31 Dec, 2015

Big cities in China luring talent despite drawbacks

By Su Zhou

Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-12-16 -Despite heavy smog, skyrocketing house prices and living pressures, China’s first-tier cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, are still the top the choices for the best brains. At the same time, smaller cities trying to attract high-end talent are facing challenges both in recruiting and retention. Zhaopin.com, a Chinese human resources […]

31 Dec, 2015

Richest 10 per cent in UK ‘own half the country’s wealth’ – The Independent

The richest 10 per cent of households in the UK own nearly half of the country’s total wealth, while poorest the half of households represent just nine per cent, new official statistics reveal. Findings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reveal that wealth inequality is growing, with the richest tenth of society seeing […]

31 Dec, 2015

European tourists staying away from Israel in droves | The Electronic Intifada

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A deeper look at the official statistics reveals that Israel is actually experiencing a dramatic and sustained decline in tourism from European countries, its most important markets, that cannot be attributed just to recent events. In the 11 months from January to November 2013, 2.1 million European tourists visited Israel – accounting for about three […]

31 Dec, 2015

How the Israel boycott movement struck major blows in 2015 | The Electronic Intifada

In September 2014, on the eve of the Jewish new year, Israel’s leading financial daily named Omar Barghouti among the 100 people most likely to influence the country’s economy in the following year. Calcalist, the business supplement of the mass circulation newspaper Yediot Ahronot, said that the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, which Barghouti helped […]

31 Dec, 2015

Travel Advisory for Muslims in America: Exercise caution and report discrimination

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Washington, DC | www.adc.org | December 30, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) advises community members to exercise caution and vigilance while traveling over the holidays. Those flying on commercial airlines should excerise special caution. Please take your safety seriously when you receive threats of violence to yourself or your relatives and report any discrimination or […]

31 Dec, 2015

Sustainable Development Goals to kick in with start of New Year

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) Dec 30, 2015 – As 2015 comes to an end, and with it the 15-year cycle of the anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations officially will usher in – on 1 January 2016 – an even more ambitious set of goals to banish a whole host of social […]

30 Dec, 2015

The Truth About Alcohol – Special Report to promote responsible drinking over the festive season

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WebMD, a U.S. medical and health information website, has issued a special report about the good and bad side of alcohol consumption. As there is going to be a LOT of alcohol consumed in the next few days, this Travel Impact Newswire compilation of the weblinks is intended to help save a few livers and […]

30 Dec, 2015

The true price of happiness: Three important lessons for a good life

Harvard professor Robert Waldinger is the director of a 75-year study following the lives of 724 men. It is the longest happiness study ever conducted. In a new TED talk, Waldinger revealed the three main findings of the study and they weren’t being able to buy the world’s most expensive wine, becoming famous or being […]

30 Dec, 2015

Ford Trends Report 2016: Despite Challenges, Consumers Increasingly Driven To Make The World A Better Place

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DEARBORN, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 28, 2015  – In a world of constant and dramatic change, new insights from Ford’s Looking Further with Ford 2016 trend report reveal a renewed sense of inspiration and ingenuity among consumers striving for a better quality of life in the New Year – motivated more than ever to make the world […]

29 Dec, 2015

9 reasons why the Thailand Halal Assembly is NOT just another ordinary trade event

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Thailand lies at the heart of ASEAN. Like an umbilical lifeline, the isthmus of Thailand-Malaysia links the Buddhist-majority northern half of ASEAN to the Muslim-majority southern half. This makes Thailand, a Buddhist majority country with the largest Muslim minority in ASEAN, a geographical bridgehead between two regions as well as a symbolic bond […]

28 Dec, 2015

Jordanian Airlines Resumes Flights To Jakarta

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 28 December 2015 (16 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA GO SHOPPING AND ENJOY! 1MALAYSIA YEAR END […]

28 Dec, 2015

Ex-ASEAN chief Surin Pitsuwan calls for “New Beginning” in Islamic world

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Thailand’s best-known Muslim personality Dr Surin Pitsuwan has called on the global Islamic community to use the growing number of halal events to think well beyond food, products and services and chart a “new beginning” with a focus on solving many of the world’s looming problems. Addressing the closing ceremony of the annual […]

27 Dec, 2015

More Than One Million People Will Celebrate New Year’s Eve in 150 Countries on Airbnb

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SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 17, 2015 – Airbnb, the world’s leading community-driven hospitality company, today announced that on New Year’s Eve 2015, it is projected that over one million people will stay in an Airbnb, the company’s largest bookings to date for a single night. In true globetrotting fashion, travelers hailing from 170 countries will stay […]

27 Dec, 2015

Project Launched to Help Children with Autism Fly Comfortably

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE) – Dec 23, 2015 –A new initiative has been launched to offer parents the opportunity to take their child with autism on a short experience flight so they can assess how they cope with the whole process and develop strategies to overcome any issues. The lives of thousands of families are affected by […]

26 Dec, 2015

What If Jesus Had Been Born In 2015 In The American Police State? – Countercurrents

The Christmas narrative of a baby born in a manger is a familiar one. The Roman Empire, a police state in its own right, had ordered that a census be conducted. Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary traveled to the little town of Bethlehem so that they could be counted.There being no room for the […]

26 Dec, 2015

Jakarta’s Archbishop expresses gratitude for peaceful Christmas services

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) 25 December 2015 – – Jakartas Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo expressed gratitude to all law enforcers and the government for their efforts to ensure that the Christmas services were held smoothly and peacefully. “Allow me to express gratitude to all government officials, the president, the vice president, the National Police chief, the commander […]

26 Dec, 2015

Dampened by Violence, Christmas Celebrations Held in Bethlehem

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BETHLEHEM, December 24, 2014 (WAFA) – Overshadowed by the ongoing violence since early October 2015 and the death of over 135 Palestinians, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal arrived Thursday at Bethlehem’s Manger Square, marking the start of Christmas Eve celebrations in Palestine. Twal’s procession took off from the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem and made […]

26 Dec, 2015

Middle class a growing, positive force in China

By Ma Chi

Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-12-25 – China’s emerging middle class has grown into a major force driving the society in a positive direction, according to a report by one of China’s top think tanks. Slightly over half of the population in Beijing and Shanghai fall in the category of “middle class”, as does around 40 percent in […]

26 Dec, 2015

The checkpoint-ridden journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, today – Al Jazeera English

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, today Mary and Joseph would have to pass through Israeli checkpoints, occupied land, illegal settlements and separation wall. See the interactive report and read the rest: The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, today – Al Jazeera English

23 Dec, 2015

What If Jesus Had Been Born In 2015 In The American Police State? – Countercurrents.org

The Christmas narrative of a baby born in a manger is a familiar one. The Roman Empire, a police state in its own right, had ordered that a census be conducted. Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary traveled to the little town of Bethlehem so that they could be counted.There being no room for the […]

22 Dec, 2015

U.S. Muslim Leaders Announce Campaigns to Enhance National Security, Address Rising Islamophobia

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/21/15) — The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local Muslim organizations, today announced major educational, outreach and civic empowerment initiatives to address growing Islamophobia in America and to enhance national security through the promotion of freedom and justice. [The USCMO news conference was aired live on […]

22 Dec, 2015

Americans Name Terrorism as No. 1 U.S. Problem – Gallup Polls

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, Americans are now more likely to name terrorism as the top issue facing the U.S. than to name any other issue — including those that have typically topped the list recently, such as the economy and the government. About one in […]

22 Dec, 2015

2015: The Year the Merchants of Death Hijacked the Industry of Peace

Imtiaz Muqbil

BANGKOK – The defining development of 2015 was not a success story but a tragic failure — the total and absolute failure of the war on terror (WoT). That was accompanied by a complete absence of demands for accountability for the thousands of lives lost, the trillions of dollars squandered, the people displaced, the monumental […]

21 Dec, 2015

19 students barred from boarding US-bound Air India flight in Hyderabad | The Indian Express

Air India barred 19 students from boarding its flight to the USA on the grounds that the two universities in which they had secured admission are under “scrutiny” by American authorities. The national carrier asked its staff to not allow the 19 students to board its flight to San Francisco at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport […]

21 Dec, 2015

Asia’s first Islamic-compliant airline takes off

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 21 December 2015 (10 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA GO SHOPPING AND ENJOY! 1MALAYSIA YEAR END […]

21 Dec, 2015

Huge future for Iran’s railroad projects

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TEHRAN, Dec 18, (NNN-IRNA) – Following the nuclear deal struck between Iran and world powers on July 14 this year, it is widely expected that sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council will be lifted sometime in January. Once this happens, Iran will be free to start doing business with the many national delegations that […]

21 Dec, 2015

Railway cooperation with China ushers in new era for Thai infrastructure development

By Zhang Chunxiao, Yang Yunyan and Chen Jiabao

BEIJING, (Xinhua), 2015-12-20 — The ground was broken on Saturday for Chinese and Thai companies to build the first standard-gauge railway in Thailand, applying China’s technology, standard and equipment, the China Railway Corporation (CRC) said. Earlier on Saturday, a launching ceremony was held at Chiang Rak Noi Station in central Thailand’s Ayutthaya province, according to […]

21 Dec, 2015

Indonesian film explores anti-Muslim discrimination in the US – The Jakarta Post

Acha Septriasa and Abimana Aryasatya mark their return to the screen after starring in 99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa (Ninety-nine Lights in the European Sky) and its two sequels — the predecessors of their latest film Bulan Terbelah di Langit Amerika (Split Moon in the American Sky). The latest film, Bulan Terbelah, gives a glimpse […]

19 Dec, 2015

Instilling fear in Americans – Arab News

By Sabria S. Jawahar Following the San Bernardino, Calif., shootings and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to ban entry of all Muslims to the United States my non-Muslim mother-in-law and stepdaughter expressed their fears over my safety when I come to the United States. It was particularly alarming to me since my husband’s family […]

19 Dec, 2015

‘Palestinian children live in trauma without end’ – Al Jazeera English

Rafah, Gaza Strip – Ismail Abu Shebab, a shy 11-year-old taking a break from school, opened his mouth to speak – but the overhead roar of Israeli warplanes made his words nearly inaudible. As the aircraft came closer, Abu Shebab grew silent. “I’m ready to talk,” he said after a few moments. Abu Shebab suffers […]

19 Dec, 2015

Guess who demanded £330,000 for a 20-minute speech at a world hunger event? – The Independent

Over the weekend, it was reported that Tony Blair pulled out of addressing The World Hunger Forum in Stockholm because his £330k price tag for turning up and talking just couldn’t be met. According to one source, the food company organising the event, Eat, dropped Blair because “his star power is fast diminishing”. But regardless […]

19 Dec, 2015

Defying prejudice, more Americans learn Arabic – Al Jazeera English

New York, United States – Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric tells one story about the modern day US. But, students painstakingly learning Arabic’s right-to-left script in classrooms across the country tells another. While fewer Americans speak Arabic than English, Spanish, Chinese or even Tagalog, it is perhaps the nation’s fastest-growing language and is […]

19 Dec, 2015

Global Defence Budgets to Hit US$1.68 Trillion in 2016 as Security Fears Grow – Jane’s Annual Report

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 16, 2015 — Security fears and threats to stability have driven many Western governments to end cuts to defence spending, according to a new report released today by IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight. The IHS Jane’s Defence Budgets Annual Report examines and forecasts defence expenditure […]

19 Dec, 2015

Sikh man on US flight mocked, labelled bin Laden by co-passenger – The Times of India

NEW YORK: An elderly Sikh man in the US was filmed while sleeping on a flight by a co-passenger who posted the video online with a title ‘Would You Feel Safe’ and a description that says “flying with bin laden.” Darshan Singh, who was travelling on a Jetblue flight from New York to California in […]

19 Dec, 2015

The joy of Canada delivered from Stephen Harper’s darkness to Justin Trudeau’s light – The Independent

by Robert Fisk Let us now praise famous men… Justin Trudeau comes to mind. “Canada is back,” the country’s new Prime Minister told the climate conference in Paris – and closed the door on the bigoted, aggressive Canada which his Conservative predecessor had been trying to create. It’s nice to write a story that’s an […]

18 Dec, 2015

2015 ends with inspiring journalistic win for Travel Impact Newswire editor

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By Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor The year 2015 has ended for me on a high note with an inspiring journalistic victory accentuating the 100% accuracy of my analysis and forecasts. Roger Cohen, a columnist of the International Herald Tribune and New York Times, has all but echoed my repeated references to the Jewish fanatic extremist […]

17 Dec, 2015

Vegetarian diets could be bad for environment – The Independent

Eating a healthier diet rich in fruit and vegetables could actually be more harmful to the environment than consuming some meat, a US study has claimed. Lettuce is “over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon”, according to researchers from the Carnegie Mellon University who analysed the impact per calorie of different […]

17 Dec, 2015

1,000 Black Activists, Artists, and Scholars Demand Justice for Palestine

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Over 1,000 Black activists, artists, scholars, students, and organizations have launched a statement expressing their solidarity and commitment to ensuring justice for Palestinians. Signatories to the statement span a wide cross-section of Black activists and scholars, including Angela Davis, Boots Riley, Cornel West, dream hampton, Emory Douglas, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Pam Africa, Patrisse Cullors, Phil Hutchings, […]

17 Dec, 2015

Israel Closes Major Hebron Road with Barbed Wires

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HEBRON, December 15, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli troops Tuesday placed barbed wires and closed a major road in Hebron, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said Israeli troops closed a number of entrances which lead to Tal Rumeideh neighborhood and al-Shuhadaa Street in Hebron, under the pretext of ongoing rehabilitation of a military checkpoint in […]

17 Dec, 2015

Israel to Demolish Three Palestinian-owned Homes near Bethlehem

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BETHLEHEM, December 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Wednesday notified to demolish three two-storey homes belonging to local Palestinians in the village of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem, according to local sources. Ibrahim Salem, one of the owners, told WAFA that an Israeli army force stormed the village and broke into his house after smashing the […]

17 Dec, 2015

Palestinian Woman, 19, Succumbs to Wounds Sustained in Nablus Shooting

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NABLUS, December 16, 2015 (WAFA) – A 19-year-old young Palestinian woman Wednesday succumbed to wounds she sustained during an Israeli shooting at a major Nablus checkpoint in November, said security sources. On Wednesday afternoon, Samah ‘Abdul-Mu’men from ‘Ammuriya village, south of Nablus, succumbed to critical wounds she sustained after Israeli troops shot and seriously injured […]

17 Dec, 2015

Danish Fund Divests From German Company Operating in West Bank Settlements

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TEL AVIV, December 15, 2015 (WAFA) – Denmark’s largest private pension fund, FPA Pension, with assets close to $50 billion, is withdrawing its investments from the international construction materials corporation Heidelberg Cement, due to its indirect involvement in exploiting the natural resources of the occupied West Bank, the Israeli daily Haaretz said. FPA said it […]

17 Dec, 2015

More Than 200 South African Scholars Back Academic Boycott of Israel – Haaretz

More than 200 South African scholars pledged support for an academic boycott of Israel in a statement made on Tuesday. The scholars said they would not accept invitations to visit Israeli academic institutions and would not participate in conferences organized or funded by them. They will, however, continue to work with Israeli colleagues individually, if […]

17 Dec, 2015

U.N. Civil Society Forum on Palestine Mulls Innovative Ways to End Israeli Occupation

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JAKARTA, 16 December, UN Information Service — After the two-day International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem concluded on 15 December, the United Nations Civil Society Forum on the Question of Palestine met this morning to hear from experts and engage in discussions on the theme of “Civil society action in support of justice in Palestine […]

17 Dec, 2015

Israeli Troops Kills 2 Palestinians near Jerusalem, Death Toll Hits 124

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JERUSALEM, December 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Two Palestinians Wednesday were fatally shot and four others injured by Israeli troops during a predawn military raid on Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, according to medical sources. Local sources said hundreds of Israeli troops and undercover forces broke into the camp at about 1:00 am, provoking clashes […]

17 Dec, 2015

Amid Violence in Holy City, International Conference on Future of Jerusalem Convenes in Jakarta

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JAKARTA, 14 December 2015, United Nations Information Service — The two-day International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem opened in Jakarta, Indonesia, this morning under the theme “Addressing the present and shaping the future” of the city also known as Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, said it was no […]

17 Dec, 2015

Indonesia to open consulate in Ramallah, Palestine, in early 2016

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Selasa, 15 December 2015 (Antara News) – Indonesia will officially open an honorary consulate in Ramallah in early 2016 and will be led by a Palestinian, a foreign ministry official stated here on Tuesday. “Our honorary consul will indeed be a Palestinian citizen and will be posted in Ramallah,” the foreign ministry’s director general for […]

17 Dec, 2015

US Sikhs feel vulnerable, join with Muslims to combat backlash – The Times of India

CHICAGO: Pardeep Kaleka spent several days after 9/11 at his father’s South Milwaukee gas station, fearing that his family would be targeted by people who assumed they were Muslim. No, Kaleka explained on behalf of his father, who wore a turban and beard and spoke only in broken English, the family was Sikh, a southeast […]

17 Dec, 2015

No Festive Season in the Holy Land as unrelenting violence causes nearly one death a day

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 December 2015 – Although international attention has waned regarding the crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territory, the United Nations human rights office today warned that the region is still rife with violence and the recent escalation in the fighting has claimed 117 Palestinian lives, along with two […]

16 Dec, 2015

China to launch 10 pilot reforms for state enterprises in 2016

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(Xinhua), 12-12- 2015, BEIJING – China is to launch pilot reforms for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in 10 areas in 2016, including ownership and executive hiring policy, a senior official said Friday. Peng Huagang, deputy secretary general of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, made the remarks at a press briefing in […]

16 Dec, 2015

Holiday Grinches: New Study Shows How to Deal With Argumentative People

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Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) December 12, 2015 – It’s inevitable: Most people will agree that there is always one family member who can’t help but start an argument at nearly every family get-together. The question is, why? Research from Queendom.com indicates that although “Holiday Grinches” tend to have difficulty controlling their temper, the source of their […]

16 Dec, 2015

China announces 10 major programs to boost links with Africa over three years

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Xinhua, 04-12-2015, JOHANNESBURG — Chinese President Xi Jinping announced here Friday that his country will roll out 10 major plans to boost cooperation with Africa in the coming three years. Proposing to lift the China-Africa relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second summit of the […]

16 Dec, 2015

Which U.S. Presidential candidate would you like as a holiday season seatmate: GroundLink Surveys Business Travelers

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NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) DECEMBER 10, 2015 – With the holidays around the corner and the 2016 presidential candidates continuing to make headlines, GroundLink®, a leading tech-enabled black car service, surveyed more than 500 frequent business travelers on their opinions on holiday travel. When it comes to mixing holiday travel and politics, nearly 40 percent […]

16 Dec, 2015

Uber Legal Challenge Squashes Public Records Request on Eve of Seattle City Council Vote

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SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 11, 2015  – On the eve of a Seattle City Council vote that could grant collective bargaining rights to Uber drivers, Uber has sued King County and Seattle law firm Keller Rohrback L.L.P. to try to block a public records request for the number of licensed Uber drivers in Seattle. The Seattle City […]

16 Dec, 2015

Vormetric Survey: Data Breaches Would Threaten Americans’ Loyalty to Their Favorite Retailer

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Vormetric, a specialist in enterprise data security for physical, virtual, big data and cloud environments, today announced in conjunction with Wakefield the results of its survey on how Americans’ would change their shopping behaviors if their favorite retailer was hit by a data breach. The survey revealed that […]

16 Dec, 2015

America’s Health Rankings Report: Rising Drug Deaths, Obesity, Children in Poverty Pose Challenges

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MINNETONKA, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Americans are making meaningful progress on key health metrics including smoking less and leading less sedentary lifestyles, but rising rates of drug deaths, obesity, diabetes and children in poverty signal serious challenges, according to United Health Foundation’s 26th America’s Health Rankings® Annual Report: A Call to Action for Individuals & Their Communities. United […]

16 Dec, 2015

Brookhaven Retreat Offers Tips to Manage Stress During This Festive/Hectic Season

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(PRWEB) DECEMBER 10, 2015 – As late-fall and winter tend to be busy to the point of hectic, Brookhaven Retreat offers tips for self-care to manage stress. “Creating a life worth living is something that happens slowly, one step at a time,” says Jacqueline Dawes, founder and owner of Brookhaven Retreat. “It’s about being realistic, […]

16 Dec, 2015

For the first time, all countries empowered to nominate candidates for next UN Secretary-General

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 December 2015 – The 193 Member States of the United Nations will for the first time be included “totally” in the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly said today, pledging to make the process as transparent and inclusive as possible. Speaking to reporters […]

14 Dec, 2015

Saudi Arabia Halal Cosmetics Market to Grow at 15% P.A. until 2020

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 14 December 2015 (03 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA GO SHOPPING AND ENJOY! 1MALAYSIA YEAR END […]

13 Dec, 2015

Republican senator visits mosque to reject Donald Trump’s Muslim ban — Sydney Morning Herald

Washington: Donald Trump’s call on Monday to bar all Muslims from entering the US provoked a variety of reactions from Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill, ranging from silence to gentle disapproval to full-throated condemnation. But only one visited a mosque to speak up for religious tolerance and American unity. Senator Jeff Flake, of Arizona, attended a Friday afternoon […]

13 Dec, 2015

World’s richest 10% produce half of global carbon emissions – Oxfam report

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London, 2 December 2015, (Oxfam media release) – The poorest half of the world’s population – 3.5 billion people – is responsible for just 10 percent of carbon emissions, despite being the most threatened by the catastrophic storms, droughts, and other severe weather shocks linked to climate change.  These are the findings of a new […]

13 Dec, 2015

Leading U.S. anthropologists group passes Israel boycott resolution with 88% yes-vote

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By an overwhelming vote of 1,040 in favor and 136 against (88 percent), the American Anthropological Association (AAA) overwhelmingly approved a historic resolution to boycott Israeli academic institutions to honor the call of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS). The association voted at its annual business conference in Denver, Colorado, becoming the largest scholarly institution in the […]

13 Dec, 2015

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to open in mid-January 2016

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Beijing, (Xinhua), December 03, 2015 – The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will open in mid-January next year, said Chen Huan, who is in charge of preparations for the bank’s launch. It will meet the requirements for opening at the end of December, Chen said.   According to an agreement, the AIIB will be eligible […]

13 Dec, 2015

China needs $293 billion to met 2017 air pollution reduction target

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Beijing (China Daily.com.cn)  November 20, 2015 – An estimated investment of at least 1.87 trillion yuan ($ 293 billion) is needed to meet the target of the national plan to control air pollution, and current funds are inadequate, said a report on Thursday. A report, titled Investment Requirements and Potential Effects of Implementing China’s Air […]

13 Dec, 2015

The Forbes 400: Wealthiest 20 people own more wealth than half the U.S. population

By Chuck Collins and Josh Hoxie

WASHINGTON DC, Institute for Policy Studies, December 1, 2015 – This report exposes the extreme wealth concentrated within the fortunes of the 400 wealthiest Americans and compares this wealth to the much more meager assets of several different segments of American society. The report proposes several solutions to close the growing gap between the ultra […]

13 Dec, 2015

Indonesia to host international conference on Jerusalem

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Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) 12 December 2015 – Indonesia will host a two-day international conference on Jerusalem held by the United Nation Committee on Palestine (CEIRPP) to start on Monday in Jakarta. The delegates will discuss the status of Jerusalem and cooperation to resolve the Palestinian conflicts, Multilateral Director General at the Foreign Ministry […]

13 Dec, 2015

UN General Assembly passes resolution to curb illegal, unregulated fisheries

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United Nations, UN Media release, 8 December 2015 — With more than two dozen speakers and the heads of two of the world’s ocean and sea authorities proclaiming the crucial importance of healthy oceans and seas to coastal and landlocked States alike, the General Assembly today adopted a resolution on sustainable fisheries without a vote […]

12 Dec, 2015

Jewish billionaire’s Foundation banned as ‘threat to Russian national security’ – RT

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has recognized George Soros’s Open Society Institute and another affiliated organization as undesirable groups, banning Russian citizens and organizations from participation in any of their projects. In a statement released on Monday, prosecutors said the activities of the Open Society Institute and the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation were a […]

12 Dec, 2015

Australian and Islamic extremists are the same – Afghan refugee girl tells BBC News

When Mr Shortis went on in the video to claim he and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic state, would agree on their interpretation of Islam, Ms Haidary said she realised that in some ways Islamic extremists and Australia’s most militant anti-Islamic group were exactly the same. “They go straight on the Koran,” she […]

12 Dec, 2015

Edward Snowden meets Arundhati Roy and John Cusack: War, Greed & Terrorism – The Guardian

We talked about war and greed, about terrorism, and what an accurate definition of it would be. We spoke about countries, flags and the meaning of patriotism. We talked about public opinion and the concept of public morality and how fickle it could be, and how easily manipulated. It wasn’t a Q&A type of conversation. […]

12 Dec, 2015

Reclaiming India for democracy – Jairus Banaji, The Hindu

There is a growing sense that the centralisation of power in the hands of ‘one man’ and a sheer lack of competence at the level of the PMO have triggered a breakdown in the normal routines of government and caused disaffection in the ranks of the bureaucracy. Political interference in the Reserve Bank’s jealously guarded […]

9 Dec, 2015

Travel & Tourism in the New World Order: A Forecast for 2016

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Decision-making is a major challenge today. Too much change is taking place too fast across too many sectors, with too little time to think and respond. Like airline pilots and ship captains, with the safety and security of their passengers at stake, all decision-makers need to be forewarned about the “weather conditions” that lie ahead […]

7 Dec, 2015

US$250m ADB Loan to Improve Management of Pakistan’s Land Border Points

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 07 December 2015 (25 Safar 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS 2015 […]

7 Dec, 2015

UN General Assembly Resolutions Urge Concerted Global Efforts to Advance Culture of Peace, Non-Violence

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United Nations, UN media release, Dec 3, 2015 – Confronting an increasingly polarized world where religious intolerance, discrimination, xenophobia, conflict and the emergence of new extremist ideologies abounded, the General Assembly today adopted, without a vote, two resolutions that stressed the advancement of a culture of peace and non-violence based on education, tolerance, dialogue and […]

7 Dec, 2015

In global first, Newswire Editor unveils simplified format of UN Sustainable Development Goals

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In a global first, Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil has crafted a  simplified version of the 17-point Sustainable Development Goals to make it easier for the SDGs to be implemented by the rapidly-growing travel & tourism industry. Two presentations given in Bangkok and Vientiane respectively on Dec 2 and 4 to explain the […]

2 Dec, 2015

FREE Download: Presentations from UNWTO Seminar on Islamic Culture and its Impact on Asian Tourism

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Brunei Darussalam (UNWTO media release) – The 1st Regional Seminar on the Contribution of Islamic Culture and its Impact on the Asian Tourism Market was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 16 – 17 November 2015. The seminar was organized jointly by UNWTO and Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism of Brunei Darussalam. The […]

2 Dec, 2015

Chinese ‘maternity tourism’ to US sees change

By Lia Zhu

San Francisco (China Daily USA), 2015-12-01 – A Los Angeles-based “birthing center” has seen less demand from couples since China changed its one-child policy but more demand from wealthy clients for high-end service. To evade the fine for violating China’s since-changed one-child policy (about 100,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan or $15,632 to $31,264), having their […]

1 Dec, 2015

S. African journalist exposes more lies by Blair and Bush over attack on Iraq

Tony Blair went to war in Iraq despite a report by South African experts with unique knowledge of the country that showed it did not possess weapons of mass destruction, according to a book published on Sunday. God, Spies and Lies, by South African journalist John Matisonn, describes how then president Thabo Mbeki tried in […]

1 Dec, 2015

India Needs to Beef Up its Tolerance Levels

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By Punam Mohandas It seems I’m picking up right where I left off; I thought the Aamir Khan outrageously intolerant statement would have been debated to death by now but no, apparently we’re still picking the carcass clean! And so, much like the movie Don, here is the sequel to my previous article too. Gyaarah […]