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Archive for September, 2019

26 Sep, 2019

Indonesia calls for end to anti-Muslim hatred, incitement at OIC meeting

Jakarta (ANTARA) 25 Sept 2019 – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, chairperson of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Working Group meeting for Peace and Dialogue, highlighted the need to put a stop to hatred against Islam. “The trends of hatred, fanaticism, and intolerance against Islam continue to rise. The political rhetoric that […]

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24 Sep, 2019

First OpenTech Summit in Bangkok can help Travel & Tourism regain control of its destiny

Bangkok – Travel & tourism IT executives seeking to break the stranglehold of the technology mega-corporations now dominating everything from booking engines to data-mining may find some opportunities at an OpenTech Summit to be held for the first time in the Thai capital on Oct 1-2. Funded by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency and supported by […]

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16 Sep, 2019

New WTO indicator finds services trade weakening into second half of 2019

Geneva, 16 Sept 2019, WTO media release – World trade in commercial services lost momentum through the second quarter of 2019 according to the WTO’s new Services Trade Barometer, launched on 16 September. The index’s reading of 98.4 is below the baseline value of 100, suggesting that services trade continued to face strong headwinds leading […]

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16 Sep, 2019

India joins growing number of “democracies” on human rights violations list

Geneva — The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet has painted a bleak picture of the global human rights situation. Although climate change is having a worldwide impact such as on indigenous peoples and environmental rights defenders, individual geopolitical flare-ups in many countries which are otherwise popular tourism destinations are worsening the problem. […]

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16 Sep, 2019

Grant Thornton survey: 62% of U.S. business owners see a recession looming

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 12, 2019 — American businesses do not plan on treading water when the next recession hits, according to a new Grant Thornton LLP survey of more than 250 business owners and C-level executives conducted in late June 2019. Innovation will remain a top priority: At least half of respondents identified innovation and innovation-related […]

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16 Sep, 2019

The Most Enriching Environmental Film Festival launched in Kuala Lumpur with Climate Action Theme

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) — The International Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival 2019 (KLEFF 2019) was launched at Taman Tugu today to celebrate the 12th installation of the film festival with the theme “Climate Action…Now!”. This year’s theme will explore the stories of people and organizations committed to taking climate action to create maximum […]

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16 Sep, 2019

Have Your Say: The Rise and Fall of PATA

Bangkok – In 1994, exactly 25 years ago, this was the full membership list of PATA, excluding the chapter members. In 1999, exactly 20 years ago, PATA relocated its HQ from San Francisco to Bangkok to take advantage of the opportunities of a Rising Asia. Instead of rising to new heights, an organisation that had […]

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13 Sep, 2019

Penang to host 7th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum October 15-17

George Town, 2019.09.05 – The 7th edition of the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF7) will be held from 15 to 17 October 2019. Touted as the largest and most diverse urban forum in Asia Pacific, this year it will be held in Penang, Malaysia. The forum is themed “Future of Asia and Pacific Cities: Transformative Pathways […]

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13 Sep, 2019

UN launches new plan to ‘reaffirm the sanctity’ of religious sites, counter hate and violence

United Nations, 12 September 2019 – In a landmark document that should be must-reading across the entire Travel & Tourism industry, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Thursday launched a new plan of action to “counter hate and violence around the globe”. It goes right to the heart of what this editor has termed […]

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12 Sep, 2019

Minor Corp Chairman Bill Heinecke challenges value of “disruptive” technologies

Bangkok – Mr William Heinecke, Chairman and CEO of Bangkok-based Minor Corporation, has raised some serious questions about the growing influence and impact of OTAs, ride-sharing services and other “disruptive” technologies that the travel & tourism industry is going ga-ga about. Speaking at the Thailand Focus 2019 Forum organised by the Stock Exchange of Thailand […]

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10 Sep, 2019

WAIC 2019 Closes with $1.39 Bn Commitment to Transform Shanghai into Global AI Tech Hub

SHANGHAI, 5 September 2019, PRNewswire – The second World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which welcomed hundreds of global companies, start-ups and universities, ended on August 31 with the unveiling of several groundbreaking AI projects and international cooperation agreements, set to turn Shanghai into one of the biggest technological hubs in the country. The Shanghai AI Investment Fund […]

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10 Sep, 2019

Life360 Survey Finds 25% of Parents Wish the Internet Was Never Invented

SAN FRANCISCO, 4 September 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – More than 67% of parents surveyed believe that the digital age has made parenting more difficult, and 25% wish the internet was never invented, according to results from a survey released today by Life360, the leading safety and coordination service for families worldwide. To manage family life in […]

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10 Sep, 2019

PATA Foundation Chairman quits following “inquisition” by two Executive Board members

Bangkok – The Chairman of the PATA Foundation, Mr Peter Semone, has quit abruptly, less than a year before he was due to start an official process to hand over the baton. The shock resignation, the first of its kind in the Foundation’s history, comes in the midst of a major restructuring programme under way […]

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9 Sep, 2019

AB InBev Targets Rising China’s Gen-Z with New Multi-Cultural “Smart Drinking” Strategy

SHANGHAI, 4 September 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – Global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) today celebrated the 12th year of its annual China smart drinking campaign by staging an awareness gala in Shanghai. Reinvented with a multi-cultural approach where heritage meets new lifestyles, this year’s campaign features a virtual character under its popular brand Harbin Beer and […]

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9 Sep, 2019

New Study Reveals Growing Skills Gap Becoming “Serious Drag on Business Efficiency”

HOBOKEN, N.J., 4 September 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – Wiley Education Services, a division of Wiley (NYSE: JWA) (NYSE: JWB) that provides tailored services and technology solutions for university and enterprise partners, and Future Workplace, an HR advisory and research firm preparing leaders for disruptions in recruiting, development and employee engagement, today announced the results of a survey […]

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9 Sep, 2019

“Colours of Africa” festival held in Bangkok to drive tourism, trade

Bangkok – Thousands of middle-upper income consumers from Thailand and tourists from all around the world were treated to a three-day “Colours of Africa” festival held in one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls over the 6 – 8 September weekend. The festival was intended to promote a better understanding of the African continent amongst […]

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7 Sep, 2019

Transparency.org: Three ways to stop money laundering through real estate

Source: Transparency.org • 6 September 2019 – Around the world, buying property is a favourite method for the corrupt to launder their ill-gotten gains. When corrupt officials take large bribes, embezzle funds or otherwise steal money from the countries they are meant to serve, the money usually has to be cleaned before it can be […]

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7 Sep, 2019

Physician burnout, improving patient experience amongst top priorities of U.S. healthcare organisations, study reveals

ALPHARETTA, Ga., 4 September 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – LocumTenens.com, a leading physician and advanced practitioner staffing agency, announced today the results of its newly-released signature study, Locum Tenens Engagements: Strategies, Usage and General Attitudes. The 2019 survey measures the perception and attitudes of hundreds of clinicians and healthcare executives and administrators across the United States about healthcare […]

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7 Sep, 2019

Gen Z is Highly Optimistic, Purpose Driven (and Less Stressed Out): Korn Ferry Survey Claims

LOS ANGELES, 4 September 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – As Gen Z (born 1997-2010) enters the workforce, a new Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) survey of professionals of all ages examines how the next generation in the workplace is bringing plenty of optimism, a lot of purpose and less stress than Millennials (born 1982-1996). Nearly two-thirds of respondents (60 percent) […]

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7 Sep, 2019

U.S. Watchdog Groups Planning Grassroots Push to Ban Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept/6/2019 – Almost 30 organizations from across the U.S. political spectrum have joined hands to launch the BanFacialRecognition.com campaign calling for a U.S. federal ban on law enforcement use of facial recognition technology. The groups, which represent more than 15 million combined members, plan to flood lawmakers with emails and calls from constituents. There is […]

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6 Sep, 2019

New Australian visa rule means 5-day turnaround time for major investors

Canberra, 30 Aug 2019, Austrade media release – Companies with major investments in Australia can quickly bring skilled employers into Australia to fill temporary shortages, after implementation of a change to the Accredited Sponsor Scheme for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa. Announced in March , the scheme is accessible to companies that have invested over […]

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6 Sep, 2019

Insights, Information key to Thailand’s diplomacy and focus on “Holistic Sustainability”

Bangkok – Insights and information is the fuel that drives diplomacy, the ability to anticipate change and the pursuit of “holistic sustainability” in a rapidly changing world, Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, said in a speech on 5 September 2019. Addressing a gathering of Bangkok-based foreign diplomats at the relaunch of […]

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4 Sep, 2019

New WHO report flags Europe’s alcohol epidemic and what to do about it

4 September 2019, IOGT News – Brand new WHO Europe alcohol status report 2019 illustrates the high burden of alcohol across the region and that alcohol use and related harms are not declining at an acceptable rate. In response, IOGT International is calling for a new EU Alcohol Strategy, for an updated and improved Action Plan […]

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3 Sep, 2019

Partnerships with civil society and youth ‘essential’ for a future that leaves no one behind

Utah, 28 August 2019, UN News – Partnerships with civil society and youth are essential to achieving the goals of key UN-backed international agreements, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement on climate change, María Fernanda Espinosa, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, told delegates at the UN Civil […]

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3 Sep, 2019

‘Extinction crisis’ pushes countries to agree stronger protection for global wildlife

28 August 2019, UN News – At-risk wildlife that is facing a “growing extinction crisis” received a boost on Wednesday, as countries wrapped up a marathon meeting in Geneva, by agreeing to increased protection measures and more sustainable trade in animals and plants across the globe. At its latest three-yearly conference, the UN-backed Convention on […]

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3 Sep, 2019

Shanghai to host Asia’s largest Musical Instruments Fair in October

SHANGHAI, 3 September 2019, PRNewswire – Music China, one of the most reputable musical instrument fairs in the world, will be held from October 10-13, 2019 in Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Known as Asia’s largest trade show of music industry, Music China 2019, organized by Shanghai Intex Exhibition Co., Ltd., gathers more than 2,200 international exhibitors from […]

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3 Sep, 2019

Kashmir: The Worst Conflict Area In The World

by Binu Mathew, Editor, countercurrents.org 27 August 2019, countercurrents.org – It won’t be an exaggeration to say Kashmir is the worst conflict area in the world. Look anywhere else in the world where there are conflicts, there is no communication crack down. From Gaza to West Papua, from Hong Kong to the Yellow Vests in France….. […]

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3 Sep, 2019

Growing neo-fascism today worryingly similar to European fascism in the 1930’s

By John Scales Avery 22 August 2019, Human Wrongs Watch – I would like to announce the publication of a new book, entitled “Fascism, Then and Now”. It can be freely downloaded from the following link: http://eacpe.org/app/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Fascism-then-and-now-John-Scales-Avery.pdf Please circulate the link to your friends who might be interested. Parallels between fascism of the 1930’s and […]

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2 Sep, 2019

Generation Z and Millennials Desperately Seeking Personal Fulfillment at Work, New Payments Study Finds

CHICAGO, 28 August 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – A national online study of adults ranging from 18 to 38 years found that Generation Z and Millennial employees are feeling an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction at work. Close to half (43 percent) of Millennials surveyed said they plan to leave their job within the next two years. Even more […]

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2 Sep, 2019

Cloud Robotics Global Revenue Expected to Reach $170.4 Billion by 2025: Tractica Report

BOULDER, Colo.-August 28, 2019-(BUSINESS WIRE) – While the global cloud robotics market is at a nascent stage of development, companies are becoming aware of its growing importance and are in the early stages of understanding what cloud robotics is, how it works, and what the implications are for their businesses. According to a new report […]

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2 Sep, 2019

ADB Opinion Piece: How South Asia can continue as world’s fastest growing subregion

By Lei Lei Song Manila, 2 August 2019, ADB News – Since 2014, South Asia has been the fastest growing subregion in the world, with its eight economies collectively boasting average annual growth of 7.0%. This is higher even than East Asia (6.2%), which includes China; Southeast Asia (4.9%); and the Pacific (4.7%). To carry […]

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2 Sep, 2019

ADB President Pledges $12 Billion in Support of New Flagship Initiatives in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA, 29 August 2019, ADB News – Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mr. Takehiko Nakao met with India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi today for the third time since Mr. Modi became Prime Minister and pledged to support the government’s new flagship initiatives led by the Prime Minister. He also met with Finance […]

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2 Sep, 2019

SKAL Bangkok and HSMAI Special Joint Event ‘Russia – It’s Not Just Caviar and Vodka’

Bangkok, 29 August 2019, — Skål International Bangkok has partnered with HSMAI Thailand to convene a Networking Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 22. on Sept 10. Guest speaker Mr. Dmitry Chernyshev, General Manager of Siam@Siam Hotel Design Pattaya, will provide unique insights into the future of Russian business travel and travel. […]

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2 Sep, 2019

Global Trades Union call for Global Resistance to Bolsonaro’s Amazon destruction

29 August 2019, The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – The ITUC has expressed its full solidarity with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon who have seen vast swathes of their homeland go up in smoke. The policies and environmental denialism of Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro have been heavily criticised by the international community as […]

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2 Sep, 2019

HIMSS AsiaPac19 Conference & Exhibition in Bangkok Will Address Shifting Paradigm of Healthcare

BANGKOK, 30 August 2019, PRNewswire – Healthcare and Information Management Systems Society Asia Pacific (HIMSS APAC), supported by the Ministry of Public Health Thailand, will organize the HIMSS AsiaPac19 Conference & Exhibition from 7-10 October 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre. HIMSS AsiaPac19 is into its 13th installment as an annual […]

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2 Sep, 2019

Russian Railways Demonstrates Driverless Lastochka Train at the PRO//Motion.EXPO

SHCHERBINKA, Russia, 29 August 2019, PRNewswire – Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Maxim Akimov and the Chairman of Russian Railways (RZD) Oleg Belozyorov took a test trip on Russia’s first unmanned electric train Lastochka on the experimental railway ring in Shcherbinka during the International Railway Salon PRO//Motion.EXPO on August 28th. “What we saw is a major technological […]

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2 Sep, 2019

Survey: One in Four Workers Would Steal Company Information to Secure Job at Competing Firm

  LOS ANGELES, 27 August 2019, BUSINESS WIRE – Gurucul, a leader in behavior based security and fraud analytics technology for on-premises and the cloud, today announced the results of a survey of workplace behavior conducted at Blackhat USA 2019. According to the 476 IT security professionals canvased, nearly one in four (24%) said they would take company […]

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