Archive for January, 2016
31 Jan, 2016
Thai Prime Minister warns of water shortage: “Please help restore balance in Nature”
The weekly National Broadcast by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on January 22, 2016 was devoted almost entirely to the looming national water shortage. He confined himself to highlighting the impact on agriculture but warned that everyone will have to get involved in water conservation. That includes the nearly 32 million visitors projected to […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
Inside the booming Muslim fashion industry – Al Jazeera English
Anas Silwood moved to Jordan from Britain to study Arabic back in 2000. The 20-something was supposed to stay for only a few months, but he soon decided Amman was the place he wanted to be. He learned Arabic, converted to Islam and settled. “Every time I went back to the UK I had the […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
Davos is the problem, not the solution — RT Op-Edge
For the majority of people of the planet, but not for the super, super rich, things have gone backwards since the first Davos meeting was held. That’s no coincidence as Davos – for all the ’progressive’ waffle about ‘stakeholder theory’ and the ’global public interest’ – is all about maintaining an elite-friendly, neoliberal economic order […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
Meet the whistleblower who helped expose Google’s tax avoidance – The Independent
Like millions of others this weekend, Barney Jones is filling in his tax returns. The forms detailing earnings and expenditure are not for the faint-hearted, and completing them seldom gives satisfaction – even when you’ve just played a key role in adding an extra £130m to Britain’s coffers. The whistleblower who helped to reveal how […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
Israel Demolishes Palestinian Home, Foundations of Another in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, January 27, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Wednesday demolished a home and the foundations of another in Jerusalem, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said an Israeli police contingent, accompanied by bulldozers, broke into Shuafaat, a neighborhood of Jerusalem, and demolished the house of Kefaya Resheq, a local Palestinian, under the pretext of construction […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
UN experts urge US to address its own ‘crisis of racial injustice’
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 29 January 2016 – The legacy of slavery, post-Reconstruction ‘Jim Crow’ laws and racial subordination in the United States remains a “serious challenge” as there has been no real commitment to recognition and reparations for people of African descent, a United Nations expert panel said today in Washington D.C., at […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
How Investments, Technology are Accelerating China’s Travel Boom
BEIJING, Jan 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — High-speed trains with comfort, Starbucks coffee on board, free WIFI in stations, and phone apps for ticket purchase. As the annual Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) travel rush kicked off throughout the country on Sunday, hundreds of millions of Chinese found that their journeys for holiday homecomings have become […]
more…31 Jan, 2016
The “war on terror” has only created more terror, while costing each U.S. household $75,000: Jill Stein ~ News Forage
The “war on terror,” Stein pointed out, has only created more terror, while costing each U.S. household $75,000. “That’s not going to make people terribly enthusiastic for it, particularly when you point out that all this has done is create failed states, worse terrorist threat, whether you look at the Taliban, the globalization of al-Qaeda, […]
more…30 Jan, 2016
Growing Number of Working Americans Turn to Unions to Brave the New Economy
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — From writers at online news site Gawker in Manhattan, to Uber drivers in Seattle, to Volkswagen workers in Tennessee, workers across the country stood up for their right to have a voice at work, explains the American Federation of Government Employees. According to a new report from the AFL-CIO, Fighting […]
more…30 Jan, 2016
U.S. Paralyzed Veterans Launch Website Documenting Air Travel Experiences of People with Disabilities
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 28, 2016 — In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) has launched a new website where individuals with disabilities can share their air travel experiences, both positive and negative. The new website can be found at www.airaccess30.org and is endorsed by Paralyzed […]
more…28 Jan, 2016
China warns Jewish speculator: Think twice before declaring war on the yuan
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), January 27, 2016 – The billionaire investor George Soros has grasped the headlight of the Davos World Economic Forum for the last two years. Last year, he announced that he had “finally” retired from managing money to devote himself to political philanthropy. This year, at the same stage, he declared “war” […]
more…28 Jan, 2016
Thailand hotels best Asia-Pacific performers in 2015: STR report
LONDON, 28 January 2016, STR Global media release —Hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported mostly flat year-end 2015 results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollar constant currency, according to data from STR Global. Compared with 2014, the Asia Pacific region reported a 0.1% increase in occupancy to 68.2%. Average […]
more…28 Jan, 2016
U.S. News & World Report Releases the Best High-Pay, Low-Stress Jobs for 2016
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As the U.S. job market improves, U.S. News & World Report today released the 2016 Best Jobs rankings to help job seekers at every level take advantage of new opportunities and make smarter career decisions. Health care related jobs dominate the list of the 100 Best Jobs due to […]
more…28 Jan, 2016
UN chief blasts 50 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 27 January 2016 – Amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated today that he can understand why Palestinians are losing hope in the face of nearly 50 years of Israeli occupation, a statement that has provoked criticism that he was “giving terror a tailwind.” […]
more…28 Jan, 2016
ASEAN branding disarray on full display at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016
Manila — The first ASEAN Tourism Forum in the era of ASEAN integration, held in Manila between 17-22 January 2016, was a clear opportunity to send a powerful, unified message positioning ASEAN as a single destination. Although that has been the policy objective since Visit ASEAN Year was declared in 1992 to mark the 25th […]
more…27 Jan, 2016
Protesting Sikh removed from Trump’s rally – Times of India
WASHINGTON: A turbaned Sikh man was forced out of Donald Trump’s rally in the US state of Iowa after he interrupted the Republican presidential frontrunner’s speech by displaying a banner that read ‘Stop Hate’. The man, wearing a bright red turban, started his peaceful protest impromptu, when Trump was addressing an impressive campaign rally on […]
more…26 Jan, 2016
Xinhua Commentary: Time for West to abandon double standards, hypocrisy & prejudice in fighting terrorism
BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) — In an era when terrorism is posing a serious challenge to world peace and development, it is time for the West to abandon its pride and prejudice to further consolidate global efforts to uproot the menace. From the Charlie Hebdo attack to the Paris terror attacks, the past year witnessed […]
more…26 Jan, 2016
Women must be put at the core of global peace-building efforts: UN study
Bangkok, Thailand (25 January 2016) – Women’s participation and leadership must be at the core of peace and security efforts, a new study from UN Women finds. Revealing groundbreaking new findings, UN Women and the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (DWAFD), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, of the Government of Thailand […]
more…26 Jan, 2016
ASEANTA’s female President tells tourism ministers: Replace “war on terrorism” with “Peace Through Tourism”
Manila — ASEAN’s tourism industry needs to become a conduit for conflict prevention and replace antagonistic terminology such as “war on terrorism” with a more pacifist slogan, “Peace Through Tourism,” according to the President of the 10-country grouping’s umbrella travel federation. In a statement at the ASEAN Tourism Forum, held in Manila between Jan 18-22, […]
more…25 Jan, 2016
Memorial planned for forgotten Muslim World War 1 soldiers
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 25 January 2016 (14 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA HERBAL ASIA TO BE HELD IN KUALA […]
more…25 Jan, 2016
Stan Grant’s speech on racism and the Australian dream goes viral – The Guardian
The veteran journalist and Wiradjuri man, Stan Grant, has told a Sydney audience that racism is “at the heart of the Australian dream,” as he delivered a sobering speech about the impact of colonisation and discrimination on Indigenous people and their ancestors. It has provoked a powerful reaction from Australians, going viral on Facebook with […]
more…23 Jan, 2016
Dr Bert van Walbeek, Founder & Chairman of first Asian, Thailand Chapter, SITE
Date & Place of Birth: 23 March 1943, Alkmaar, Netherlands Marital Status: Married with three children (from 2 marriages) and six grand children Education: Hogere Hotelschool-The Hague 1961-1964 Career 1968-1985 Employment with Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels and ITT Sheraton 1985-1988 Area Marketing Director , Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok 1988-1991 VP Marketing, Middle East and North […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
Nielsen to Launch “Social Content Ratings” with Measurement Across Twitter and Facebook
NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Nielsen today announced that it is expanding Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings to include Facebook conversation for the first time. With measurement of program-related conversation across these two social networking services at launch, and plans to integrate Instagram at a later date, Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings will become Nielsen’s “Social […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
Foreign policy that blindly follows the US isn’t in our national interest – Sydney Morning Herald
When Prime Minister Turnbull visits the Oval Office this week, he faces clear choices about the kind of foreign policy leadership he offers Australia. In an ideal world, our Prime Minister would be confident and forthright about Australian values and interests, supportive of the American approach where this aligns with our own, and critical where […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
2015 City Brands Index released: Paris, London, NYC take top spots
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 20, 2016 – New York City and Los Angeles have claimed third and fifth place, in the 2015 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands IndexSM report, with NYC and LA improving on their 2013 rankings and DC slipping four places despite improving its score. Paris edged past London, 2013’s best city, for the top […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
Shangri-La hotel’s HRD director flags downsides of tourism labour mobility under ASEAN integration
MANILA – The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement, designed to liberalise movements of tourism professionals within the 10-member regional bloc, could cause potentially serious side-effects in the travel & tourism sector, the Human Resources Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in the Philippines has warned. Speaking at the ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), one of the core […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
Shaikha Moza: Technology is killing Arabic language | GulfNews.com
Manama: Shaikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has lamented the inability of the Arabs to preserve their language by misusing modern communication technology. “Our failure to effectively use modern communication techniques has led to an inability to preserve the Arabic language,” Shaikha Moza said during her […]
more…21 Jan, 2016
Need tolerance in India very badly, says Nobel laureate Amartya Sen – Hindustan Times
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Wednesday asserted India needs tolerance “very badly” but also underscored the importance of skeptical tolerance. Sen, an alumni of erstwhile Presidency College which has now developed into the Presidency University, discussed the influence and contributions of early 19th century poet Henry Louis Vivian Derozio in education and society. “The general […]
more…20 Jan, 2016
Jewish Voice for Peace: Airbnb is profiting from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine
Full text of message from Visit StolenHomes.org, and tell Airbnb to stop listing stolen homes. Dear Friend, Imagine a gorgeous home for your next getaway: a well-stocked kitchen, pool out the patio doors, nice linens, flowers on the bedside table. Sounds great, right? Here’s the problem: That house: stolen. That land: stolen. The roads on […]
more…20 Jan, 2016
Hosted media at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016 hit by attendance requirement at NTO briefings
Manila – Hosted travel journalists attending the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016 are being required to provide proof of attendance at least seven out of 13 media briefings in order to be eligible for reimbursement of their air-fare. Instituted for the first time at an ATF, the requirement has caught several regular media participants by surprise […]
more…20 Jan, 2016
Rising Geopolitical Threats Affecting CEOs’ Global Growth Confidence – PWC Survey released at World Economic Forum
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 20 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Two-thirds of CEOs (66%) see more threats facing their businesses today than three years ago. Just over a quarter (27%) believe global growth will improve over the next 12 months, a decline of 10 points on last year. Infographics accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29e79b45-a0d1-4646-844f-4e6e549f96cb http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e5e1e9a-0e0d-4bdc-85c8-abe0e96d5596 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0217f4b5-733a-4297-8b28-476c398afabc http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48f24355-97fa-4d6d-93cb-70efb94dd0c2 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aaa42e76-cb4f-415d-bfb3-40d1968cfef0 […]
more…19 Jan, 2016
ASEAN branding confusion at ASEAN’s premier travel trade show
Manila — The marketing of ASEAN as a single tourism destination has been under way for 24 years, with the original designation of 1992 as Visit ASEAN Year, to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the regional grouping. In spite of that long-standing effort, the ASEAN tourism sector still cannot find common ground […]
more…18 Jan, 2016
Foreign tourism emerges as bright spot amid Japan’s dim economic prospects | The Japan Times
With few positive signs of recovery for Japan’s slumping economy, foreign tourism remains a sole ray of hope, and tourism authorities, local governments, industry players as well as retailers are eagerly awaiting another possibly record-breaking surge in Chinese tourists during next month’s Chinese New Year holiday. Though economists say a tourism boom alone won’t bail […]
more…18 Jan, 2016
Malindo Air To Launch first Kuala Lumpur – Lahore flight
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 18 January 2016 (08 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA HERBAL ASIA TO BE HELD IN KUALA […]
more…18 Jan, 2016
Australia Calls for Applications to Support Artists with Disability 2016
Canberra, 15 January 2016- The Australia Council for the Arts is again providing dedicated funding for artists with disability and is calling for applications before the 2 February closing date. Australia Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski said this was the second year dedicated funding had been offered as part of a three-year initiative announced […]
more…16 Jan, 2016
Mossad proxy faked violent Facebook anti-Semitism | The Electronic Intifada
An Israeli legal group with intimate ties to the state’s intelligence agencies has admitted to faking an ostensibly pro-Palestinian Facebook page and using it to post anti-Semitic statements including “Death to all the Jews.” The Israeli group has also filed a lawsuit against Facebook, for allegedly permitting Palestinian “incitement.” Shurat HaDin claims to be a […]
more…16 Jan, 2016
Report: Top 1% holds one-third of China’s wealth
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), 14 Jan 2016 – A recent report showed that income and wealth inequality is worsening in China. The top 1 percent of households own around one-third of China’s wealth, while the bottom 25 percent of them have only 1 percent. The report, released by a research institute at Peking University, shows […]
more…15 Jan, 2016
Alan Rickman’s pro-Palestinian Gaza play was also censored by theater | The Electronic Intifada
In 2005, Rickman directed the initial London run of My Name is Rachel Corrie, a play based on the writing of the US activist crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza two years prior. Rickman had been moved to produce the work, staged at London’s Royal Court Theatre, after reading Corrie’s published emails […]
more…15 Jan, 2016
Buddhism, Islam have many shared values & tenets, says head of Muslim research and history unit
The following is the full text of an address by Dr Halit Eren, Director-General, OIC Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) at the Symposium on “Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Multicultural Societies” 11-12 January 2016, Bangkok, Thailand I am pleased to greet you on behalf of the OIC Research Centre for […]
more…14 Jan, 2016
Princess Cruises Sleep Study Reveals Americans Prefer Getting More Sleep than Getting Fit
Santa Clarita, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Americans are tired of feeling tired and willing to sacrifice almost anything for more sleep in the new year, according to a new sleep-inspired survey commissioned by Princess Cruises. The Princess Cruises Sleep Survey results suggest that 2016 may be the year Americans wake up and acknowledge […]
more…14 Jan, 2016
South Korea, Thailand overtake Hong Kong as most popular 2015 destinations for Chinese
Nuremberg, Germany, January 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — GfK’s latest analyses of the Chinese market show that China produced 109 million outbound tourists in 2015 – with retail spend of US$229 billion. This is a key milestone in China’s outbound tourism history. These statistics consolidate China’s position as one of the top global sources of tourists, […]
more…14 Jan, 2016
Buddhist, Muslim leaders pinpoint root causes & solutions of inter-faith conflict
Bangkok – A central question that dominated the symposium on “Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence in Multicultural Societies” was how and why an increasingly globalised, inter-connected world is failing to live up to one of its primary projected objectives: More peaceful, harmonious, sustainable, inclusive societies and communities. All world religions, global institutions, governments, societies and […]
more…14 Jan, 2016
Prominent Thai Journalist says ASEAN media must “take control of the narrative” from Western wire-services
Bangkok — Journalists in Thailand and ASEAN must take control of the narrative from Western media wire-services in order to build a better understanding of global events, especially those involving religious and ethnic conflicts, according to one of Thailand’s most prominent writers on foreign affairs. Speaking at a symposium on “Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai named citizen and Ambassador of Bethlehem
London, 13 Jan 2016, (OpenBethlehem.org media release) – Malala Yousafszi, the youngest ever Nobel Prize Laureate, and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai, the United Nations Special Advisor on Global Education, are our newest citizens and ambassadors of Bethlehem! “I feel very happy that I got the opportunity to see Open Bethlehem and also met the producer and director […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
JobStreet.com unveils “Company Reviews”, allowing employees to comment on their workplace
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) — JobStreet.com, one of Asia’s leading online employment marketplaces launched its newest product, ‘Company Reviews’, at the 18th JobStreet.com Malaysia Career and Training Fair 2016 (MCTF’16). The renowned career fair is jointly organized with long-standing partner, AIC Exhibitions Sdn Bhd and includes over 120 of Malaysia’s top employers. Company Reviews […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Recognition More Important Than Pay – Chartered Accountants Association Survey
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) — A new report, Culture and channelling corporate behaviour: ACCA member survey, published by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has found that recognition at work is the highest motivator, regardless of age, industry or location – even outstripping monetary reward. The survey harnessed the views of almost 2,000 […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Wanda acquires U.S. entertainment giant Legendary for $3.5b in biggest Chinese overseas deal
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2016-01-12 – Dalian Wanda Group Co Ltd (Wanda Group) today announced that it has acquired US Legendary Entertainment for no more than $3.5 billion in cash, marking China’s largest cross-border cultural acquisition to date.Thomas Tull will remain as Chairman and CEO of Legendary and will continue to be responsible for its day-to-day operations. […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Over 1 mln Chinese tourists arrive in Australia in 2015, setting new record
CANBERRA, Jan. 12, (Xinhua) — Australia’s tourism boom continued in 2015 on the back of a surge in Chinese visitors, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Tuesday. The ABS said more than one million Chinese tourists arrived in Australia during the year, setting a new record. China continues to […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Hilton Launches News Parental Leave Policies to Enhance Work-Life Balance
MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 12, 2016 – Hilton Worldwide’s (NYSE: HLT) industry-leading parental leave policies took effect on January 1, 2016, and now cover both hourly and salaried Team Members at Hilton’s owned and managed properties, as well as the company’s corporate offices. The new policies represent the best parental leave benefits offered by any major […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Airbnb lists homes in illegal Israeli settlements – Al Jazeera English
Jerusalem – Dozens of listings on the online accommodation service Airbnb show immaculate cottages, elaborate breakfasts and rolling hillside views “in Israel” – but what is not stated is that the properties are located in Jewish settlements and outposts on occupied Palestinian territory. One shows a tidy, three-bedroom rental home with an idyllic courtyard framed […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
Jewish-Israeli band making waves with Arabic song – Al Jazeera English
A girl band in Israel has been making waves after its debut single became the first song entirely in Arabic to top the charts in Israel. “Habib Galbi” by the band A-WA – made up of three sisters – gives traditional rhythms and lyrics from Yemen a hip-hop treatment. It’s a song that has been […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
An Open Letter to President Obama from the “Israeli General’s Son” – Desertpeace
By Miko Peled When America voted for you the first time, many people were very optimistic. A man with an African Muslim father, an African Muslim name and what seemed like a caring heart and a brilliant mind. That was both refreshing and promising. You came into office with big promises, your first inaugural address […]
more…13 Jan, 2016
50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities in the U.S.
DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Leading Christian higher education resource, Christian Universities Online (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/), has published a ranking of the 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities in the United States for 2016: http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/most-beautiful-christian-colleges-2016/ Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA claimed the top spot on the list. Grove City College in Grove City, […]
more…12 Jan, 2016
Hundreds of French mosques open their doors to the public
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 11 January 2016 (01 Rabee’ al-Akhir 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA’S SHOPPING LANDSCAPE WITH MAIN AND NEW […]
more…11 Jan, 2016
Israel Committed 1,336 Violations against Muslim-Christian Holy Sites in 2015
RAMALLAH, January 10, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities and settlers committed over 1336 violations against Muslim and Christian holy sites in the occupied Palestinian Territory during the year 2015, Minister of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, Yousef Ide’es, said on Sunday. He said these violations included attacks on shrines, holy sites, worship places and Islamic cemeteries. […]
more…11 Jan, 2016
Saudi-Iran row to impact Mideast economy | GulfNews.com
Dubai: The Saudi-Iranian tensions could impact not just the economy of Iran, but also that of the wider Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, analysts have said. It could also affect investors’ appetite for risk, “spell increased volatility” in the financial markets and create pressure on oil prices. “[The] impact of the conflict on key […]
more…11 Jan, 2016
16 students deported from US, ‘hassled’ at Hyderabad airport – Hindustan Times
The ordeal of 16 students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who had gone to the US seeking admission in educational institutions there but were sent back from New York, continued despite landing back home as they alleged that they had been kept waiting for around six hours at the international airport in Hyderabad over some […]
more…11 Jan, 2016
MasterCard and Coin Sign Agreement to Power Wearable Payments
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– January 06, 2016 – MasterCard today announced a partnership with Coin to bring MasterCard payments to a wide array of fitness bands, smart watches and other wearable devices. This collaboration builds upon the MasterCard announcement in October introducing the Commerce for Every Device program to enable any consumer gadget, accessory or wearable […]
more…11 Jan, 2016
Clean Toilets top list of 2015 tourism developments in China
Beijing, (China Daily): 2016-01-06 — The China National Tourism Administration recently released the country’s Top 10 Tourism News of last year. The industry played a positive role in driving investment, consumption and export, as well as economic development in 2015. And the top 10 covers major events and reflects the ongoing reform and upgrading of […]
more…10 Jan, 2016
Indian visitor arrivals +4.4% in 2015, but US$ tourism earnings -2.8%
New Delhi, 08-January-2016, Ministry of Tourism media release – Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on the basis of Nationality-wise, Port-wise data received from Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism on the basis of data available from Reserve Bank of India. Following are the important […]
more…10 Jan, 2016
UK to launch 2-year visitor visas for Chinese nationals on Jan. 11
LONDON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) — Britain’s new two-year visitor visas for Chinese nationals is to be launched on Monday, Jan. 11, the British Home Office announced Wednesday. The new visa will cost 85 pounds (125 U.S. dollars), the same as the existing six-month visitor visa, and will enable successful applicants to make multiple trips to […]
more…7 Jan, 2016
Why aren’t we calling the Oregon occupiers ‘terrorists’?
As of Sunday afternoon, The Washington Post called them “occupiers.” The New York Times opted for “armed activists” and “militia men.” And the Associated Press put the situation this way: “A family previously involved in a showdown with the federal government has occupied a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon and is asking […]
more…6 Jan, 2016
FREE DOWNLOAD: OAG report on world’s most punctual airlines and airports, 2015
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–OAG, the global leader in air travel intelligence, has released the results of the OAG Punctuality League 2015, the industry’s most comprehensive annual ranking of on-time performance (OTP) for the world’s airlines and airports. For the first time, this year’s league table incorporates enhanced depth and coverage from the newly consolidated flight status and […]
more…6 Jan, 2016
Hilton Mobilises Hotels to Find Solutions to Global Issues
January 06, 2016, MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Four years after launching its corporate responsibility strategy, Travel with Purpose, Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) says its investments in global partnerships and programs to activate hotel and office teams is not only driving positive social impact, but also supporting long-term business success. “Travel with Purpose has played an important role […]
more…5 Jan, 2016
Thailand’s Buri Ram Province to use King’s Sufficiency Economy as Future Development Model
Bangkok, 4 January 2016, Thai government Public Relations Department – Buri Ram province, in lower northeastern Thailand, aims to develop itself as one of the most livable cities in the world, based on the concept of “Sufficiency Economy.” Buri Ram Governor Seri Srihatrai said that the issue was discussed at a workshop of local administrators […]
more…5 Jan, 2016
Call for Entries: 2016 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
Bangkok – Submissions are now being accepted for the 2016 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Awards recognize the efforts of private individuals and organizations that have successfully restored or conserved structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. The Awards emphasize the importance of the conservation process, including the technical […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Indonesian human rights expert resigns U.N. role after Israel blocks him from occupied Palestine
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 4 January 2016 – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian territories is resigning due to Israel’s failure to grant him access to the areas he is tasked with monitoring. “Unfortunately, my efforts to help improve the lives of Palestinian victims of […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Report released: International Tourism in Islamic Countries 2015
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 04 January 2016 (24 Rabee’ al-Awwal 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA WINS ‘BEST ECO-VACATION’ AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Australia mandates full recovery of student loans from overseas residents
Canberra, 1 January 2016, Australian government Media Release – From today, people who have benefited from Australian student loans and now live overseas will pay for them the same way as they would if they lived in Australia. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said it was estimated that up to $30 million […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Australia sets stronger protections for vocational education and training students
Canberra, 1 January 2016, Australian government Media Release – Tough new rules to protect vocational education and training students from unscrupulous training providers commence today. Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Luke Hartsuyker, said the new rules will help stamp out the predatory behaviours that have seen some training providers deliberately target vulnerable people in […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Banks exploit your personal data to stave off competitors – Sydney Morning Herald
Thanks to advances in computing power and customers’ embrace of digital finance, banks know more than ever about what their customers are up to: whether it’s browsing the web, shopping online, visiting the mall, or interacting on social media. Already, they are busily harnessing this vast amount of data to sell products to customers before […]
more…4 Jan, 2016
Jewish Extremist Group Calls for Torching Jerusalem Churches
JERUSALEM, January 3, 2016 (WAFA) – The leader of the extremist anti-assimilation group Lehava recently renewed his calls to torch churches in occupied Jerusalem, Israeli media sources revealed. Lehava’s leader, Bentzi Gopstein, told the Israeli TV Channel II that Israeli Jews practically prevent Christians from entering Jerusalem, saying that Christian presence in Jerusalem was not […]
more…2 Jan, 2016
US Sued over Billions of Tax-Exempt Donations for Illegal Israeli Settlements
RAMALLAH, December 31, 2015 (WAFA) – A lawsuit has been filed in a US court seeking to stop US-based non-profit entities from sending billions of dollars of tax-exempt donations for illegal Israeli settlements and Israeli military. The lawsuit was filed by Martin McMahon and Associates on behalf of Arab—American plaintiffs, including Palestinian American writer Susan […]
more…2 Jan, 2016
2015: The year India discovered intolerance – Amrith Lal, The Indian Express
Early January, Tamil writer Perumal Murugan put up on his Facebook wall the first notice of a growing trend in India society. Pummelled to submission by caste groups who took exception to his treatment of social relations in his novel, Mathorubagan (One-part Woman), Murugan announced the death of his authorial self. “Author Perumal Murugan is […]
more…2 Jan, 2016
Business Travel Survey: 15% Admit Having an Affair on the Road & Padding Expense Reports
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 30, 2015 – As airlines continue to struggle with effective ways to remain profitable, their biggest challenge remains how to maintain customer satisfaction from millions of passengers, including the business traveler who is the backbone of the airline industry. In a recent survey conducted among 1,500 business travelers, ExpertFlyer.com and View from […]
more…1 Jan, 2016
Countering myths and misconceptions about the Halal industry in Australia
[The text of the speech delivered by Syed Atiq ul Hassan as a Guest Speaker in the Thailand Halal Assembly 2015, held in Bangkok from 25 to 27 December 2015. The Title of the speech was the Role and Responsibility of Journalist/Media for Halal Industry] In this politicised world where within or outside the Muslim […]
more…1 Jan, 2016
International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017: Full text of UN General Assembly resolution
The following is the full text of the Resolution declaring 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, as adopted by the UN General Assembly on 22 December 2015: The General Assembly,Reaffirming its resolutions 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of international years, Economic and […]
more…1 Jan, 2016
Formal Establishment of ASEAN Community Sees Both Opportunities, Challenges
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Dec 31 (NNN-Bernama) — As another significant milestone in its history and the regional integration process, Dec 31 finally witnesses the formal establishment of the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Community. Despite the euphoria and excitement, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a statement on this special day that […]
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