29 Aug, 2016

Stop feeding the news machine – World News Publishing Focus

Newsrooms should stop burdening their resources to provide continuous breaking news updates that the audiences don’t need, Laufer said. “If your house is on fire, you will need to know about it immediately so that you can leave. But if someone else’s house is on fire, and he or she is on another continent an […]

29 Aug, 2016

To curb plastic bottles, “water ATMs” to be installed in Chandigarh – The Indian Express

With an aim to conserve the environment and to minimise the usage of plastic bottles, the civic body has decided to set up water ATM’s at 20 different locations in the city by this month. The water ATM’s would help curbing usage of 26,000 kilograms of plastic bottles used in Chandigarh per year. A committee […]

29 Aug, 2016

Five reasons to wear a burkini, and not just to annoy the French – The Guardian

By Remona Aly Wahey – it’s that time again, people! The burkini is all the rage for the ump-flippin-teenth time, and our latest dip into controversial swimwear politics comes from – you’ll never guess – the French. The mayor of Cannes is going trigger-ban happy by curtailing the right to swim while covered on the […]

29 Aug, 2016

Israeli prison ‘like being inside a grave’ – Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera: Can you tell us about your time in solitary confinement? Amal al-Sada: I was completely isolated. I did not see day or night. It was like being inside a grave. I spent two weeks without a shower because the bathroom I had was open and directly facing the door of the cell, so […]

29 Aug, 2016

Indian Railways helps passengers quench their thirst, get a good sleep – The Hindu

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the Bangalore division of the South Western Railways (SWR) launched an e-bedroll facility and water-vending machines at the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Station (earlier known as City Railway Station) on Monday morning. The e-bedrolls kits are of two types – one containing two cotton bed sheets and […]

29 Aug, 2016

Record payouts to UK veterans with mental health disorders – The Independent

The number of serving and ex-forces personnel being awarded compensation for mental disorders has hit record levels, leading to fears that we are now starting to see the true cost of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in the form of the mental scars left on those who had to fight them. Analysis of Armed Forces […]

29 Aug, 2016

BJP Chief: Nationalism questioned in the name of freedom of expression – Hindustan Times

BJP President Amit Shah said on Sunday nationalism was being questioned in the name of freedom of expression and “propaganda” against nationalism could not be considered as freedom of speech. “It has become a fashion for some people nowadays to question nationalism. This is being done in different places and new theories are being planted. […]

29 Aug, 2016

IsDB seeks nominations for US$450,000 awards in Science, Tech & Women in Development

Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 29 August 2016 (26 Dhul Qadah 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NO REGISTRATION FEE FOR WORLD TOURISM CONFERENCE […]

29 Aug, 2016

Israeli firm accused of creating iPhone spyware – The Guardian

An Israeli technology company has been accused of creating and supplying an aggressive interception program capable of taking over Apple’s iPhones and turning them into remote spying devices, after it was allegedly used to target a Middle Eastern human rights activist and others.The discovery, announced on Thursday, prompted Apple to issue an urgent software update […]

23 Aug, 2016

Low petrol prices not being passed on to motorists: Aussie consumer watchdog group report

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Canberra, 22 August 2016, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission media release — The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest report on the Australian petroleum industry shows that average petrol prices in 2015–16 were at their lowest levels since 2002. However, gross retail margins also increased to their highest levels, indicating that the full benefits of […]

22 Aug, 2016

Exclusive Compilation: Highlights of the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum

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A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 22 August 2016 (19 Dhul Qa’dah 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA AUGUST MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR MALAYSIA Proclamations […]

20 Aug, 2016

China to push for new rules to stabilise global financial governance

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by Xinhua writer Xiong Ping BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) — Global financial governance desperately needs to continue to overcome hurdles to become more stable and resilient, as it has now entered a period of risk exposures. The global financial crisis emerging in 2008 has exposed the flaws of the existing global financial system and highlighted […]

20 Aug, 2016

Muslim, Sikh Groups Launch ‘Twitterstorm’ Urging FIBA to Drop Hijab Ban

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 8/19/16) – Later today (3-5 p.m. EDT) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will join with MPower Change and the The Sikh Coalition to launch a “Twitterstorm” urging the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to permanently lift the ban on athletes wearing religious attire when it issues a final decision on its […]

20 Aug, 2016

Nine out of ten US tourists more likely to visit Britain following Brexit vote

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–August 17, 2016  – London remains a top destination for US tourists following the EU referendum vote, according to new research, with two thirds of US visitors pledging to return to the capital. Analysis carried out by London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s promotional company, shows that London’s booming tourism trade is set […]

20 Aug, 2016

Human suffering at highest level since founding of UN

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New York, 19 August 2016, (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs): On World Humanitarian Day, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, is calling for increased global leadership to address humanitarian crises. “Today, the scale of human suffering is greater than at any time since the United Nations was founded. A record 130 million people are […]

19 Aug, 2016

Attacks in Thailand: Visitor arrivals on upturn already

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Arrivals to Thailand are again heading upwards, barely a week after the Aug 11-12 bomb and arson attacks in various tourist destinations of Peninsula Thailand. The turnaround is a strong indicator of visitor confidence in the Thai tourism industry, and the diminishing global impact of low-grade, one-off attacks on travel & tourism. Daily […]

19 Aug, 2016

UN ESCAP issues first report on State of ICT in Asia-Pacific 2016

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok, 19 August 2016, UN ESCAP media release – Despite the widely reported phenomenal growth in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the Asia-Pacific region, a new study by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), has found that broadband capabilities and access are highly concentrated in East and […]

19 Aug, 2016

13 Unusual Things Job Seekers Have Done To Get Noticed, like Kissing the Hiring Manager

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CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — When you’re applying for a job, you don’t just want to get noticed, you want to stand out as the best applicant the hiring manager has ever seen. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, candidates are doing some creative and crazy things, but are they really helping them get […]

18 Aug, 2016

Why tourism will remain a victim of terrorism

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – Albert Einstein is credited with the quote which defines insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Clearly, that definition applies to the travel & tourism industry which, after every act of terrorism, issues a routine condemnation and then foolishly expects that to make any difference […]

17 Aug, 2016

Attacks in Thailand: Hot-off-the-Press statistics show minimal arrivals impact

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The Ministry of Tourism and Sports this morning posted the stats of daily arrivals at five international gateway airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Haad Yai) for the month of August to show the full impact of the Aug 11-12 bomb and arson attacks. The detailed stats include arrivals and departures […]

16 Aug, 2016

Attacks In Thailand: Much More To It Than Meets The Eye

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The explosions and suspected arson attacks in many popular Thai tourism destinations reflect five systemic and universal failures. Partially the result of living in denial and refusing to heed the lessons of history, they may hopefully lead to renewed policy approach and a more hard-nosed discourse about the inter-linkages between politically-motivated violence, safety […]

15 Aug, 2016

Islamic medical tradition “hijama” used by Olympic swimming champ

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 15 August 2016 (12 Dhul Qa’dah 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA AUGUST MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR MALAYSIA Proclamations […]

11 Aug, 2016

Gulf residents favour Southeast Asia for summer breaks

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Dubai, Aug 9, 2016, Media release distributed by Shamal Marketing Communications — According to Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Gulf residents spinning the globe in search of exciting destinations in which to enjoy summer breaks are being drawn to Southeast Asia with direct air routes, the affordability factor, cooler temperatures and an ample choice of accommodation […]

11 Aug, 2016

$81 Billion Mobilized In 2015 to Tackle Climate Change – Joint MDB Report

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES  – ADB News Release – 9 August 2016 –  Climate finance totaling $81 billion was mobilized for projects funded by the world’s six largest multilateral development banks (MDBs) in 2015. This included $25 billion of MDBs’ direct climate finance, combined with a further $56 billion from other investors. The latest MDB climate finance […]

11 Aug, 2016

Dutch Chamber hosts first luncheon talk on Historic Success of Thai Tourism

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Bangkok – The Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce has become the first in Thailand to host a luncheon talk on the inspiring history behind the phenomenal success of the Thai tourism industry. Two of Thailand’s longest serving travel trade journalists, Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, and Don Ross, Editor of TTR Weekly, gave […]

10 Aug, 2016

Islamic designs flag rising popularity, elegance of “modest fashion”

Imtiaz Muqbil

Jakarta – Islamic fashion is spearheading the rise of a new global trend known as “modest fashion”. After years of designing clothes that “reduced women to objects of sexual desire or just used to sell merchandise”, global fashion houses are awakening to this new trend. At a broader level, this pursuit of the middle-path is […]

8 Aug, 2016

China launches first organised tours to Kazakhstan

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 08 August 2016 (05 Dhul Qa’dah 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA AUGUST MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR MALAYSIA Proclamations […]

3 Aug, 2016

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s speech that the Myanmar tourism industry must read

Imtiaz Muqbil

Jakarta – Sri Lanka and Myanmar have much in common. Both are Buddhist-majority countries which have recently come in from the cold, Myanmar after decades of military dictatorship, and Sri Lanka after decades of a bitter internecine ethnic conflict. Both have one more thing in common: a sizable Muslim minority. That’s where the similarities end, […]

2 Aug, 2016

Malaysian PM blasts “foreign interventions” as cause of violence and conflict in Islamic world

Imtiaz Muqbil

Jakarta — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has warned the Islamic countries against “foreign interventions” which he said have unleashed a “Pandora’s Box of sectarian conflict.” He also blasted “those who, out of political motivation, call for foreign powers to intervene in their own country.” The speech by the Malaysian PM at the opening […]

1 Aug, 2016

Jakarta all set for 12th World Islamic Economic Forum

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 01 August 2016 (27 Shawwal 1437). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA AUGUST MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR MALAYSIA Proclamations of […]