29 Jun, 2016

UN Chief: Closure of Gaza Suffocates Its People, Stifles Economy, Impedes Reconstruction

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GAZA, June 28, 2016 (WAFA) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday arrived at Gaza city through Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing, starting his trip to the besieged coastal enclave by delivering a speech to UN staff, said UN Secretary General’s Spokesperson. Ban visited the UNRWA-run al-Zaytoun girls primary school where he addressed staff and students, […]

29 Jun, 2016

The biggest global mistake exposed by the Brexit vote is….

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The biggest global mistake exposed by the Brexit vote is the fallacious assumption that the rich, famous and powerful know it all. They don’t. Since time immemorial, the content of travel industry conferences and events has remained chock-full of the inevitable top-down approach which assumes that if you are rich, powerful, famous or […]

28 Jun, 2016

Brexit: BBC journalist called a ‘p**i’ as Muslim Council warns of rising Islamophobia – The Independent

A BBC journalist has been called a racially abusive term she had “not heard since the 80s” as reseachers warned the EU campaigns have “stoked” Islamophobia in Britain. Sima Kotecha, who is a reporter for Radio Four, expressed her shock after being called a “p**i” in her home town of Basingstoke in the immediate aftermath […]

28 Jun, 2016

This country is no longer safe for immigrants – The Independent

Much of liberal Britain woke up this morning (or went to bed) believing they’d encountered a different side to the country. That 17 million odd people voted to leave the EU was an indication of racism and xenophobia, it was immediately decided that this was anti-migrant vote. The shock and surprise was palpable. There’s a […]

28 Jun, 2016

Israel accused of ‘cruel and inhuman’ border crossing conditions for Palestinians by NGO – The Independent

A human rights NGO has accused Israel of forcing Palestinians to withstand “cruel and inhuman” conditions at its borders. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, also known as B’Tselem, said even those with legitimate work permits were being made to wait for hours in extremely hot weather. B’Tselem posted an […]

28 Jun, 2016

Across the world minds are narrowing. We must fight back – The Guardian

This may seem like an unrelated pair. One was a British MP, one a Pakistani singer. But within one week, the two were killed by their countrymen. They were humanists. They faced outwards, at a moment when fascists are trying to shove us into cages of religion or race. They stood up for universal values, […]

28 Jun, 2016

Brexit – A Victim of the Law of Unintended Consequences

By Yasmin Ahammad

The sense of loss is great. The loss of a country I thought I knew, the loss of a continental union, the potential loss of the United Kingdom as it currently exists. Almost six years living and working abroad in South-East Asia has done nothing to lessen the heartbreak of watching my country unravel. Last […]

28 Jun, 2016

‘My family doesn’t feel safe here any more’: Eastern Europeans on Brexit – The Guardian

I feel scared after the referendum. In my workplace I have heard people saying things, such as: “Pack your bags and get the fuck out.” Followed by, “If you want I can give you a suitcase.” This referendum has not led to communities coming together in any way – the opposite has happened. Now I […]

27 Jun, 2016

Israel, a “democracy,” proposes legislation to gag civil society groups

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 24 June 2016 – Three United Nations human rights experts today urged Israeli lawmakers not to approve the bill that would, in effect, target non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are critical of Government policy. The experts expressed grave concern that the legislation would chill the speech of human rights NGOs by […]

27 Jun, 2016

Bahrain holds Ramadan speakers forum to advance Muhammad Ali’s legacy

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 June 2016 (22 Ramadan 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA LAUNCH OF 1MALAYSIA MEGA SALE CARNIVAL 2016 & […]

27 Jun, 2016

First Int’l Conference on Domestic Violence and Batterer Intervention to be held July 10

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Portsmouth NH (PRWEB), June 25, 2016 – The first Association of Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (ADVIP) international conference will be held July 10, 2016 at the Portsmouth Sheraton Hotel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in conjunction with the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Conference. In the aftermath of several highly-publicized incidents involving musicians and sports celebrities, […]

27 Jun, 2016

Alcoholism and drug abuse have caused havoc in India and worldwide, says President

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New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 26-June-2016 – The President of India, Prof Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse today (June 26, 2016) in New Delhi on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and […]

27 Jun, 2016

AHF: New Meningitis Outbreak Hits Gay Men in Los Angeles & OC

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LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 24, 2016 – Three years after a deadly strain of bacterial meningitis killed two Los Angeles gay men and a San Diego student, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials today issued a Department of Public Health (DPH) ‘Health Alert’ warning that a new outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease is once […]

27 Jun, 2016

How to make post-Brexit U.K. more attractive to visitors from “developing countries”

Imtiaz Muqbil

The British tourism industry has been quick to identify the silver linings amidst the dark clouds of the Brexit-vote crisis. The UK is being marketed as great value for money due to the plummeting pound. The message is clear: The time is right to visit Britain. I stopped going to the UK five years ago. […]

24 Jun, 2016

US Federal Aviation Administration Recognizes Local Authority in New Drone Regulations

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WASHINGTON, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a win for local governments and local decision-making authority, new rules issued this week by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on unmanned aviation systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, recognize that city leaders should play a role in regulating how, when and where drones operate in their communities. The […]

24 Jun, 2016

110 Factors That Shaped Thai Tourism

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Bangkok – The record-breaking Thai travel & tourism industry is now recognised as the country’s leading economic sector, with enormous growth potential in the years ahead. This achievement did not happen by chance. It is the result of Policies, Products, Promotions and most important, the hard work of great People, especially women,  who shaped and […]

24 Jun, 2016

London Offers Greatest Opportunities for UK Women in Tech, New Study Reveals

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LONDON, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ –London’s tech community offers the greatest opportunities for British women in tech with 40 per cent of the entire country’s female tech workforce employed in the capital, according to research released during London Technology Week, and coinciding with Computer Weekly’s top 50 UK Women in Technology awards. The survey of […]

24 Jun, 2016

Terrorism fears boosting U.S. travel insurance business – Squaremouth report

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The threat of terrorism is not preventing Americans from traveling, but it is prompting travelers to take more precautions. Leading travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth reveals notable trends in travel insurance sales that indicate how travelers respond after a terrorist attack. Is Terrorism Affecting How Americans Travel? More […]

23 Jun, 2016

European economy slowly recovering but legacies of crisis remain and new challenges are emerging – OECD Report

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Paris, 10 June 2016, OECD Newsroom – The European economy is gradually recovering but further policy action will be required to address unresolved legacies of the global economic crisis that are weighing on growth and major new concerns that have emerged, according to two new OECD reports. The latest OECD Economic Surveys of the European Union […]

23 Jun, 2016

Samoa: World Bank aviation project expanded

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WASHINGTON, D.C., 6 June 2016, The World Bank News – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$16.62 million credit to the Independent State of Samoa to expand the scope of work under the Samoa Aviation Investment Project, further advancing the objective of improved safety and security of international air transport and […]

23 Jun, 2016

Europe is underachieving in the global competition for talent – OECD Report

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Paris, 7 June 2016, OECD Newsroom –  The European Union should reform its legal labour migration policies to get its fair share of the global talent pool, according to a new report published by the OECD. Europe is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and this requires a coordinated, bold and comprehensive response by Member States. […]

23 Jun, 2016

The Beauty of an Alternative Perspective: Einstein on Israel and Zionism

Imtiaz Muqbil

Editor’s Note: The article below was one of the Soul-Searching columns I wrote for the Bangkok Post, published Aug 21, 2011. These columns were gagged by “the newspaper you can trust” in July 2012. I am reproducing it below to help promote an alternative perspective in the travel & tourism industry, which is one of […]

22 Jun, 2016

HealthSparq’s First Health Care Shopping Trends Report Explores the People Behind the Data

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PORTLAND, Ore., 21 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–HealthSparq, a company dedicated to empowering people to comparison shop for their health care, today released a first-of-its-kind 2015 Health Care Shopping Trends Report that explores what matters most to health care shoppers. The report used data from 237,000 people who pulled 523,000 cost estimates using HealthSparq’s cost estimator tools in […]

22 Jun, 2016

Samsung Unveils Plan to spend $1.2 Billion on Research and Development of Internet of Things

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WASHINGTON, 21 June 2016, Business Wire – Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman & CEO Dr. Oh-Hyun Kwon unveiled today Samsung’s vision for ‘Human-Centered IoT,’ including a strategy to spend $1.2 billion over 4 years for U.S.-based Internet of Things (IoT) R&D and investments. This will be led by the Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center, Global Innovation Center […]

22 Jun, 2016

‘Unprecedented’ 65 million people displaced by war, persecution in 2015 – UN

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United Nations, 20 June 2016, UN News Centre – The number of people displaced from their homes due to conflict and persecution last year exceeded 60 million for the first time in United Nations history, a tally greater than the population of the United Kingdom, or of Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined, says a […]

22 Jun, 2016

Myanmar must address ‘serious’ human rights violations against minorities – UN rights chief

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United Nations, 20 June 2016, UN News Centre – Issuing a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has urged the Government to take concrete steps to end the “systemic discrimination” and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya […]

22 Jun, 2016

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them

Imtiaz Muqbil

On 13 May 2016, I published a post about Noam Chomsky, Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), describing him as the man who will NEVER be invited to speak at a travel industry convention. Today, this post is about a book that will NEVER be mentioned at a travel industry convention. It […]

22 Jun, 2016

A dangerous game in Kairana – The Hindu

It is now beyond a shadow of doubt that BJP MP Hukum Singh’s infamous list, made up of members of Hindu families that had allegedly fled his Lok Sabha constituency Kairana in western Uttar Pradesh and in neighbouring Kandhla in Shamli district, was a piece of fiction. Many of those who figured in the list […]

21 Jun, 2016

ASEAN Character Award 2016 opens for applications

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TOKYO, 20 June 2016, (ASEAN secretariat media release) – The ASEAN-Japan Centre has opened the call for applications for the ASEAN Character Award 2016. Content-related companies from ASEAN Member States are encouraged to apply before 22 July 2016. The ASEAN Character Award was established by the ASEAN-Japan Centre and LLP ASEAN Creative Supporters in 2014 […]

21 Jun, 2016

China puts squeeze on imported TV shows and remakes

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Beijing, (China Daily), June 20, 2016 – China’s media regulator has issued a directive limiting imported TV shows and remakes, aiming to promote domestic originality. Insiders have called for more training of producers. With authorized remakes of foreign TV reality shows gaining popularity in China, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television […]

21 Jun, 2016

Israel approves $21.3m aid for illegal West Bank settlements

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RAMALLAH, 20 June 2016, (WAFA) – The Israeli government, in its weekly meeting on Sunday, approved an additional 82 million shekels (about $21.3m) of aid to illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, according to Israeli media. The funds include 15 million shekels to cover extra security expenses; 10 million shekels for temporary housing and […]

21 Jun, 2016

China implements trans-provincial departure tax refund

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Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), June 20, 2016 – A tourist from Italy bought clothes in the Florentia Village in Tianjin and on the morning of June 17, he smoothly went through customs and got a departure tax refund in the Beijing Capital International Airport. This was the first case of a trans-provincial departure tax refund […]

21 Jun, 2016

Palestinian Foreign Ministry: Israel has begun annexing settlements

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RAMALLAH, 20 June 2016, (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement Monday, that Israel’s recent approval to disburse $21.3m in aid to illegal settlements in the West Bank means that Israel practically started to annex the settlements. It said that, for instance, Israel’s enforcement of the Investment Promotion Law in the West Bank settlements, […]

21 Jun, 2016

Fastest China-Europe train sets record time of 10.5 days

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CHENGDU, 14 June 2016, China Daily — Container trains from China’s Chengdu, Sichuan Province, to Europe will take only ten-and-a-half days to complete a one-way trip, the fastest among China-Europe trains. The 41 trans-continent carriages departed the Southwest China city on June 8 wearing the newly-launched unified logo for China-Europe freights, the “China Railway Express” […]

21 Jun, 2016

China’s large passenger aircraft to take flight, trillion-dollar industry clusters will take shape

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Beijing, 14 June 2016, People’s Daily Online – China’s independently developed C919 large passenger jetliner will take its first flight later this year and complete the follow-up technical verifications as early as 2017 before being delivered, Economic Information Daily reports on Tuesday. The success of the maiden flight indicates that the domestically produced large passenger aircraft C919 has […]

21 Jun, 2016

Construction of 55-km, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge making progress

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Beijing, 20 June 2016, China Daily – Experts say construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Starting from the Lantau Island in Hong Kong, the Y-shaped bridge will have a total length of about 55 km, including a 6.7 km underwater tunnel and a 23-km […]

21 Jun, 2016

World’s first passenger drone may fly over Nevada this year

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LOS ANGELES, 19 June 2016, (Xinhua) — The world’s first drone capable of autonomously carrying a person may test-fly in Nevada later this year, the United States, Chinese Aerial technology company EHang Holdings Limited told Xinhua on Sunday. The Chinese company based in China’s southern province of Guangdong and the state of Nevada are trying […]

21 Jun, 2016

New global poll: Transition to digital economy must deliver justice and fairness to all workers

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21 June 2016 (ITUC OnLine): Technology itself is not a threat to decent work – it is how it is managed and in whose interest that matters, said international labour unions ahead of an OECD Ministerial meeting on the Digital Economy in Mexico. “The digital revolution provides opportunities for decent jobs and quality services if […]

21 Jun, 2016

Casino baron donated US$1.2 million to fund anti-Muslim hatred in U.S. – Report

Imtiaz Muqbil

WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/20/2016 – Jewish casino baron Sheldon Adelson’s Family Foundation has been identified as one of 33 groups, institutions and individuals which provided or “enjoyed access to” at least US$205 million to “spread fear and hatred of Muslims” in the United States between 2008-13. A report published by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) […]

21 Jun, 2016

Now everyone can fly, so why can’t all service sectors? Thai Central Bank chief asks

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Bangkok – In a landmark speech on June 17, Mr Veerathai Santiprabhob, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, praised the economic growth generated by open-sky policies and the low-cost airlines in the Greater Mekong Subregion, and asked why all the other service sectors cannot follow suit. Delivering the Keynote Address on “Financial Connectivity in Cambodia, […]

20 Jun, 2016

Bethlehem University Hails its First Tourism Vocational Training Program Graduates

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 June 2016 (15 Ramadan 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA LAUNCH OF 1MALAYSIA MEGA SALE CARNIVAL 2016 & […]

18 Jun, 2016

Why are we so reluctant to label white attackers as terrorists? – Yasmin Ahmed, The Independent

We find it difficult to accept that white terrorist organisations are alive and kicking in the west. Some fringe far right groups have already advocated “militant direct action” in achieving their aims. Had a group of Muslims claimed to be specialising in “militant action” in the UK, surely the threat would be taken far more […]

17 Jun, 2016

Chinese President’s trip to CEE countries, Central Asia to boost Belt & Road Initiative

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BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s upcoming trip to Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE) and Central Asia from June 17 to 24 is expected to significantly boost the Belt and Road Initiative. During his trip to CEE countries as well as Central Asia, two key regions under the framework of the […]

17 Jun, 2016

High-speed railway linking Shanghai and Kunming completed

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GUIYANG, June 16, 2016, Xinhua– Workers finish the last part track of the high-speed railway linking Shanghai and Kunming in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, June 16, 2016. The whole track laying work of the 2,266 kilometer-long high-speed railway linking Shanghai in east China and Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province was completed on Thursday. […]

17 Jun, 2016

As It Shapes ISIS-Centric Narrative, Orlando Police Reject FoI Request for Audio of Shooter’s 911 Call | Alternet

Hours after Omar Mateen opened fire in the LGBTQ Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, the Orlando Police Department informed the media that Mateen had sworn allegiance to ISIS in a call to its 911 emergency line. This single detail became the focus of all the coverage that followed, prompting politicians from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump […]

17 Jun, 2016

Corporate Media’s Spin on Orlando Shooting Is Boosting America’s Dirty Wars in Muslim-Majority Countries | Alternet

Within hours of Sunday morning’s horrific massacre at the LGBTQ Pulse club’s Latin night, numerous political elites were already banging the drums for retaliatory military escalation against ISIL and hardline crackdown against Muslim-American communities. Major media outlets enabled this war crescendo by uncritically amplifying hawkish voices while repeatedly failing to mention that there is no […]

17 Jun, 2016

Questions and Anomalies Surround ‘Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History’: Memory Hole

The “worst mass shooting in U.S. history” is reported to have occurred between 2 am and 5 am on Sunday morning, June 12, at Pulse, a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The “act of terror” is said to have produced 49 dead and 53 injured. A 50th death was that of the “shooter,” identified as Omar […]

17 Jun, 2016

Israel ‘cuts off water supply to West Bank’ during Muslim holy month – The Independent

Israel has cut off the water supply to large areas of the West Bank, Palestinian authorities have claimed. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been left without access to safe drinking water during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, at a time when temperatures can exceed 35C. The northern city […]

17 Jun, 2016

Bulletpoint highlights of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016

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New Delhi, 15-June-2016 — The Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju released the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 in New Delhi today. This is the first time since independence that an integrated Civil Aviation Policy has been brought out by the Ministry. Speaking on the occasion Mr Raju said that the centre-piece of […]

17 Jun, 2016

Security fears to boost Western Europe defence budgets by $50 Billion through 2019, IHS Says

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 16, 2016 – A deteriorating security situation has caused Western European defence budgets to rise for the first time in six years, according analysis released at the Eurosatory defence and security trade show by IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight. Approximately $50 billion will be added […]

17 Jun, 2016

Bangkok Bank President urges more local entrepreneurship in Mekong region

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Following is the full text of the Keynote Address by Mr Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank President, at the CLMVT FORUM 2016, on the topic of “Enabling Trade And Investment In CLMVT: The Role Of Banking And Finance In Regional Development”,  Thursday, 16 June 2016, Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand It is my great pleasure to […]

17 Jun, 2016

Anti-Muslim sentiment in Germany hits record high

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Berlin, (IINA) 16 Jun 2016  – The number of Germans with negative attitudes towards Muslims has hit its highest mark yet, Anadolu Agency reported citing the results of a recent study by Leipzig University released in Berlin on Wednesday. Some 50 percent of those surveyed said that they “sometimes feel like a foreigner in their […]

15 Jun, 2016

UNWTO, The Netherlands to hold conference on Religious Heritage Tourism

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To promote the role of religious tourism as an agent for cultural preservation, peace and understanding is the focus of the agreement undersigned by UNWTO and the Government of The Netherlands. The partnership includes the celebration of a conference on ‘Religious Heritage and Tourism: How to increase religious heritage tourism in a changing society’” that […]

15 Jun, 2016

Bali Preparing for Jazz Market by the Sea, 19-21 Aug 2016

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Bali, June 2016… Jazz market by the Sea is back for it’s 6th year! As always there’s the best of the Indonesian jazz scene, hotly-tipped emerging talent and exciting cross genre artists, with a programme that truly brings something for everyone. Attracting not just music fans, the festival includes vibrant market stalls showcasing local arts […]

15 Jun, 2016

Father’s Day Survey Reveals What U.S. Dads Want Most: A Vacation

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SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American dads have spoken, and what they most want for Father’s Day this year is: a vacation. According to new research from Ebates, the online cash back shopping and subsidiary of the global internet services company Rakuten, loving children and spouses should be browsing for vacations and getaways, because Dad is hoping to get […]

15 Jun, 2016

No jokes please, we’re Indian – The Hindu

Sometimes the reaction is the real joke. The police force in India’s financial capital have sought legal opinion to check if they have grounds to file an FIR against a comedian for a video he recently posted on the messaging application, Snapchat. The Mumbai police were following up on a complaint from the Maharashtra Navnirman […]

15 Jun, 2016

A satiated Ramadan – Times of India

By Eternally Hungry I stopped the car near a footpath and thought of sharing the sheer delights with the street children. Well yes, because I wouldn’t have eaten them anyway. I asked one of them if they could eat mutton and the answer shook me forever, “Bhookh mein kuch bhi chalega”. I got up instantly, […]

15 Jun, 2016

Hindu Sena cuts cake for Trump, ‘messiah against Islamic terror’ – The Indian Express

Little-known right wing group Hindu Sena on Tuesday celebrated US Republican party candidate Donald Trump’s birthday at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. With a birthday cake, balloons and posters — including one showing Trump brandishing a gun, the group celebrated Trump’s birthday. The Hindu Sena called Trump the ‘saviour of humanity’ and the ‘messiah […]

15 Jun, 2016

Growing Islamophobia will only make America more unsafe – DAWN.COM

THE horror of the recent Orlando shooting at a gay nightclub that left almost 50 dead and dozens injured has shaken the United States. It is the biggest act of terrorism on American soil since the 9/11 tragedy. There has been across-the-board sympathy and a show of solidarity with the victims of the mindless and […]

15 Jun, 2016

America’s new terror reality – The Hindu

The toxic forces of global jihadist terror, lax gun control laws and pernicious homophobia converged on Sunday night at a gay club in Orlando, Florida. The outcome was the worst mass shooting incident in U.S. history. Omar Mateen, 29, a U.S.-born son of Afghan immigrants, killed 50 people and injured at least 53 using both […]

15 Jun, 2016

Breaking the Israel-Palestine logjam – The Hindu

The problem in the case of the Israel-Palestine conflict is that there’s a pro-Israel bias among the Western powers which stops them from putting real pressure on Tel Aviv to deliver. Israel knows that it can get away with anything. It’s the only nuclear armed nation in West Asia, though it hasn’t officially declared that. […]

15 Jun, 2016

The way Australian billionaires earn their wealth – Sydney Morning Herald

It turns out Australia has a disproportionate share of the world’s billionaires. We have about 0.33 per cent of the global population but account for 1.8 per cent of all billionaires, the research shows. And its finance and property – not mining – that has created more Australian billionaires than any other industry. The Peterson Institute paper says 31 per cent of […]

15 Jun, 2016

‘Ramadan Tov’: How to stop funding Israel’s occupation – Al Jazeera

Established in 2005, BDS is a Palestinian-led global movement that calls for an economic, academic and cultural boycott of Israel until it complies with international law and grants Palestinians their rights. Abu Helal says that one of the factors that sets this campaign apart from previous ones is the use of the word “tov” which […]

15 Jun, 2016

How did one of the worst paedophiles in history get away with his crimes? – The Guardian

The head of the American Nicaraguan School, Dr Gloria Doll, immediately confronted Vahey with the cache of images. He confessed that he had spent a lifetime drugging his pupils and abusing them. “I was molested as a boy, that is why I do this,” he told Doll, according to an FBI affidavit. “I have been […]

15 Jun, 2016

Orlando shooter Omar Mateen was a child of America not ISIS — RT Op-Edge

Though much is being made of Mateen’s radicalization and pledge of allegiance to ISIS – and of the fact he was investigated by the FBI not once, not twice, but three times without further action taken and was still able to freely purchase the AR-15 assault rifle he used to carry out his massacre – […]

15 Jun, 2016

‘Endemic US mass shootings driven by gun culture & nihilistic rage’ — RT Op-Edge

Due to widespread Islamophobia many US citizens are rushing to blame Islamist radicalism for an “endemic” of mass shootings and do not realize that the government’s own gun policies only fuel the violence, RT America’s Chris Hedges believes. Although most people in the US assume the radical ideology and Islamic terrorism are behind the present-day […]

14 Jun, 2016

Visa Study: Households Traveling Internationally Will Surpass 280 Million By 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, 9 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) today released the results of a new study that forecasts a significant increase in international travel by households globally over the next decade. The study estimates that roughly 282 million households will plan at least one international trip per year by 2025, up nearly 35 percent […]

14 Jun, 2016

Tourico Holidays Sees Strong Growth in U.S. Hotel Bookings from Europe, Asia

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NEW ORLEANS, 9 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Tourico Holidays, a leading wholesale travel brokerage, today shared data revealing a significant increase in year-over-year hotel bookings into the United States from Europe and Asia – with 20 percent growth and 19 percent growth respectively. The jump in inbound hotel activity was due, in large part, to a […]

14 Jun, 2016

Humana Works to Break Americans’ Habit of Spending 93% of Life Indoors

CHICAGO, 9 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–As a proud partner of the National Park Service Centennial, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is encouraging Americans to get out and enjoy nature this summer. Humana’s increased emphasis on embracing the health benefits of the outdoors is supported by a recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by the company, which revealed […]

14 Jun, 2016

New Airbnb Feature Allows Employees to Book Business Travel for Co-Workers

SAN FRANCISCO, 8 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Airbnb today announced the launch of a new tool that allows employees to book business travel for co-workers. As business travel has tripled in growth on Airbnb in 2016, this new feature allows business partners like travel managers and executive assistants to be able to book Airbnb listings on […]

14 Jun, 2016

Millennials at Forefront of Shift toward “Experience-Based” Spending – Research

NEW YORK, 9 June 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–The Millennial Generation is the largest in U.S. history and will heavily influence the fortunes of commercial real estate and the retail sector for the next half century, according to The Age of Experience-Based Retail, a new study by the research arm of MetLife Investment Management (MIM). The Millennial […]

14 Jun, 2016

It’s official: Much more growth potential in Merchants of Death than Industry of Peace

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–13 June 2016 – Global defence trade reached a record-breaking $65 billion in 2015, according to the annual Global Defence Trade Report released today by IHS Inc. (NYSE:IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight. The report examines trends in the global defence market across 65 countries and is based upon 40,000 […]

13 Jun, 2016

Turkish tourism praises extension of Eid al-Fitr holiday to nine days

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 June 2016 (08 Ramadan 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA, SAUDI ARABIA SIGN MoU TO BOOST TOURISM […]

13 Jun, 2016

Airport and Marine Port Security Market to double to US$110.5 billion by 2025 – Report

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DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 07, 2016 – Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Airport and Marine Port Security Market by Security Technology, by Service (Facility and Asset Management, System Integration, Training and Consulting), by Infrastructure Type, by Region (NA, Europe, APAC, MEA, LA) – Global Forecast to 2025” report to their offering. The airport […]

13 Jun, 2016

Increase in Terrorist Activities to Propel Defense Technology Market – Technavio Report

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LONDON–June 08, 2016  – As asserted repeatedly by Travel Impact Newswire over the years, terrorist attacks are manna from heaven for the military-industrial complex and the security industry. Both are set to make windfall profits, drive economic growth and create jobs which, of course, will be good for alleviating poverty and meeting the UN Sustainable […]

13 Jun, 2016

High-powered Bangladeshi Expo bids to cut travel, trade gap with Thailand

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The first Bangladeshi female ambassador  in 44 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand has pulled off a hugely successful trade and investment expo designed to help Thai businessmen “take a fresh look” at a rapidly emerging country with huge cost and competitive advantages. Several ministers, chambers of commerce leaders and dozens of businesspersons […]

13 Jun, 2016

Orlando Killer Worked For Company Transporting Illegal Immigrants Inside US; Was Interviewed By FBI 3 Times

In a surprising discovery, the Palm Beach Post first reported that according to state records, Orlando shooter Omar Mateen – who as we reported earlier was licensed as a security guard and also holds a firearms license – was employed by the US subsidiary of G4S plc, a British multinational security services company, whose US-headquarters […]

10 Jun, 2016

Only Solution to Palestinian Terrorism Is the End of the Occupation – Haaretz Editorial

It’s amazing how the Israeli government does not learn its lesson and recognize what should have been clear long ago: The terror will continue as long as the Palestinian people have no hope on the horizon. No military steps will eradicate it and no boastful declarations will end it. The only way to deal with […]

9 Jun, 2016

Hindutva terror is as grave a threat to the Indian people as Islamist terror — Harsh Mander, The Indian Express

Apologists suggest that Hindutva terror is only a recent development; a retaliation to Islamist terror. This obscures the fact that it was Hindutva terror and violence that took Mahatma Gandhi’s life, demolished the Babri Masjid leading to the bloodiest communal clashes in post-Independent India, and organised many communal massacres of minorities. Hindutva terror banks on […]

9 Jun, 2016

UN agency announces world’s first illegal fishing treaty now in force

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 June 2016 – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced that a groundbreaking international accord aimed at stamping out illegal fishing went into effect today and is now legally binding for the 29 countries and a regional organization that have adhered to it. “This is a […]

9 Jun, 2016

UN unveils first-ever global standard to measure food loss and waste

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 7 June 2016 – A partnership of leading international organizations, including the United Nations, has announced the launch of a first-ever global standard to measure food loss and waste while at the Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) 2016 Summit currently underway in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Food Loss and Waste Accounting […]

9 Jun, 2016

Global Trades Union survey: Worst Year for Workers Rights, Free Speech and Democracy

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Brussels, 9 June 2016 (International Trade Union Confederation OnLine): Weakening of workers’ rights in most regions is being aggravated by severe crackdowns on freedom of speech and assembly, according to the 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index.  Restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, including severe crackdowns in some countries, increased by 22%, with 50 out […]

9 Jun, 2016

World Bank loans US$500 million to help Hebei Province, China, cut deadly air pollution

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WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 (World Bank media release) — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a loan of $500 million to help China’s Hebei Province reduce air pollutants. “Hebei has the highest annual average PM2.5 concentration in the Jing-Jin-Ji (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) region. It is also responsible for about 70% of the emissions in […]

7 Jun, 2016

Remembering Muhammad Ali: “I declare support for the Palestinian struggle to liberate their homeland”

On the occasion of the passing of legendary athlete and struggler for justice, Muhammad Ali, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network joins millions around the world in remembering Ali’s historic legacy of commitment to the liberation of oppressed peoples and his willingness to sacrifice in order to adhere to those principles. In 1985, Ali traveled to […]

6 Jun, 2016

Turkish News Agency Anadolu launches new service on Islamic world

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 06 June 2016 (01 Ramadan ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA TOURISM MALAYSIA INTRODUCES BEST OF LABUAN HOLIDAY PACKAGES 2016 Tourism Malaysia has launched 16 holiday packages to promote Labuan as a holiday […]

6 Jun, 2016

More Time to Unwind, Unless You’re a Woman – The New York Times

If people in all of these groups are working less, then someone must be working more. The answer, overwhelmingly, is women, who have taken on an Atlaslike role in supporting American economic growth. There are reasons to believe that at least some of the growth in female work hours has been an unfair burden. It […]

6 Jun, 2016

Norway becomes first country to commit to zero deforestation – The Independent

Norway has become the first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation. The Norwegian parliament pledged the government’s public procurement policy will become deforestation-free after a committee of MPs recommended imposing regulations to ensure the state did “not contribute to deforestation of the rainforest”. Norway funds forest conservation projects worldwide and also supports […]

6 Jun, 2016

ASEAN uses economic analysis to assess anti-competitive practices

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Putrajaya, 6 June 2016 (ASEAN media release) – A Regional Workshop on Economic Analysis for Competition Law Enforcement was held on 1-2 June in Putrajaya, Malaysia to discuss the role and scope of economic analysis within the context of Competition Policy and Law (CPL). The workshop serves to highlight the significance of economic analysis in […]

6 Jun, 2016

Israel escalates forced transfer of Palestinians – AJE News

Occupied East Jerusalem – With a weary slump, Maisa Tamimi squeezed onto the living room sofa between her mother and husband. “It has been an extremely hard time,” she said anxiously. “I could never have imagined I would lose my son and then my home.” In recent months, Maisa’s life has changed dramatically. In early […]

6 Jun, 2016

Students visit Tokyo mosque to get unbiased glimpse of Islam | The Japan Times

Tokyo – A recent wave of terror has fueled anti-Muslim hostility worldwide, fostering a negative image of Islam — a faith still unfamiliar in Japan. But Japan’s youth have been seeking answers to questions including what Islam really teaches and why it is blamed for violence. Many schools have introduced visits to Tokyo’s largest mosque […]

6 Jun, 2016

McKinsey report reflects state of denial in travel & tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil

A Mckinsey survey of global corporate chief executives shows that they increasingly see geostrategic instability as a very important business trend impacting on their profitability but do not quite understand what to do about it. The survey by the reputed consultancy company says that the share of executives identifying geopolitical and domestic instability as a […]

5 Jun, 2016

OPINION: Islamophobia and the commodification of hate – Anadolu Agency

Islamophobia has become popularized in recent years thanks to far-right politicians, news organizations like Fox, and popular media like the Showtime series Homeland, all of which use political conflagrations in their presentations of Muslims as villains, or worse. In news programs, political platforms, and television dramas, Muslims are denigrated, demonized, and dehumanized in ways that […]

5 Jun, 2016

Australia urged to raise alcohol taxes, ban alcohol sponsorship in sport

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CANBERRA, June 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Australian government should ban alcohol sponsorship in sport, introduce higher alcohol taxes and mandate “lockout laws” to reduce alcohol-related harm, the nation’s largest not-for-profit health provider has said. St Vincent’s Health Australia has released its health “wish list” ahead of the 2016 federal election, and has urged both major […]

2 Jun, 2016

Path to happiness lies in good health and a good job, OECD Better Life Index shows

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Paris, 31 May 2016, OECD media release – Being healthy and having a good job are two of the most important ingredients associated with subjective well-being, according to the latest data from the OECD’s Better Life Index. It shows life satisfaction is generally highest in Denmark, Norway and other Nordic nations, as well as in […]

2 Jun, 2016

Now Available: An Unrivalled hiSTORY of Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism

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Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil, the Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism industry’s leading journalist-cum-historian, has curated 36 years of reports, notes, research and interviews into an unrivalled collection of Travel & Tourism hiSTORY. Now available for public presentation via lectures, university courses and/or keynote speeches, this authoritative and compelling collection of STORIES […]

1 Jun, 2016

Singapore travel agents association ushers in “next-generation” Executive Committee

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Singapore – The newly-reelected President of the National Association of Travel Agents of Singapore (NATAS) has set his sights on fulfilling three major objectives which in fact apply not just to his constituency but the global travel agency community at large. Mr. Devinder Ohri was re-elected NATAS President at the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) […]