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Archive for September, 2018

30 Sep, 2018

Palestine Circus Festival’s “United for Freedom” opens in Ramallah

RAMALLAH, September 29, 2018 (WAFA) – The second edition of the Palestine Circus Festival, entitled “United for Freedom”, opened in Ramallah on Thursday with the participation of about 200 local and international artists, according to press release. Palestinian officials, a representative of the European Union, representatives of international and local cultural and artistic organizations, municipalities […]

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30 Sep, 2018

Palestine files lawsuit against US at the International Court of Justice

RAMALLAH, September 29, 2018 (WAFA) – The State of Palestine has filed a lawsuit against the United States at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main judicial body of the United Nations, for violating international law by moving its embassy in Israel to the occupied city of Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said on […]

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29 Sep, 2018

ADB’s new Access to Information Policy “expands some areas of disclosure”

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (28 September 2018) News Release — The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors today approved a new Access to Information Policy that aims to maintain ADB’s high standards of transparency. The policy, which will come into effect on 1 January, 2019, will replace the current Public Communications Policy (PCP). The new policy […]

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26 Sep, 2018

UK-based watchdog group Tourism Concern dies, aged 29, due to funding shortage

Bangkok, 26 September 2018 — The UK-based tourism watchdog group Tourism Concern has announced its closure, citing a “lost battle for financial survival in these difficult times.” The group’s website has been shut down and replaced with the closure notification. The group was funded by volunteers, charities, foundations and membership fees. The closure announcement said […]

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26 Sep, 2018

Langkawi’s “Green Laboratory” owner to share expertise at PATAcademy Dec 11-13

Langkawi, Malaysia — This is Anthony Wong, owner and Managing Director of the the award-winning,Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa. Hosting the PATA Environment Committee meeting just before the recent PATA Travel Mart 2018 in Langkawi, he sat quietly all through, listening patiently to the committee members banter on about their sustainability initiatives. After all the […]

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26 Sep, 2018

Youth2030: UN chief launches bold new strategy for young people ‘to lead’

United Nations, (UN News Centre) 24 September 2018 — The United Nations Secretary-General launched a new partnership strategy with the world’s 1.8 billion young people on Monday, to help put “their ideas into action”. Noting that it was “a rare treat” to see so many young faces at the UN, to launch the new “Youth2030” […]

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26 Sep, 2018

China plans education reform for seniors to counter shrinking workforce

Beijing, (China Daily) September 25, 2018 – Policymakers are considering changing the syllabuses at Chinese elderly universities, education centers that target senior citizens, to include more practical courses, equipping retirees with a modern skill set in response to the nation’s rapidly aging society and shrinking labor force. The idea has been welcomed by retirees who […]

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25 Sep, 2018

Forging ASEAN integration at the PATA Travel Mart 2018: Two Buddhists and a Muslim visit a prominent Langkawi temple

Langkawi – One of the core objectives of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community 2025 Integration Blueprint is to build “a dynamic and harmonious community that is aware and proud of its identity, culture, and heritage.” UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the United Nations Agenda 2030 is to promote “peaceful and inclusive societies.” And Travel & […]

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25 Sep, 2018

Leaders Call for New Global Architecture for Sustainable Markets at World Economic Forum Summit

Geneva and New York, 24 September 2018 (WEF media release) – The World Economic Forum’s second annual Sustainable Development Impact Summit opened in New York City with a call for government, business and civil society leaders to scale up proven initiatives to build sustainable global markets.  “The thinking has been done. Now is the time […]

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25 Sep, 2018

Australian consumer watchdog warns of social media celebrity endorsement scams

Canberra, 24 September 2018 (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission media release) — People are increasingly being caught out by celebrity endorsement scams, with reports to Scamwatch increasing 400 per cent and losses increasing a staggering 3,800 per cent so far in 2018. These scams often appear as online advertisements or promotional stories on social media […]

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24 Sep, 2018

7 Oct: World Day for Decent Work will highlight “deeply entrenched injustice of the global economic system”

Brussels, 24 September 2018 (ITUC OnLine): Workers from around the world will be holding activities to mark the 11th World Day for Decent Work on 7 October. This year’s global theme, “Change the Rules”, highlights the deeply entrenched injustice of the global economic system alongside shrinking democratic space and deteriorating labour rights in many countries, […]

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24 Sep, 2018

Australian welfare debt dodgers being hit with travel bans

Canberra, 22 September 2018, Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation media release – Welfare debt dodgers are being warned they could be hit with international travel bans as part of a new push to recover hundreds of millions of dollars owed to taxpayers. The Department of Human Services began issuing Departure Prohibition Orders (DPOs) […]

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23 Sep, 2018

Survey finds today’s children are spending 35% less time playing freely outside

MONTREAL–(BUSINESS WIRE) — September 20, 2018 – Kamik, a footwear and apparel manufacturer, today announced new survey result findings that indicate a significant decrease in outdoor play among children ages 3-12. An overwhelming majority of mothers agreed that their best childhood memories took place outdoors while playing with a friend or a sibling, recalling these […]

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23 Sep, 2018

HSBC Value of Education Survey reveals the U.S. has the largest college funding gap

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 20, 2018 – HSBC Bank, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations, today published a global study on education trends, parents’ hopes and fears for their children’s education, and their attitudes and behaviors towards funding. The survey, entitled, The Value of Education, also explores students’ own experiences while studying. Key […]

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23 Sep, 2018

2018 Busan One Asia Festival to be held Oct 20-28

BUSAN, South Korea September 20, 2018–(BUSINESS WIRE) — BUSAN METROPOLITAN CITY announced that the Busan One Asia Festival (BOF) will be held from October 20 to 28 in Busan. BOF will open with a spectacular ‘BOF Opening Performance’ on October 20 and end with the ‘BOF Closing Performance’ on Oct 28, both will be at the Busan […]

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21 Sep, 2018

Wars, conflict will bleed Gulf States to death, with U.S. arms dealers to be main beneficiaries, report confirms

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 06, 2018 – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are forecast to spend over USD100 billion on their defence capabilities for the first time next year, with increasing budgets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) driving growth between 2018 and 2027. Across the Gulf states comprising the GCC (Saudi […]

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21 Sep, 2018

The three Prize-winning essays of The Olive Tree Awards Round II essay competition

First Place Co-winner Twinkle Malukani: Tourism to accelerate UN SDGs: From personal level to industry level and beyond boundaries of regions and economy Leisure has not been the sole purpose of moving from one place to another. From the time Plato propagated the concept of Cave Allegory in which his protagonist philosopher once breaks through […]

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21 Sep, 2018

Three young women from India sweep top awards in The Olive Tree essay competition

Bangkok – Three young women from India have swept the top honours in the second round of The Olive Tree awards, a unique essay competition launched by this editor to forge a stronger linkage between Travel & Tourism and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Twinkle Malukani, 22, Vinita Srinivasan, 22, and Natasha Goel, 25, received […]

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18 Sep, 2018

Report exposes ugly truth behind Israel’s blood-soaked “security” apparatus

September 12, 2018 (Jewish Voice for Peace media release) – From the acting Deputy Director of ICE to the current Chief of Police in Washington DC, from San Diego to Chicago to Atlanta, since 2002 thousands of American law enforcement officials have trained in Israel with Israeli police, military and the Shin Bet. And thousands […]

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18 Sep, 2018

Israeli-occupied Palestine has world’s highest unemployment rate – UNCTAD Report

Geneva, 12 September 2018 (UNCTAD news release) – Unemployment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory rose to more than 27 per cent – the highest rate in the world – while per head income declined and agricultural production contracted by 11 per cent, as socioeconomic conditions in the past year worsened, according the latest UNCTAD annual […]

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18 Sep, 2018

Americans urged: Oppose Jewish lobby’s bid to gag anti-Israel events on U.S. College Campuses

The following announcement has been circulated today by the the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). American expatriates living abroad, especially in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, take note. Te American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urges you to call and email your Senators and demand they: (+) Oppose U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Assistant […]

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15 Sep, 2018

‘Shadow’ of persistent inequality is growing worldwide, key UN human development report reveals

United Nations, 14 September 2018, UN News — While health, education, and income levels have improved overall across the globe, “wide inequalities” both among and within countries, are casting a shadow on sustained human development, a new United Nations report shows. Looking at the widening gap in real terms, a child born in Norway today […]

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15 Sep, 2018

Seven Thai Dishes You Should Never Order

Thailand may be promoting Gastronomy Tourism, but the health promotion website WebMD has put out a bulletin warning that not all Thai food is good for health. It says, “Thai food is often packed with vegetables and lean protein, but your favorite restaurant’s menu also has some fat and calorie bombs. Here’s what to order […]

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15 Sep, 2018

Asia will need $8.4 trillion to build new transport infrastructure

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (12 September 2018) ADB News Release — Meeting Asia and the Pacific’s transport needs will require $8.4 trillion in financing by 2030, said Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mr. Takehiko Nakao at the Transport Forum 2018, which opened today at ADB’s headquarters, coorganized by ADB and the ADB Institute. The theme of Transport […]

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14 Sep, 2018

Five Aviation/Aerospace stakeholders launch global study on women in leadership

Halifax, 13 September 2018 (Airports Council International media release) – Five stakeholder organizations in the aviation and aerospace industry will launch a global study – “Soaring Through the Glass Ceiling” – to identify and promote means by which the aviation and aerospace industry can more effectively recruit and advance women into leadership roles. The study […]

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12 Sep, 2018

How long before Langkawi becomes another Boracay?

Langkawi, Malaysia — How long before the once pristine, unspoiled island of Langkawi goes the same way as Boracay, the Philippines island that was shut down earlier this year for a few months breather from the pressure of tourism? That was the question I posed right at the start of a workshop on forging stronger […]

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3 Sep, 2018

Hyatt under pressure to drop annual convention of U.S. anti-Muslim hate group

Shoulder to Shoulder, a coalition of 34 religious denominations and organizations which says it is “committed to standing with American Muslims to uphold American values”, has written to Mark S. Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt Hotels, urging the chain’s property in Crystal City, Virginia, to drop the annual convention of ACT for America, […]

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3 Sep, 2018

Equal Pay Day: Australian agency offers tips to narrow the male-female earnings gap

Canberra, Workplace Gender Equality Agency — Equal Pay Day falls on Friday 31 August this year. It marks the additional 62 days that women had to work to earn the same amount as men did on 30 June this year. “Although the gender pay gap has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years at […]

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2 Sep, 2018

World Council of Churches to mark Global Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel, 16-23 Sept

World Week for Peace in Palestine & Israel, 16-23 September, 2018  Investing in young people  A week of education, prayer and action for peace in Palestine & Israel, initiated by the World Council of Churches. Planned events below This year’s theme is “Youth and Children: Raising Hope and Making Change”. Youth and children are the ones […]

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