21 Jun, 2017

This woman’s ‘thank you’ note to Pakistan for defeating India in cricket is a must read | The Indian Express

After the match, many took to social media and even news media to lambast Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the rest of the team for the poor performance. The ‘mauka mauka’ ad man ruled the Internet space as the green T-shirt finally worked its magic and Pakistan beat India in ICC Champions Trophy final by […]

20 Jun, 2017

Muzzling freedom of expression in India – The Hindu

By Kapil Sibal What I eat is part of my freedom of expression. It is part of my identity. Also my desire to eat what I want, unless prohibited by law, is a matter of my choice. Exercise of choice is part of a person’s individuality. No one can pre-empt my right to exercise that […]

20 Jun, 2017

Switzerland tops World Innovation Index; India and other emerging markets on the rise

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 June 2017 – Innovation is a key development tool that could boost economies and provide a way out of the growing squeeze on the world’s food resources – one of the major challenges of the 21st century – according to a new United Nations report. “Innovation is the engine […]

20 Jun, 2017

Qatar Blockade: Global Trades Union blasts Gulf royal families for jeopardising lives of migrant millions

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Brussels, 19 June 2017 (ITUC OnLine):  Concerns over the conditions of migrant workers in Qatar are mounting, as the blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries continues.  Workers from Bangladesh, India and Nepal are telling of essential food prices doubling with the sealing of the Saudi border and closure of air […]

19 Jun, 2017

Australia opens Great Barrier Reef cruise ship policy for public consultation

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Canberra, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 16/06/2017 – Public feedback is invited on a draft policy for cruise ship operations in the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s draft policy brings together all current management arrangements for cruise ships operating across the Reef and promotes ecologically-sustainable activities. Great Barrier Reef […]

19 Jun, 2017

Theme Index and Museum Index 2016 shows Asian waterparks making a big splash

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HONG KONG, June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The 2016 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index, an annual study of attendance at top theme parks, water parks and museums around the world, reveals mixed results for calendar year 2016. While attendance at the top 25 global theme parks dipped by 1.1 percent, the world’s top 10 […]

19 Jun, 2017

ASEAN, EU to boost student mobility in the ASEAN region

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MANILA, 14 June 2017 (ASEAN secretariat media release) – Today, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines’ Commission for Higher Education (CHED), and the European Union (EU) joined forces to organise the First ASEAN Student Mobility Forum in Manila to capture and promote the benefits of student mobility in ASEAN. About 200 students […]

19 Jun, 2017

A Darkened Age – The Rule of Law in Protecting Morality and Humanity

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JURIST Guest Columnist, David M. Crane, of Syracuse University School of Law discusses the importance of the rule of law in restoring the ideals of humanity and morality on a global scale… There is a growling of a discontent, an unrest, just below the surface, festering ready to erupt into a boil of frustration. The […]

19 Jun, 2017

One Professor’s Journey from Israeli-occupied Palestine to Israeli-occupied USA

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By Prof Mazin Qumsiyeh I spent 40 hours on grueling travel between Palestine and the USA and my documents (and luggage) were checked 15-20 times along the way. The Israeli occupied United States is not much different from Israeli occupied Palestine. I will not bore you with details of going from Bethlehem to Jordan. I […]

14 Jun, 2017

Global aviation growth projects need for 530,000 pilots, 550,000 technicians over 20 years

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Bangkok, 14 June 2017 – The world’s passenger aircraft fleet above 100 seats is set to more than double in the next 20 years to over 40,000 planes as traffic is set to grow at 4.4 percent per year, according to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast 2017-2036. Over this period, increasing numbers of first time […]

14 Jun, 2017

Asia-based HIV Workers Explore Innovative Use of Social Media to Combat Rising Infection Rate

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BANGKOK, June 14, 2017 (APcom Press release) – Reducing rising rates of HIV transmission among Asian gay men through the innovative use of digital communications is the focus of a special event which opened today in Bangkok. Connecting Asia is a three-day regional consultation – the first event of its kind in Asia – that […]

13 Jun, 2017

U.S. Extremist Anti-Islam Rallies a ‘Bust,’ Counter-Protests Far Overshadowed Hate Marches

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WASHINGTON, June 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said anti-Islam rallies held around the country on Saturday were a “bust” and were far overshadowed by counter-demonstrators who outnumbered the Islamophobes and their white supremacist and anti-government allies almost 10-to-1. SEE: NY Anti-Sharia […]

13 Jun, 2017

EXPO-2017 Exhibition Opens in Astana

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The EXPO-2017 International Specialized Exhibition dedicated to Future Energy opened in Astana with a magnificent light and multimedia show. “This is a new achievement in the promotion of our country and Kazakhstan’s national brand in the international arena. As we have selected Future Energy as the theme of […]

12 Jun, 2017

Holy month of Ramzan makes the Hindu-Muslim bond stronger in Old Delhi – Hindustan Times

For members of the Muslim community, the holy month of Ramzan involves fasting, devotion and charity. In Old Delhi, the month holds significance for its Hindu brethren, too. In a show of solidarity, many are choosing to not eat anything for the whole day. Mohd. Shaan, owner of Kallan Sweet Shop in Old Delhi, tells […]

10 Jun, 2017

Number of Potential Migrants Worldwide Tops 700 Million – Gallup Polls

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 8 June 2017 (Gallup Polls) — After cooling off in the wake of the Great Recession, worldwide, people’s desire to migrate permanently to another country showed signs of rebounding between 2013 and 2016. Gallup found 14% of the world’s adults — which translates to nearly 710 million people — saying they would like […]

6 Jun, 2017

Will the U.S. Neocons’ Long War Ever End? by Nicolas J S Davies

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America’s Long War or Global War on Terror has taken some ugly turns as the West’s continued war-making in the Muslim world leads to new terrorism against Western targets, with no end in sight, explains Nicolas J S Davies. Source: www.tikkun.org/nextgen/will-the-neo-cons-long-war-ever-end June 5, 2017 – The recent news from Kabul (in Afghanistan), from Manchester and […]

27 May, 2017

European Commission simplifies rules for public investment in ports, airports, culture and the outermost regions

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Brussels, 17 May 2017, European Commission – Press release – The European Commission has approved today new state aid rules that exempt certain public support measures for ports, airports, culture and the outermost regions from prior Commission scrutiny. The objective is to facilitate public investment for job creation and growth whilst preserving competition. Commissioner Margrethe […]

27 May, 2017

Report: More European sites meet excellent bathing water quality standards than ever before

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Brussels, 23 May 2017, European Commission – Press release – More than 85% of bathing water sites monitored across Europe in 2016 met the most stringent ‘excellent’ quality standards — meaning they were mostly free from pollutants harmful to human health and the environment, according to the annual bathing water quality report published today. Over […]

21 May, 2017

Chinese visitors flock to Philippines after bilateral ties are reset

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Beijing (People’s Daily Online)  May 19, 2017 – The number of Chinese people applying for visas to travel to the Philippine recently shot up by 200 percent, as the Chinese government canceled all travel alerts for citizens going to the country, according to Philippine news site Inquirer.net on May 18. With a booming tourism industry […]

21 May, 2017

China tourism investment to top 1.5 trillion yuan in 2017

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BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — China’s tourism investment is expected to maintain rapid growth in 2017 as ongoing consumption upgrades will keep the sector on the fast track. The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Friday said tourism will remain a magnet for private capital, predicting direct investment will jump more than 20 percent from last […]

21 May, 2017

U.S. Families Will Spend Average of 1/3rd of Their Summer Staring at a Screen

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CHICAGO-May 18, 2017 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–With warmer weather finally arriving in most parts of the country and the school year winding down to a close, Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) (www.groupon.com) asked 1,000 U.S. parents how much time their families plan to spend on their electronic devices this summer––and the results were staggering. The average American family will […]

20 May, 2017

Amid ‘alarming rise’ in obesity, UN study finds one in three European adolescents overweight

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 17 May 2017 – Citing eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, the United Nations health agency launched a new publication today at the European Congress on Obesity in Portugal which revealed a rising number of obese adolescents in many countries across Europe. “Despite sustained efforts to tackle childhood obesity, […]

20 May, 2017

Big data can have a ‘big impact’ on achievement of Global Goals, UN says on IT Day

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 17 May 2017 – Mastering and measuring ‘big data’ – to map poverty from space or use mobile phones to track food security – could boost evidence-based decision-making at local and global levels and drive the implementation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations telecommunications agency said […]

20 May, 2017

Societal Impact of Pain Costs the EU up to 441 Billion Euros Annually

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BRUSSELS & VALETTA, Malta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 19, 2017  – Pain causes a problem for individuals as well as a challenge for healthcare systems, economies and society: each year, approximately one in five Europeans or 20 percent of the adult population in Europe are affected by chronic pain. This includes 153 million people suffering migraine or other […]

20 May, 2017

“The Olive Tree”: New Publication launched to help Travel & Tourism meet UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Colombo — A pioneering publication designed to help the travel & tourism industry put its shoulder to the wheel of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been launched at the PATA Annual Summit here in the Sri Lankan capital this week. Although discussion of the SDGs is taking up a lot of time and […]

18 May, 2017

Global Trade Unions Call for G20 Commitment to Fair Globalisation

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Brussels, 17 May 2017 (INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION OnLine): The G20 Summit in July must finally agree on conditions for fair globalisation, according to the international trade union movement. This was the central message in the statement of Labour-20 trade union centres handed to German Chancellor and G20 President Angela Merkel at a meeting in […]

17 May, 2017

International Poll by World Union Body Shows Global Governance Failure on Jobs

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Brussels, 15 May 2017 (ITUC OnLine): The annual global poll commissioned by the 181 million-member International Trade Union Confederation shows that globalisation is failing people. The poll shows that 73 percent of people are worried about losing their jobs and 80 percent say the minimum wage is not enough to live on. Half the population […]

15 May, 2017

FREE Download: UN report assesses ‘huge benefits’ and challenges of green energy revolution

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 12 May 2017 – The latest United Nations report on energy-efficiency technologies shows that low-carbon technologies apparently aid clean air, save water and cut land use, and could reduce 25 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 17 million tonnes of particulates a year. “We are on the right track. […]

15 May, 2017

Taiwan’s Startup Wogogo Launches Tour Guide Platform

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TAIPEI, Taiwan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 12, 2017 – Taiwanese travel startup Wogogo has recently launched a tour guide platform, aiming to coordinate with local tourist guides to develop tours for travelers and serving them in a nice and simple way with exclusive and professional experiences, the company said on 12 May. Wogogo COO Muse Fang said the […]

12 May, 2017

European Union Ready to Build Cooperative New World Order, Its Top Diplomat Tells UN Security Council

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United Nations, (UN meetings coverage record) 09 May 2017 – Describing the European Union as an indispensable partner of the United Nations, the bloc’s senior-most diplomat told the Security Council today that it was ready to move beyond the current international uncertainty and join the Organization in building a more cooperative world order. “The European […]

12 May, 2017

Volvo Group Innovation Summit May 16 to Focus on Transport in Smart Cities of the Future

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GÖTEBORG, Sweden, May 9, 2017, (PRNewswire) – With a focus on ‘Smart cities – infrastructure and transport of the future’, Volvo Group will host its inaugural Innovation Summit in London on May 16, 2017. Moderated by Richard Westcott, the BBC’s transport correspondent, the event will gather leading people from government, major transport systems, industry bodies […]

12 May, 2017

Sixth UNWTO Int’l Conference on Tourism Statistics in Manila, June 21-24

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Madrid, 11 May 2017 (UNWTO media release) — On the occasion of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, the Government of the Philippines and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are organizing the 6th International Conference on Tourism Statistics to be held in Manila from 21 to 24 June 2017 with the primary […]

11 May, 2017

Time for a new tourism roadmap: Imtiaz Muqbil to speak on ASEAN, Islamic Tourism and Sustainability topics

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Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, will be speaking on a diverse range of subjects at a number of regional travel industry events in May and June. Travel & tourism is entering a new era. The “operating environment” is no longer the same as it was at the turn of the millennium. Clearly, […]

10 May, 2017

As World Economic Forum meets in Cambodia, ASEAN MPs say human rights as important as economic growth

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PHNOM PENH, 10 May 2017 (Press Release from ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights) – As senior decision-makers and stakeholders from the economic sector gather in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN starting today, regional parliamentarians urged participants, as well as all Southeast Asian leaders, to ensure that human rights concerns are […]

10 May, 2017

Travel website shows Muslims dumping U.S. for Asia, Europe, Africa

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By Irfan Ahmed, CEO & Editor in Chief, Irhal Inc. [Irhal is an Arabic/English travel website and app aimed at the world’s 100 million Muslim travelers. It has 90+ city guides with information on tourist attractions, shopping and hotels. It also lists Halal restaurants, mosque locations and prayer timings for each city. 85% of Irhal’s […]

10 May, 2017

FREE Download: New CAIR Report Shows 57% Spike in Anti-Muslim Incidents in U.S.

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/9/2017) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which claims to be the U.S.’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a report showing a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016 over the previous year. This spike in anti-Muslim incidents was accompanied by a 44 percent increase in anti-Muslim […]

10 May, 2017

Australia unveils $20 billion investment in nationwide rail upgrade

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Canberra, 09 May 2017 – Joint release by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport and the Minister for Urban Infrastructure — The Turnbull-Joyce Government is delivering a $20 billion investment in rail that will cut congestion in cities, grow the regions and create thousands of new jobs. This long-term investment in passenger and freight rail will […]

9 May, 2017

‘Save Lives: Slow Down’: UN health agency launches Global Road Safety Week

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 May 2017 – Spotlighting the relationship between speeding and traffic fatalities – speeding contributes to one in three traffic deaths – the UN health agency, ahead of Global Road Safety Week, is urging countries to take measures to curb dangerous driving behaviour. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), […]

9 May, 2017

Time to find ‘magic formula’ for peaceful coexistence, says UNESCO chief

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 May 2017 – It is time to find that “magic formula” that will encourage people to live together in peace, the head of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) urged earlier today at the end of a UN-backed conference on intercultural dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan. In […]

9 May, 2017

Worsening food insecurity forcing more people to migrate, finds new UN report

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 May 2017 – Highlighting the complex link between food insecurity and migration – where increase in one forces the other to rise and then spirals back to push the former even higher – the United Nations food relief agency has urged greater investments in food security and livelihoods at […]

24 Apr, 2017

Global Coral Reef Experts Launch Major Restoration Efforts in the Caribbean

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San Francisco, 13 April 2017, (Business Wire) – A powerhouse group of scientists and conservationists are joining forces to tackle the unprecedented decline of coral reefs worldwide. The California Academy of Sciences, SECORE International, and The Nature Conservancy are sealing their commitment to help rehabilitate coral reefs and preserve them for future generations by spearheading […]

20 Apr, 2017

Australian critical infrastructure organisations targeted by cybercriminals hundreds of times each day – Survey

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Canberra, (19 April 2017), Joint media release by the Attorney-General, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator George Brandis QC,  Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Dan Tehan MP — The Government has today released a comprehensive cyber security survey, published by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, of Australian government and major […]

20 Apr, 2017

CAIR-NY Condemns Racially, Religiously Motivated Attack on Sikh Man in New York

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NEW YORK, NY, 4/18/17 (CAIR media release) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the attack on a Sikh man in the Bronx as a suspected hate crime. According to police, Harkirat Singh, a 25-year-old Sikh man and taxi driver, […]

12 Apr, 2017

Meet Zia Hussain, the stranded Fulbright scholar barred from re-entering US – DAWN.COM

Syed Zia Hussain Shah, a 25-year-old graduate of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a Fulbright scholar, was on his way back from a winter break to continue his post-graduate studies at the University of Chicago when he was stopped from boarding a plane to the US. “When they checked my ticket at […]

12 Apr, 2017

Applications open for Transparency Summer School on Integrity 2017, scholarships available

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Calling all university students, graduates and young professionals under the age of 35 who are eager to learn how to make a stand against corruption: apply now for the Transparency School on Integrity (TISI) 2017, taking place during 10-16 July, 2017 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Since 2010, the School on Integrity has welcomed over 700 students, […]

12 Apr, 2017

Aerial surveys help combat coral bleaching at Great Barrier Reef

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Canberra, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority media release, 10/04/2017 – Results from recent aerial surveys of the Great Barrier Reef will be used to target recovery efforts in those areas worst affected by this year’s coral bleaching event, as well as boost the resilience of those parts that remain largely unscathed. Great Barrier Reef […]

12 Apr, 2017

“Trust & Transparency” theme of Australian Privacy Awareness Week, 15-19 May

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Canberra, 10 April 2017, (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner) – With privacy attracting a record level of attention from Australian consumers and communities, Australian Information and Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has today previewed key events of this year’s Privacy Awareness Week (15 to 19 May 2017). ‘Australians are more conscious of personal data issues […]

9 Apr, 2017

Mini Symposium on Islamic Tourism to be held in KL 13-14 April

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Kuala Lumpur (ITC media release) — Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), under the purview of Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia is organising its first Mini Symposium on Islamic Tourism 2017. The symposium will take place from 13 to 14 April 2017 with eight (8) confirmed paper presenters of Islamic tourism from Masters and Ph.D researchers […]

9 Apr, 2017

Misleading travel booking websites a growing problem in Europe

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Brussels, 7 April 2017, European Commission Press release — The European Commission and EU consumer protection authorities launched a coordinated screening of 352 price comparison and travel booking websites across the EU in October 2016. They found that prices were not reliable on 235 websites, two thirds of the sites checked. For example, additional price […]

3 Apr, 2017

ASEAN to recognise biodiversity heroes

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JAKARTA, 27 March 2017 (ASEAN secretariat media release) – What is biodiversity? Ask people what they think it means, and chances are only a few can accurately define it. Fewer still can explain its significance to human survival. The immense communication gap between the biodiversity conservation community and the general public is a major factor […]

3 Apr, 2017

China launches Integrated work permit to attract talent, make it easier for foreigners to work

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Beijing, April 02, 2017,  (CRI Online)  – Foreigners who want to work in China now only need to apply for one work permit, as of April 1. The new system unifies the two work permits required before into just one, and took effect across China on Saturday after a six-month pilot scheme in a number […]

3 Apr, 2017

Australia nabs child offender, 68, as part of efforts to stop them going abroad

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Canberra, 31 March 2017 (Joint media release by the Minister for Justice, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter Terrorism, and Minister for Foreign Affairs) — Officers from the Australian Federal Police and Victorian Joint Anti-Child-Exploitation Team (JACET) today arrested a 68-year-old man who was allegedly planning to travel overseas with the intention of sexually […]

3 Apr, 2017

Reality check: Chinese visitors spend more than any other country in U.S.

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Beijing, 01 April 2017, (People’s Daily Online commentary) – Recently, China-U.S. relations have attracted global attention. While some find endless faults with the trade relationship with China and blame China for America’s decline, we shouldn’t overlook the numerous positive aspects of the bilateral relationship, which overall outweigh the disadvantages.   One way to explain this […]

3 Apr, 2017

Improper disclosure hits Citibank Australia with $5 million refund in credit card int’l transaction fees

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Canberra, 31 March 2017 – (Australian Securities and Investments Commission media release) — Citigroup Pty Limited (Citibank) has refunded approximately $5 million to around 230,000 customers, for failing to properly disclose that credit card international transaction fees apply to Australian dollar transactions where the merchant uses an entity based overseas to process its transactions. In […]

3 Apr, 2017

Chinese-made passenger jet ready for maiden flight, will compete with A320 and Boeing 737

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SHANGHAI, 25 March 2017, (Xinhua) — China’s first large domestically designed and built passenger jetliner has passed a major technical assessment, bringing it a closer to its maiden flight, sources with the developer said Saturday. An evaluation committee consisting 63 aviation specialists from across China has agreed the C919 is technically ready for its maiden […]

24 Mar, 2017

High ratings for first resinar “ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years”

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Bangkok – The first resinar (newly-coined shorthand for ‘research’ and ‘seminar’) organised in Bangkok on “ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years” has been warmly applauded by many of the participants. Fifteen participants attended the March 17 resinar at the PATA Engagement Hub, designed to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN by providing the […]

20 Mar, 2017

Astana to host First Summit on Islamic Science & Technology

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 March 2017 (21 Jumaada al-Akhir 1438). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ THIS SPACE OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIP Islamic Travel Newswire, an influential and widely-read weekly compilation of […]

16 Mar, 2017

Trump’s rump gets kicked again: Hawaii judge blocks Muslim Ban V.2

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A federal judge in Hawaii on Wednesday (15 March) halted President Donald Trump’s new travel ban that was supposed to take effect at midnight – one of a series of blows against the administration’s order since January. The order would temporarily bar refugees and people from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. Trump blasted the ruling during […]

10 Mar, 2017

OIC Secretary-General: Islamophobia is gradually becoming institutionalized

Geneva, 01 March 2013, (OIC) – The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen has expressed his serious concern that Islamophobia, an affront to human rights and dignity of Muslims, is gradually becoming institutionalized. Al-Othaimeen who sounded the warning in a remark at the High Level Segment of the 34th […]

10 Mar, 2017

ForwardKeys shared damaging travel data with White House prior to Travel Ban II

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LONDON, (Tarsh Consulting media release) 6 March 2017 – ForwardKeys, which monitors future travel patterns by analysing 16 million flight reservation transactions each day shared its latest analysis of the negative impacts of the travel ban on the US travel industry with the White House prior to the new ban coming in to force. The […]

10 Mar, 2017

Travel Ban II Poses Less Uncertainty for Global Biz Travellers, But Could Be PR Challenge For US Travel Biz

7 March (ACTE News release) — The global membership of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives regards the second version of a US travel ban as less threatening, yet the order, signed into effect on Monday, March 6, 2017, may still be a public relations misstep for the United States travel industry. According to a […]

1 Mar, 2017

ASEAN Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years

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Bangkok – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is marking the 50th anniversary of its founding this year with another tourism marketing campaign under the slogan VisitASEAN@50. The ASEAN tourism industry, one of the greatest success stories of the global economy, has played a major role in helping the 10 member grouping create jobs […]

28 Feb, 2017

U.S. Children’s Museums Start 90-Day Campaign to Celebrate Role in Welcoming Immigrants, Refugees

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ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) has launched a new campaign—90 Days of Action—to showcase the important role children’s museums play in welcoming immigrant and refugee children and families to their communities. The campaign includes a variety of elements including a social media push, a survey of its members to learn more about […]

25 Feb, 2017

Sonu Shivdasani, Founder, CEO and Chairman, Soneva

ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame – Initiated by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to recognise the many veterans who helped grow and shape ASEAN tourism over the last 50 years.

  Date and Place of birth: 23rd November 1965, London Marital and family status: Married to Eva Malmström Shivdasani Education: Eton College, followed by Le Rosey in Switzerland, Masters Degree, Oxford University in English Literature, 1993 Career: After graduation, spent two years with the family business set up by his father in in finance, trade […]

24 Feb, 2017

Indian techie shot dead in US, shooter yells ‘get out of my country’

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Houston/Washington, Feb 24 (Press Trust of India) An Indian engineer was killed and two others were injured after an American navy veteran yelling “terrorist” and “get out of my country” opened fire on them in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent racially motivated hate crime, police said today. Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working […]

24 Feb, 2017

Ethisphere’s Global Ethics Summit To Take Stock of Corporate Culture

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New York, NY (PRWEB) February 23, 2017 – The Ethisphere Institute, established to define and advance the standards of ethical business practices, is set to host the 9th Annual Global Ethics Summit when over 200 different companies and organizations will descend upon midtown New York City, March 15-16. A Summit where over half the delegation […]

24 Feb, 2017

World of Hyatt Welcomes New Era with “For a World of Understanding”

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CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 23, 2017 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the launch of World of Hyatt, Hyatt’s new global platform grounded in the simple idea that a little understanding goes a long way. This reflects Hyatt’s purpose and reaffirms its commitment to building genuine and trusted experiences and engaging its community of loyalists […]

22 Feb, 2017

Increase in arms transfers driven by demand in Middle East and Asia, says SIPRI

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Stockholm, 20 February 2017, (SIPRI media release) – The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and increased by 8.4 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16, according to new data on arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Notably, transfers of major weapons in 2012–16 […]

22 Feb, 2017

Call for Entries: 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

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BANGKOK, 20 Feb 2017 (UNESCO media release) – Submissions are now being accepted for the 2017 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Awards recognize the efforts of private individuals and organizations that have successfully restored or conserved structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region. The Awards emphasize the importance of […]

15 Feb, 2017

Organizations Wasting Billions on Outdated Customer Loyalty Programs – Accenture Strategy Study

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 14, 2017 – Organizations are wasting billions of dollars each year on customer loyalty programs that don’t work like they used to, according to new research from Accenture Strategy. With millions of loyalty points sitting dormant and the majority of U.S. consumers (78 percent) retracting loyalty at profit-crushing rates, organizations must pay […]

6 Feb, 2017

Trump-ing the Odds

By Punam Mohandas

By Punam Mohandas Bangkok – Donald Trump has been hogging all the headlines recently. As it should be too – after all, one of the super powers of the world has a new leader. However, Trump is less in the news for his leadership skills than for the fact that, hands-down, he appears to be […]

3 Feb, 2017

Strategy Analytics: Global Smartphone Shipments Hit Record 1.5 billion Units in 2016

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BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 31, 2017 – According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 3 percent annually to hit a record 1.5 billion units in 2016. Apple iPhone recaptured first position with 18 percent global smartphone marketshare in Q4 2016, while OPPO grew 99 percent annually and was the star performer. Linda […]

3 Feb, 2017

PageFair Reports 615 Million Devices around the World Block Ads

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DUBLIN, 31 January 2017, (Business Wire) – A new PageFair report estimates that 615 million devices are now blocking ads. This represents year-over-year global growth of 30%. Mobile adblock usage grew by 108 million, reaching a total of 380 million active devices. Despite ever smaller numbers of people using desktop and laptop computers, adblock usage […]

2 Feb, 2017

US travel ban “breaches Washington’s human rights obligations” – UN experts

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GENEVA (1 February 2017) (UN Office of the High Commissioner, UN Human Rights) – A group of United Nations human rights experts today said that the Executive Order signed by US President Donald Trump on 27 January 2017 breaches the country’s international human rights obligations, which protect the principles of non-refoulement and non-discrimination based on […]

2 Feb, 2017

Muslim ban “endangers the recent solid growth of the U.S. exhibition industry” – UFI

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Paris, 1 February 2017 – U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued an order to temporarily ban visitors from seven countries from entering the United States. On this matter UFI, as the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry, states: Latest UFI research shows that more than half of the companies in the US exhibition industry […]

2 Feb, 2017

UN Chief Guterres to US: Avoid “Measures that Spread Anxiety and Anger”

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 1 February 2017 – Reacting to the recent suspension by the United States of its longstanding refugee programme, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today said resettlement is often “the only possible solution” for people fleeing conflict and persecution, and that the US policy, which bars entry of Syrians into the […]

2 Feb, 2017

Transport Workers Federation condemns “escalation of the US government against immigrants”

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01/02/2017 (ITF media release) – Commenting on President Trump’s travel ban ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) president Paddy Crumlin stated: “The 2016 national election in the US featured a heavy focus on immigration. President Donald Trump’s post-election actions have signalled that this will continue. The latest attack on immigrants has targeted the nationals of seven […]

31 Jan, 2017

Govts must build bridges, not walls: UNWTO, PATA join chorus of denunciations of Trump’s Muslim-ban

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The UN World Tourism Organisation and the Pacific Asia Travel Association both joined the global chorus of condemnations and criticism of US President Donald Trump’s Muslim-ban. Here are full texts of both statements: UNWTO Statement on US Travel Ban Madrid, 31 Jan 2017 – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Specialized Agency for […]

25 Jan, 2017

Trump set to sign “Muslim ban” orders

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Bangkok – Jewish and Muslim activist groups are set to come out strongly against what the Jewish Voice for Peace calls “a package of Executive Orders targeting Muslims, Arab, refugees and immigrants, making national policy of his racist, Islamophobic campaign rhetoric.” Read the following announcements by JVP and the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): Message […]

23 Jan, 2017

Arabian Travel Mart launches 2017 exhibitor awards 

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Dubai, 18 January 2017, (ATM Press Release) – Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017 exhibitors will be pulling out all the stops to showcase their creative and business flair at this year’s event as organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, reprises its popular Best Stand Awards initiative for a third year running. Launched in 2015, the awards recognise […]

23 Jan, 2017

2017 Metro Manila Tourism Forum to be held Feb 9-10

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Manila — The 2017 Metro Manila Tourism Forum will be held on February 09-10, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Quezon City. This year, it commemorates the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in celebrating 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. As such, the theme will be “ASEAN: Enhancing City Tourism […]

18 Jan, 2017

Emirates introduces sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles

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Dubai, UAE, 17 January 2017 – Emirates has introduced new sustainable blankets made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The soft and warm blankets are made using ecoTHREAD™ patented technology and is now available in Economy Class on all long-haul Emirates flights. Each Emirates ecoTHREAD™ blanket is made from 28 recycled plastic bottles. With the latest […]

13 Jan, 2017

South Africa president tells people not to visit Israel

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Johannesburg (IINA), 09 Jan 2017 – South African President Jacob Zuma has urged his people not to visit Israel unless it is related to “fostering peace” in the region, Anadolu Agency reported. Addressing thousands of supporters during the 105th birth anniversary of his ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the capital Johannesburg on Sunday, Zuma […]

13 Jan, 2017

UK: Israel funding spin trips as it smears critics – Al Jazeera

Israel is attempting to smear activists who question the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by helping to build racism cases against them, an investigation by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit reveals. The investigation, The Lobby, also uncovers Israel’s extensive, well-financed propaganda campaign in the UK to counter negative news stories about its policies and to fund […]

7 Jan, 2017

Jose Aspiras, Secretary/Minister of Tourism, the Philippines

ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame – Initiated by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to recognise the many veterans who helped grow and shape ASEAN tourism over the last 50 years.

  Date of Birth: 1924. Place of Birth NA. Marital status – Married with six children Education: NA Career Journalist, News Reporter and Columnist for the Star Reporter and the Evening News; United Nations War Correspondent in Korea; Jailed for refusing to divulge his sources of informations but subsequently acquitted by a unanimous decision of […]

7 Jan, 2017

Sumate Sudasna, Managing Director, Conference & Destination Management

ASEAN Travel & Tourism Hall of Fame – Initiated by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to recognise the many veterans who helped grow and shape ASEAN tourism over the last 50 years.

  Date & Place of Birth: 2 April 1952, Bangkok Marital Status: Married with two children and one grandchild Education: Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok, 1969 Studied Industrial Design at University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1972-73 Career 1972-1977: Dusit Thani Hotel, Front Office 1977-1978: Asian Tours Centre, tour guide 1978-1981: Dusit Thani Hotel, Front office manager […]

6 Jan, 2017

Indonesia suspends military training programme with Australia over insult to Pancasila

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5 January 2017 Jakarta (ANTARA News) – A language training program with the Australian Defense Force (ADF) has been suspended over insults to Indonesia’s Pancasila ideology, Indonesian Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo has affirmed. “The military cooperation between the two countries was suspended as an Australian military education curriculum was found making fun of Indonesia’s […]

5 Jan, 2017

Panasonic Demonstrates “Companion” Robot at CES 2017

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LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 04, 2017 – Panasonic Corporation of North America announced it has developed a “companion” robot with human-like movements and communication skills. The robot, developed as a proof of concept, debuts at the Panasonic booth (#12908) at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. “This test project builds on Panasonic’s innovations in robotics including battery […]

5 Jan, 2017

Israeli hysteria is solidifying country’s new status, as a rogue state – Philip Weiss, Mondoweiss

President Obama’s decision to allow passage of a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements as illegal has done more to change the shape of the conflict than any other action in the last ten years, even than Israel’s massacres in Gaza. He has nudged Israel, and the media, toward recognition of the country’s new […]

5 Jan, 2017

Man cuts out alcohol and coffee for two years and this is what happened | The Independent

Thousands of people are three days into a Dry January, the tedious annual ritual of skipping all alcoholic drinks for 30 days. But what happens if you manage to nail Dry January, then decide to keep going – for another two years? A New York designer did just that, and the results were genuinely surprising. […]

4 Jan, 2017

Kerala tourism lost revenue of Rs 1,000 crore since Nov 8: Tourism minister

Kerala’s tourism sector has registered an estimated loss of about Rs 1,000 crore, following a dip in the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists since the Centre announced demonetisation of high-value currencies, the state government said on Tuesday. The cash crunch has severely affected the sector and the loss was estimated to be about Rs […]

4 Jan, 2017

Shiv Visvanathan on the coming of the post-truth society – The Hindu

The idea of democracy is in a state of flux. An ordinary citizen doesn’t know how to read the events that unfold around him. He knows that democracy is a relationship between knowledge and power. But what does he do when the power of truth confronts the truth of power? He often confuses the two, […]

4 Jan, 2017

Why India, and the world, should beware of digital dictatorship – Vandana Shiva

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Two sets of means come together in what is now declared the real reason for demonetisation — the digital economy. Money making and tools for money making have become the new religion and the government policy has been reduced to the facilitation of the imposition of the digital empires of the new moghuls. Why else […]

4 Jan, 2017

Israeli bulldozers demolish Bedouin dwellings, displace scores of people

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JERUSALEM, January 2, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli bulldozers demolished on Monday 10 dwellings inhabited by Bedouins in Khan al-Ahmar area east of Jerusalem under the pretext they were built without permit, according to residents. Adel Jahaleen told WAFA that the Israeli bulldozers destroyed three of the dwellings he used for his family as well as […]

29 Dec, 2016

Israel’s Settlements Have No Legal Validity, Constitute Flagrant Violation of International Law, Security Council Reaffirms

Source: United Nations website

United Nations, 23 December 2016, The Security Council reaffirmed this afternoon that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized […]

29 Dec, 2016

Full Text: On-The-Record Press Call with U.S. State Dept officials on UN Security Council Resolution 2334

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, website

December 23, 2016 – On-The-Record Press Call by Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications; Rob Malley, White House Coordinator for Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, And Frank Lowenstein, Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations at the State Department, on the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) on Israeli Settlement Activity Via […]

29 Dec, 2016

China plans ‘toilet revolution’ to boost tourism

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Beijing, 2016-12-28 Agncies / Chinadaily.com – China said it will boost investment in tourism, with plans to develop rustbelt regions and upgrade public toilets high on its to-do list as it looks to lift the sector’s contribution to economic growth. Announcing a new plan for the sector, China said it aims to invest 2 trillion […]

21 Dec, 2016

“We can expert more hell on earth under Trump” — PressTV analyst

US neoconservatives who facilitated the September 11, 2001 terror attacks to launch war in the Middle East are now supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of CEO Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, an American scholar says. “Trump, once again, is surrounding himself with 9/11 criminals; virtually all of his important foreign policy appointments are part of […]

21 Dec, 2016

UN Human Rights Chief blasts Myanmar’s “callous” approach to northern Rakhine

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GENEVA (16 December 2016) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today warned the Government of Myanmar that its “short-sighted, counterproductive, even callous” approach to handling the crisis in northern Rakhine – including its failure to allow independent monitors access to the worst affected areas – could have grave long-term repercussions […]

21 Dec, 2016

Final Report on Palestinian Question Holds ‘No Sense of Optimism’, Says ‘Saddened’ UN Chief in Security Council Briefing

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United Nations, 16 December 2016, (UN Meetings Coverage Release) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this morning that today he was saddened that his final briefing to the Security Council on the question of Palestine brought no sense of optimism for the future. Delivering his last report on the situation in the Middle East, including the […]