarpur in India, is finally allowed to visit Pakistan. Mixed feelings of nostalgia and reverence overtake him as he pays homage to Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his 176th death anniversary. In the midst of rituals and preparations, he yearns to meet someone from Toba Tek […]

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7 Jul, 2015

“Islam” As A Conduit For Western Terrorism – Ghali Hassan, Countercurrents

by Ghali Hassan In his recent address to a summit on “countering violent terrorism” in Washington, President Barack Obama repeatedly stressed the need to talk “squarely and honestly” about the “root causes” of terrorism. As a master of deceit, President Obama did his best to cover up the U.S. vicious role in global terrorism. In […]

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7 Jul, 2015

Ramadan is a good time to question crude stereotypes – Sydney Morning Herald

By Jeremy Hillman As with other religions, Islam contains teachings that can be misappropriated by those seeking power, vengeance or destruction. Yet, for the overwhelming majority of Muslims in Australia and around the world, their lives are a daily quest for one thing: peace. Understanding this better might turn out to be a more potent […]

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7 Jul, 2015

American White Supremacists Extend Their Reach Through Websites – New York Times

As investigators comb through the data streams of Mr. Roof’s electronic equipment, a four-page manifesto apparently written by him before the killings offers a virtual road map to modern-day white supremacy. It contains bitter complaints about black crime and immigration, espousing the virtues of segregation and debating the viability of an all-white enclave in the […]

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7 Jul, 2015

A glimpse of Palestinian reality few American Jews ever see — Ha’aretz

The everyday inequalities of life in the West Bank are unfamiliar to the average American. Matters such as the quality of school your child goes to, the amount of water available to you, and the number of hours you’ll wait at a checkpoint to go to work in the morning are just a few of […]

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6 Jul, 2015

First Brunei Islamic Fashion Exhibition aims to unite local designers

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 06 July 2015 (19 Ramadaan 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 […]

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6 Jul, 2015

Interfaith Ramadan dinners in Detroit seek to promote unity

Detroit, Michigan, (IINA), Monday 06 Jul 2015 – Hundreds of people packed a Dearborn Heights mosque last week for an interfaith Ramadan dinner that featured Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders preaching message of unity and tolerance, according to Detroit Free Express. The event falls on a Jewish day of fasting, an overlap that organizers say […]

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6 Jul, 2015

Religious harmony in Bangladesh as Buddhist monks share food with Muslims

DHAKA, July 5 (Xinhua) — Not far from Dhaka’s main railway station in Kamalapur, two contemplative traditions are producing a surprising and timely insight. Muslims, who are encouraged to ponder the grace of creation during the month of fasting, and Buddhist monks, who live a strict, rule-bound life of meditation, are building bridges of interfaith […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Hotel Workers Union: What is really at stake in the Greek crisis

1 July 2015 Editorial by the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of a democratic alternative to austerity. The Syriza government of Greece incarnates that alternative, which is why the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) have allied […]

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5 Jul, 2015

More Britons believe that multiculturalism makes the country worse: Poll

More people in Britain believe that multiculturalism makes the country worse than those who believe it makes the country better, according to a new survey. The survey by YouGov, commissioned by the Huffington Post, demonstrates a large decrease in the proportion of the population who believe that multiculturalism benefits the country. The latest figures, polled […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Mass killings may be contagious: US study

MIAMI: Mass killings in the United States may be contagious, according to a study Thursday which found that each deadly tragedy can increase the likelihood of another incident soon to follow. Scientists examined data from 1998 to 2013 on school shootings and other mass killings in the United States, according to the findings in the […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Tunisian campaign uses terrorism images in the West to bring back tourists – The Independent

A provocative advertising campaign featuring images of terror attacks in Western capitals urges tourists not to abandon Tunisia in the wake of its own terror attack. The campaign, launched by a Tunisian communications firm, asks “would you stop visiting” alongside images of London during the 7/7 bombings, New York during the 9/11 attack on the […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Cuba, US join hands to protect Hemingway’s legacy

HAVANA, (Xinhua) 2015-06-21 — Two Cuban and US cultural institutions announced that they will continue to work together to protect US writer Ernest Hemingway’s legacy. The announcement was made by Cuba’s National Council for Cultural Heritage and the US Finca Vigia Foundation.X The two institutions have joined together once again to protect the 1954 Nobel laureate’s […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Thai-China railway talks making good progress

BANGKOK, July 2 (NNN-XINHUA) — China and Thailand have made concrete progress in their talks on the construction of a railway in Thailand which will connect the northeastern Thai province on Nong Khai with Bangkok and Rayong Province in eastern Thailand on the Gulf of Thaialnd, says the Chinese chief negotiator, Wang Xiaotao. Wang said […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Israel Again Closes Gaza’s Lone Commercial Border Crossing

GAZA, July 1, 2015 (WAFA) – Israel closed on Wednesday Karm Abu Salem, also known as Kerem Shalom, the only commercial border crossing between Israel and Gaza located to the southeast of Rafah, preventing entry of aid, construction material and fuel into the besieged Gaza Strip. Chairman of the Presidential Committee for the Coordination of […]

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5 Jul, 2015

‘Free landing’ of Taiwan residents on Chinese mainland begins

Beijing, (Xinhua) 2015-07-02 – Lu Yee-yen arrived at Xiamen City on the mainland on board the New Golden Dragon on Wednesday morning, thirty minutes after leaving Kinmen County, Taiwan.She got off the ship and had entered the mainland in a minute, without producing any entry permit. “So convenient, really great,” She said, showing her travel […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Indonesian alcohol prohibition bill could soon become law: The Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s alcohol prohibition bill is one step closer to becoming law with the House of Representatives agreeing on Friday to further discussion of the bill. All party factions handed over written approvals on the deliberation of the bill during the House’s plenary meeting on Friday. Deputy chair of the House’s legislative body, Firman Soebagyo, said […]

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5 Jul, 2015

An American Muslim perspective on the Fourth of July

By Nihad Awad 07/03/2015 – This Fourth of July weekend, friends and families around the country will gather together to celebrate the freedoms we cherish as Americans, those for which countless generations have struggled and sacrificed so much. Women mourn during a vigil for three Muslims killed at a condominium in Chapel Hill, N.C. in […]

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5 Jul, 2015

As scams and scandals rage in India, Prime Minister keeps mum | Arab News

The Modi government is in a free fall ever since it completed one year in office on May 26. Brickbats are raining over the government from all sides and the rain of brickbats is sure to turn into torrential rain when Monsoon session of the Parliament begins on July 21. Few governments have had such […]

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5 Jul, 2015

Japan’s Transport Ministry draws up bill to restrict drone flights | The Japan Times

TOKYO – The transport ministry has drawn up a bill aimed at introducing restrictions on drone flights, following incidents earlier this year, including one in April in which a small unidentified drone was flown on to the roof of the prime minister’s office in central Tokyo. The bill to amend the aviation law, submitted to […]

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3 Jul, 2015

Applications open for first ASEAN People’s Awards, with US$10,000 in prize money each

JAKARTA, (ASEAN secretariat News) – The search is on for the Recipients of the ASEAN People’s Awards. Ten outstanding individuals and/or organisations from ASEAN Member States will be honoured for their contributions to ASEAN community building. The Recipients will be recognized at the next ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this November where their work will […]

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3 Jul, 2015

Rights Groups Ask Oprah Winfrey to Renounce Jewish Diamond Mogul over Rights Abuses

NEW YORK, July 2, 2015 (WAFA) – Nine organizations and 34 individuals from the United States, Palestine, Israel and South Africa called on Wednesday on the US celebrity Oprah Winfrey to publicly distance herself from the companies of Israel billionaire Lev Leviev. Winfrey have recently worn Leviev diamonds on the cover of the May 2015, […]

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3 Jul, 2015

Rabbi Michael Lerner: U.S. needs to replace Independence with Interdependence

By Rabbi Michael Lerner, Network of Spiritual Progressives There is much to celebrate in the goodness of the United States, even while acknowledging all of the nation’s problems. We spiritual progressives invite people of all faiths, as well as the nonreligious, to avoid celebrating “bombs bursting in air” and all other displays of American nationalist […]

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3 Jul, 2015

4th of July Message to the U.S.: No Empire Lasts Forever

Commentary by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire

The travel & tourism industry is one of the first and worst to be affected by all kinds of crises, be they environmental, economic or geopolitical. In an era of predominantly man-made global crises, the global leadership cannot shirk accountability. The United States claims to be the global leader, but there is no democratic way […]

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2 Jul, 2015

Silversea Cruises projects arrival of new ultra-luxury flagship in April 2017

Hong Kong– July 2, 2015)– Silversea Cruises has announced that their new flagship, the “Silver Muse”, is to be delivered in April 2017. The ultra-luxury ship is being built by Fincantieri and at 40,000 grt accommodates 596 guests, representing an exciting evolution of the Silver Spirit that will redefine ocean travel, enhancing the small-ship intimacy […]

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2 Jul, 2015

125 CEOs, Business Leaders Call for Accurate Labelling to Identify Food Containing GMOs

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 01, 2015 – One hundred twenty-five (125) U.S. CEOs and business leaders from across the country called on President Barack Obama to keep his 2007 campaign pledge to give Americans the right to know what is in their food by directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require food companies to label […]

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2 Jul, 2015

Why Washington failed to stop the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

by Ding Gang

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online)  July 01, 2015 – Representatives of 57 prospective founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) gathered in Beijing on Monday for the signing ceremony, with 50 of them endorsing the AIIB agreement. The bank is regarded as a bold attempt for China to expand its international influence and challenge […]

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2 Jul, 2015

Japanese population posts largest annual decline on record | The Japan Times

Kyodo Jul 1, 2015 – Japan’s population excluding resident foreigners totaled 126,163,576 as of Jan. 1, down 271,058 from a year earlier, the biggest decline since the current population survey started in 1968, the government said Wednesday. That was the sixth straight annual decline, with the data showing the drop is accelerating as the number […]

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2 Jul, 2015

New Australian visa policy takes effect to attract the rich and talented

Canberra, 1 July 2015, Joint media release by the Minister for Trade and Investment and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection — New arrangements for investor visa applicants that will encourage investment into innovative Australian research and development and emerging local companies come into effect today. Expressions of Interest for the enhanced Significant Investor […]

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2 Jul, 2015

UN issues first-ever heatwave warning guidelines as global temperatures soar

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 1 July 2015 – Two United Nations agencies have unveiled a series of new guidelines aimed at addressing the health risks posed by the increasing number and intensity of climate change-related heatwaves affecting the planet, as warm weather alerts spread across Europe following soaring temperatures that killed hundreds of people […]

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2 Jul, 2015

WikiLeaks exposes U.S. eavesdropping on top German ministers, officials, with U.K. help

Julian Assange, Sarah Harrison and Kristinn Hrafnsson

WikiLeaks Press Release, 1 July 2015 — The United States National Security Agency has been massively targeting phone numbers of top German ministers and public officials responsible for commerce, finances, economics and agriculture – including even Angela Merkel’s personal assistant. WikiLeaks publishes today, 1 July 2015, a list of 69 German government telephone numbers from […]

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2 Jul, 2015

The coming death of democracy: The rising threat to investigative journalism

It used to be possible to promise confidentiality to sources – guaranteeing protection of their identities, even on pain of jail – in countries where legal source protection frameworks were robust. But, internationally, ethical commitments to, and legal protections for, journalistic sources are being undercut by surveillance (both mass surveillance and targeted surveillance), and mandatory […]

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1 Jul, 2015

Shopping discounts for Cambodians against corruption

Phnom Penh, 29 June 2015, Transparency International media release — More than 8,000 people in Cambodia are now enjoying discounts in shops across the capital Phnom Penh thanks to their new Anti-Corruption Card, which Transparency International Cambodia is offering to all those who sign their Declaration against Corruption. Image: Transparency International Cambodia The card, which […]

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1 Jul, 2015

Vietnam Airlines becomes world’s second operator of the A350 XWB

Ho Chi Minh City, 30 June 2015, (Vietnam Airlines media release) – Vietnam Airlines has become the second airline in the world to operate the all-new A350 XWB, following a special ceremony in Toulouse yesterday. The A350-900 aircraft was delivered to global lessor AerCap on lease to the airline for operation on long haul routes […]

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1 Jul, 2015

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Group’s “Escape the Ordinary” promotions until 31 Aug 2015

Hong Kong, 1 July 2015 (Media release) – From extra perks to value add-ons, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts invites guests to take a summer trip and “Escape the Ordinary” at more than 80 Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders hotels worldwide until 31 August 2015. Room or suite reservations confirmed at Best Available Rate as part of […]

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1 Jul, 2015

Hospitality workers union flags labour dispute at LA DoubleTree by Hilton, being sold by UBS

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– June 30, 2015: The following media release was issued by UNITE HERE: The DoubleTree by Hilton in Downtown Los Angeles is a hotel with an ongoing labor dispute. The DoubleTree by Hilton is currently up for sale by owner United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). For more information on the dispute visit: dontbuythedoubletree.org […]

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1 Jul, 2015

DOCOMO launches Free Wi-Fi Service for Overseas Climbers to Use on Mt. Fuji

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 30, 2015 — NTT DOCOMO, INC. (TOKYO:9437) (NYSE:DCM), the Japanese mobile operator that provides each customer with innovative, convenient and secure mobile services, announced today the launch of a free Wi-Fi® service in collaboration with Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures to encourage overseas climbers to make use of DOCOMO’s Wi-Fi network on the slopes […]

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1 Jul, 2015

United Church of Christ casts landslide vote to boycott companies profiting from Israel’s occupation of Palestine

Cleveland, JUNE 30, 2015 (UCC PIN Media release) – The United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network (UCC PIN) is pleased to announce that today the plenary of the 30th General Synod taking place in Cleveland passed Resolution #4, calling for boycotts and divestment from companies that profit from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands. “As disciples […]

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1 Jul, 2015

Iranian Americans tell 2016 U.S. Presidential candidates to avoid offensive generalisations

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thirty-seven prominent Iranian Americans, consisting of current and former government officials, foreign policy experts, scientists, business leaders, authors and media personalities, sent an open letter urging the 2016 presidential candidates to refrain from broad generalizations about the Iranian people when discussing the prospective nuclear agreement taking shape between the P5+1 and Iran. The letter […]

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