Author Archive
19 Aug, 2015
South Korea to lure tourists with tax breaks on breast augmentation
SEOUL, BLOOMBERG, AUG 18, 2015 – South Korea is taking duty-free shopping to a whole new level, with plans to exclude face lifts, breast enlargements and liposuction from value-added tax for tourists. Desperate to boost tourism after an outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus hurt the economy, the country will give tourists […]
more…19 Aug, 2015
TAT: No Cutbacks in Global Marketing Campaigns
Bangkok – Adopting a strong lead-from-the-front policy position, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is to maintain all its global marketing and promotion campaigns as normal, the TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications Mr. Sugree Sithivanich has confirmed. The decision to stay the course, one of the key elements of Thailand’s crisis-management plan, is designed to […]
more…18 Aug, 2015
Paris deluxe hotels counting the cost of the Airbnb revolution – The Independent
Well-to-do holidaymakers are streaming out of Paris’s grandest suites and in to luxury flats: or so say France’s oldest and most prestigious hoteliers. They have declared war on Airbnb for taking their customers in the world’s most visited city and say the flat-sharing site is not playing by the same rules. “It’s an unfair competition,” […]
more…18 Aug, 2015
Thai tourism industry again in crisis-management mode following Bangkok bomb attack
Bangkok – The Thai tourism industry was again in crisis mode on August 18 in the wake of a bomb blast at a downtown spiritual shrine popular with tourists. Heavy-duty meetings were under way nationwide between the public and private sectors on how to handle the aftermath of the blast which security authorities have publicly […]
more…17 Aug, 2015
Orlando Airport To Open $250,000 Muslim Prayer Room
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 17 August 2015 (02 Dhul Qa’dah 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…17 Aug, 2015
Now Everyone Can Buy: Thailand’s Best Brands-free SME “Mega-mall” in Pictures
Babgkok – The Thai tourism industry is striving to position Thailand as a value-for-money Quality Destination and boost shopping as a means of raising national incomes, promoting a more fair and balanced distribution of economic progress and creating jobs. However, one major opportunity to meet that objective does not get its fair share of promotion […]
more…15 Aug, 2015
Airbnb Horror Story Points to Need for Precautions – The New York Times
Early in the evening of July 4, Micaela Giles’s mobile phone started sounding alerts, and a series of messages straight out of a horror movie began scrolling down her screen. Her 19-year-old son told her that his Airbnb host in Madrid had locked him in the fourth-floor apartment where he was supposed to be staying […]
more…15 Aug, 2015
Indian rapper ‘overwhelmed’ by success of protest song against Unilever – The Guardian
A rapper whose protest song about corporate pollution in an idyllic hill town in southern India has dragged the issue into the spotlight says she is totally overwhelmed by its phenomenal success, which has prompted a personal response from the CEO of Unilever. Sofia Ashraf’s skit Kodaikanal Won’t – named after a tourist resort in […]
more…14 Aug, 2015
Israel’s new face of Jewish extremism is a 20-year-old mother – The Independent
Aviya Morris is the fresh new face of Jewish extremism. A soft-spoken young mother who wants to see the Muslim walls tumble down and a new Israel rise. This is her dream. She admits that it could “lead to world war”. That would be the fault of Arabs and the international community, she says. Ms […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
Why We’re Sick and Tired of Wellness | Alternet
By Kali Holloway / AlterNet August 11, 2015 In big-picture terms, wellness sounds like a pretty good idea right about now. Around the world, obesity rates are climbing (astoundingly, the planet’s “1.6 billion overweight and obese now outnumber the malnourished by nearly 2-to-1”). Noncommunicable illnesses such as heart attack and diabetes have supplanted starvation and […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
U.S. Congress and Its Leaders Suffer Continued Low Level of Public Approval – Gallup Polls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Now on August recess, members of Congress returning to their districts may receive a skeptical reception from constituents, as 14% of U.S. adults approve of the job Congress is doing, down slightly from 17% in July. These results come from a Gallup poll conducted Aug. 5-9. Congressional leaders can point to a […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
Israeli arms exports under scrutiny for ‘helping to fuel conflict in South Sudan’ – The Independent
For years there have been persistent reports of Israel selling arms to regimes with records of egregious human rights abuses without the issue being discussed or questioned at home. But that is changing. Eitay Mack, a young lawyer, is trying to break through the wall of secrecy around Israeli weapons exports and is pressing for […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
As Barcelona has found, it’s possible for a city to have too many tourists – The Independent
Can tourism be too much of a good thing? When all the undoubted benefits are outweighed by the sheer aggravation, when numbers and money, the measurable things, are eclipsed by less quantifiable downsides, such as congestion, jobs that remain low-paid and insecure, and a deterioration in life quality for permanent residents? One European city thinks […]
more…12 Aug, 2015
Saudi tourists advised to exercise caution, set good example | Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi nationals on vacation during summer or intending to spend a few days away from home, either in other Gulf countries or European nations have been advised to exercise caution and know the culture and basic rules of those countries. Local tourism industry player Bandar bin Khalid Al-Hokair said Saudi nationals should preserve the […]
more…12 Aug, 2015
Australia needs to figure out its own place in Asia | The Jakarta Post
Australia is struggling with existential uncertainty. Is it part of Asia? Does it want to become part of Asia? Its economic future and hence prosperity, is increasingly tied to Asia. China is by far its largest trading partner and Australia is also trading more and more with its Asian neighbors. But that is probably as […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Saudi Arabia may go broke before the US oil industry buckles – Sydney Morning Herald
If the oil futures market is correct, Saudi Arabia will start running into trouble within two years. It will be in existential crisis by the end of the decade. The contract price of US crude oil for delivery in December 2020 is currently $US62.05, implying a drastic change in the economic landscape for the Middle […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Rogue drones a growing nuisance across the U.S. – The Washington Post
By Craig Whitlock Rogue drone operators are rapidly becoming a national nuisance, invading sensitive airspace and private property — with the regulators of the nation’s skies largely powerless to stop them. In recent days, drones have smuggled drugs into an Ohio prison, smashed against a Cincinnati skyscraper, impeded efforts to fight wildfires in California and […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Why Mysore (Mysuru) topping India’s clean city rating is no surprise | The Indian Express
The emergence of the heritage city of Mysuru as the cleanest city in the country in the pre-Swacch Bharat rankings released last week is testimony to the importance of imbibing a culture of cleanliness over decades and generations. The number one rank for Mysore among 476 evaluated cities in India comes as no great surprise […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Global Caucus of The People Travel & Tourism Loves to Hate
Manila — About 150 leading global NGO activists and social movement leaders will meet in Quezon City, the Philippines, between August 13-14 to discuss the downsides of Asia’s growth paradigm and chart strategies to help alternative perspectives get more traction in the mainstream development agenda. Under the theme “Whose New Asia?”, the International Conference on […]
more…10 Aug, 2015
Lotfollah Mosque of Isfahan tops list of world’s most beautiful mosques
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 10 August 2015 (25 Shawwal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS 2015 […]
more…9 Aug, 2015
US teens start school too early, need more sleep: study
Most teenagers in the United States start the school day too early each morning, robbing them of the sleep they need to concentrate properly and remain healthy, according to a study published Thursday. Fewer than one in five middle and high schools in the United States start at 8:30 am or later, as recommended, according […]
more…9 Aug, 2015
UK airport VAT scam: Retailers pocketing millions from duty-free discounts – The Independent
Some of Britain’s top retailers are facing calls to be more honest with airport customers as they pocket millions of pounds in VAT discounts on duty free items without passing on the savings. Many stores in airports across the UK now demand that passengers present their boarding cards at checkouts before paying for any goods. […]
more…7 Aug, 2015
Elderly make up 80% of Japanese fraud victims, police say
Tokyo, Kyodo, Aug 6, 2015 – Elderly people accounted for nearly 80 percent of all victims of confirmed fraud cases in the first half of 2015, according to provisional data released by the National Police Agency. “Special fraud” cases, including swindling the elderly by impersonating their children over the phone and asking for urgent money […]
more…7 Aug, 2015
Averting déjà vu: Why the travel & tourism industry should back Obama on the Iran nuclear deal
Bangkok – President Barack Obama’s 5 August 2015 speech on the Iran nuclear agreement was replete with warnings about heeding the same bunch of warmongers trying to use the same bunch of discredited arguments in the same old table-thumping way as they did in whipping up the U.S. political establishment to sanction the 2003 attack […]
more…6 Aug, 2015
Germanwings crash probe report highlights impact of stress, alcohol and drugs on those at the controls
Bangkok — Two investigation reports into the March 24 crash of Germanwings flight have underscored the role of stress, alcohol and drugs (S.A.D.) on the mental condition of pilots. By extension, they have raised serious concerns about the influence of S.A.D. on the mental condition of those at the wheel of all modes of transport, […]
more…4 Aug, 2015
Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao Launches Exclusive ‘Meditation on the Mekong’ Experience
Hong Kong, 3rd August 2015 – Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos has launched an exclusive ‘Meditation on the Mekong’ experience, immersing guests in an integral cornerstone of Buddhism during an intimate tour of the country’s spiritual capital. Arranged in partnership with local meditation company Your Mind Retreat, this one-of-a-kind tour takes […]
more…4 Aug, 2015
A Pakistani centenarian’s “alternative” way of filling up Asia’s potholes and boosting road safety
Karachi — Millions of potholes pockmark the streets, roads and alleys of Asia. They exact an immense collective toll in the form of motorcycle accidents, damage to vehicles and traffic casualties. Filling them up is usually a public sector responsibility. That means waiting for the local Roads or Transport departments to complete the bureaucratic process […]
more…3 Aug, 2015
India to Fund Translation of Ancient Arabic Manuscripts Showing Islamic Health & Wellness Advances
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 03 August 2015 (17 Shawwaal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…2 Aug, 2015
Average of 22 dowry deaths per day in India over last three years: Govt – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: A total of 24,771 dowry deaths have been reported in the country in past three years with maximum of them occurring in Uttar Pradesh with 7,048 deaths. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, women and child development ministry Maneka Gandhi said that 8,233, 8,083, and 8,455 cases were registered under section 304B […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
Professional women should give birth at younger age: Chinese physician advises
By Zhang Qiaoli Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-07-28 – Women should strive to balance quality of work and life, and have children at a young age. As a doctor I see much suffering because of this imbalance. Xiao Ying, 36, works for a large law firm. Her job means lots of travel, a heavy caseload and a […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
China to launch national survey of senior citizens
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) July 29, 2015 – China will launch a massive sample survey of senior citizens on August 1. This survey, the fourth China has made on the living situation of senior people in rural and urban areas, will last about one month with the effort of 40,000 census-takers, according to a press […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
Jewish extremist stabs six people at Gay Pride march in Jerusalem
Jerusalem: An Orthodox Jewish assailant stabbed and injured six participants of an annual Gay Pride march in Jerusalem on Thursday. It was the worst attack in years on the event in Jerusalem, a city where the religious population is more prominent than in other parts of Israel. “I saw an ultra-Orthodox youth stabbing everyone in […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
General Motors to pull out of Gujarat to stem mounting losses | The Indian Express
In a bid to stem mounting losses, US-based auto major General Motors on Wednesday said it will restructure operations at its Indian subsidiary by ceasing operations at its facility in Halol, Gujarat and instead invest in consolidating operations at its other unit in Talegaon, Maharashtra. GM is the first major auto maker in the last […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
India: All upcoming Metro stations to have toilets
NEW DELHI, July 23 (NNN-Bernama) — All upcoming metro stations including 32 of them under the Delhi Metro will have toilets, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha, was informed on Thursday, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Direction has been issued to all metro companies implementing metro projects under 50:50 joint […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Australian Opposition Party signals intent to recognise Palestine statehood
Melbourne (IINA) 28 July 2015 – The Australian Labor Party (ALP), currently in opposition, agreed Sunday on a resolution to consider recognizing a Palestinian statehood if peace talks remain deadlocked. The resolution, put forward on Monday at the ALP’s three-day national conference held in Melbourne, stipulated that “If … there is no progress in the next round […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Saudi women on the move after being cleared to travel without male escorts – Arab News
ABHA: Several Saudi businesswomen started traveling with a group of friends after recent regulations which allow women to travel without their mahram. These women said they find great fun to travel as a group with their friends and their children, where they can achieve their goals of travel. Travel and tourism offices said many Saudi […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Greater Jakarta Islands ask tourists to ‘dress modestly’ – The Jakarta Post
The Thousand Islands regency administration has asked that tourists, both locals and foreigners, who visit the island to “dress modestly”. Thousand Islands’ Tourism and Culture Agency head Irfal Guci said that more and more tourists had visited the island over the years. Thus, he said, the office felt the need to encourage tourists to dress […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Accenture to scrap annual performance reviews – The Independent
As of September, one of the largest companies in the world will do all of its employees and managers an enormous favor: It will get rid of the annual performance review. Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme told The Washington Post that the professional services firm, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers in cities around the […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Travel Impact Newswire launches First Early-Warning Report for Travel & Tourism Industry
Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire, the leading alternative-perspective online publication covering travel & tourism, has launched what is claimed to be the first Early-Warning Report designed to alert the world’s pre-eminent service industry to looming risks and threats in a rapidly-changing world. Focussing on subjects ranging from the impact of geopolitical conflict to the expanding […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Chris Hedges: Why I Support the BDS Movement Against Israel – Truthdig
The Palestinians are poor. They are powerless. They have no voice or influence in the halls of power. They are demonized. They do not have well-heeled lobbyists doling out campaign contributions and pushing through pro-Palestinian legislation. No presidential candidate is appealing to donors—as Hillary Clinton did when she sent a letter to media mogul Haim […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Masterpiece essays by 70 multi-lingual students top UN-organised competition
United Nations — A Vietnamese university student writing in Arabic, an Australian writing in Chinese, a Kazakh writing in French and a Korean writing in Spanish are among the 70 winners of a global multi-lingual essay-writing contest organised by the United Nations to involve the world’s young people in crafting the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Terrorism’s saffron fault line – DAWN.COM
Saffron now carries the indelible imprint of BJP’s aggressive brand of religious-political chauvinism, particularly in the wake of the 2002 communal carnage in Gujarat when sword-wielding killers sported saffron headbands, stoles and pennants. It has thus become the default term for anything to do with Hindu supremacist politics and actions although the BJP has vigorously […]
more…27 Jul, 2015
Secrecy of TPP talks fuels concern about influence of corporate property lobby
AFP-JIJI, Jul 26, 2015, WASHINGTON – Higher costs for needed generic drugs. Longer copyright protections than the global standard. Foreign investors empowered to overrule governments. A more tightly-regulated Internet. Those are just some of the potential pitfalls from any deal that could emerge from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation free trade and investment pact shrouded […]
more…27 Jul, 2015
Special Report: Iran Beckons The World
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 July 2015 (10 Shawwal 1436). This week’s edition includes a special compilation of reports on the business, cultural and artistic awakening set to emerge in Iran following the conclusion of the nuclear pact with […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” writer says film can build India-Pakistan bridge – Times of India
Koduri Ventaka Vijayendra Prasad’s pen has delivered cross-border magic, with Bajrangi Bhaijaan becoming a big hit in both India and Pakistan. Now this isn’t a film about dinosaurs or dancing or a wedding. It’s about a desi Hanuman bhakt reuniting a young Pakistani angel with her family in PoK. Here’s a message as big as […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
Teesta Setalvad: Activists face dark future under Modi govt – The Hindu
In an interview to The Hindu a few days ago, she said that under the Modi regime the future is dark for activists. Arguably the face of the fight for justice for the victims of the Gujarat riots in 2002, Teesta Setalvad has tirelessly fought scores of cases, provided legal aid to the survivors through […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
San Francisco could be hit by massive earthquake ‘any day now’, says USGS scientist – The Independent
The San Francisco Bay Area could be struck by a major earthquake “any day now”, says a scientist with the US Geological Survey.The Hayward fault historically causes a huge earthquake every 140 years and it has been 147 years since the last major quake on the fault.Hayward caused a magnitude 4.0 earthquake on Tuesday that […]
more…25 Jul, 2015
Especially for those Americans who think Islam is a violent religion…
Just hours before a gunman entered a cinema in Louisiana killing two people and injuring nine others, Barack Obama spoke out yet again about the US’s gun laws. Speaking to the BBC, the president said: “The United States of America is the one advanced nation on Earth in which we do not have sufficient common […]
more…25 Jul, 2015
How one homeless child inspired this Bangladeshi to help hundreds – The Guardian
It was a day playing with plastic bottles that changed Korvi Rakshand’s life. Named one of 10 inspirational Bangladeshis last year, Rakshand was born to a wealthy family. But he turned his back on money and for the past eight years has been running an NGO in one of Dhaka’s biggest slums. He talks freely […]
more…24 Jul, 2015
76% of Working Adults Have Suffered Under a Bad Boss, U.S. National Workforce Survey Finds
HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–23 July 2015 — The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University, a leading executive MBA program for working managers, today released findings from its national workforce survey, which was conducted to determine how employees perceive their managers, careers, and workplace culture. Based on the survey, eight in ten workers report having a […]
more…24 Jul, 2015
Are We Becoming 24-Hour Workers? CareerBuilder Survey Explores the Demise of 9 to 5
CHICAGO, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — A new CareerBuilder survey indicates that, much like flip phones and fax machines, the traditional eight-hour work day may be on its way out. More than 1,000 full-time workers in information technology, financial services, sales, and professional and business services – industries that historically have more traditional work hours […]
more…23 Jul, 2015
The German Workforce Has a Burnout Problem — Gallup
14 July 2015, (Gallup Inc.) — In 2012, the German business publication Manager Magazin reported the number of burnout cases among companies in the DAX, the German stock index covering the 30 most actively traded blue chip companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Working with patient data, the European hospital chain Asklepios estimated that, on […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
New app to help non-drinkers find alcohol-free friends and colleagues
By Kristina Sperkova I am so proud and excited about the fact that we in IOGT International have just built a partnership with SoberGrid – the Number One Sober App that was officially launched just a few hours ago. We believe in the App and in the people behind it. We know it will provide […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
Chinese commentary: Iran nuclear deal opens new vistas of opportunities
Washington DC, 2015-07-17 (China Daily): The long-term and comprehensive nuclear agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and P5+1 – China, the US, Russia, France, the UK plus Germany – should be applauded for opening a new channel of peace for not only the Middle East, but also the whole world. The deal ended a […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
PH is Airbnb’s fastest growing market – Manila Bulletin
Manila — The Philippines posted an exponential 300 percent growth year on year for travelers using the Airbnb platform, a website for people to rent out lodging, making it the fastest growing market in the ASEAN region. Jia Jih Chai, Airbnb managing director for Southeast Asia and India, told reporters in an interview at the […]
more…21 Jul, 2015
Chicago’s Rebel Rabbi Standing with Palestinians: “We Must Stand with the Oppressed”
By standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people, I believe I am fulfilling one of the central spiritual directives of my religious tradition – namely that we must stand with the oppressed and call out the oppressor. It’s really that simple. Now of course, I’m not so naïve as to deny the enormous complexities that […]
more…20 Jul, 2015
Palestine, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka sign up for Halal Travel Summit in Abu Dhabi
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 July 2015 (04 Shawwaal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…20 Jul, 2015
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” film review: The Critical Role of Film-makers as Peace-makers
Bangkok – One of the most poignant moments in this deeply sensitive yet highly entertaining film comes when one of the principal characters, a Pakistani journalist, tries vainly to sell local TV channels a powerful human interest story about a well-meaning fundamentalist Indian Hindu trying to reunite a lost Pakistani Muslim child with her parents. […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
The Revolt Against Tourism — New York Times
COPENHAGEN — AS we glide under a bridge on the city canal tour, our guide announces that we have entered a quiet zone. “This is a residential area,” she says, nodding toward balconies where Danes are enjoying coffee, or maybe wine. “I’ll resume talking in five minutes.” Denmark is one of the world’s top destinations […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Washington Post publishes “25 Most Moving Photos from Ramadan”
In a remarkable tribute to the beauty and grandeur of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, the Washington Post has published a special photographic section entitled, “The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan”. Click here to see the beautiful photographs: The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan – The Washington Post
more…19 Jul, 2015
The end of capitalism has begun – The Guardian
By Paul Mason The red flags and marching songs of Syriza during the Greek crisis, plus the expectation that the banks would be nationalised, revived briefly a 20th-century dream: the forced destruction of the market from above. For much of the 20th century this was how the left conceived the first stage of an economy […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
India will be a Hindu nation by 2020, world by 2030: Extremist group patron
Calling the victory of the BJP-led alliance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as initiation of a “revolution” in the country, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) patron Ashok Singhal on Saturday said by 2020, India would be a Hindu nation. “I was at the Sai Baba Ashram where Sai Baba told me by 2020 the entire […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Two Thai speakers slotted for Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh
Two Thais are to be among the top speakers at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 7-9 October 2015. To be co-hosted by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and Alcohol Focus Scotland, the conference will focus on the theme “Momentum For Change: Research And Advocacy Reducing Alcohol Harm.” […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Anti-Muslim group to rally in Sydney – Sydney Morning Herald
Reclaim Australia protesters will descend on Sydney’s Martin Place on Sunday after similar rallies ended in violence in Melbourne. The protesters will gather in Martin Place between Macquarie and Phillip Streets at 10.30am tomorrow protesting against what Reclaim Australia calls the “Islamisation of Australia”. In Melbourne about 50 Reclaim Australia protesters were met by anti-racism […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of the lot – Aurora
As part of its #GermfreeRamazan activation campaign, Lifebuoy recently released a video that created a whole lot of positive buzz on social media in Pakistan. Here are five reasons why this is one of the best Ramazan ads in a long time. Read the rest: Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Study: Afghan war costs American taxpayers $4 million per hour — RT USA
New data shows that America’s war in Afghanistan is costing taxpayers roughly $4 million an hour, despite the Obama administration’s drawdown of troops leaving only 10,000 soldiers in the country. Despite the colossal cost, the Obama administration and Afghan leadership both recognize the war will only end with peace negotiations, according to observers. More than […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
2 million worshippers pray at Grand Mosque on 27th Ramadan night – Arab News
JEDDAH: More than two million worshippers offered Isha and taraweeh prayers on 27th night of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in a highly spiritual atmosphere. The government led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ensured elaborate security as well as comfort by providing all necessary services to the guests […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
British Muslims in Newcastle invite locals for Iftar
Newcastle, England (IINA) 13 Jul 2015 – In the spirit of Ramadan, a Muslim community in Newcastle, England, invited their local community to break their fast together, World Bulletin reported. The Islamic Diversity Centre (IDC) has held an annual Iftar event which took place last week in suburban Walbottle, Newcastle. As reported in the Chronicle […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Drones and phones to tackle Indonesian Eid ul-Fitri holiday road chaos – The Jakarta Post
From drones to smartphone apps, Indonesia is harnessing technology to tackle traffic chaos during the annual mass exodus before the Muslim Eid ul Fitri holiday, when the potholed roads of overpopulated Java become clogged with millions of slow-moving cars and crashes are frequent. Cities in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country empty every year at […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Klu Klux Klan distributes fliers in black South Carolina neighbourhood – The Independent
When the Klu Klux Klan distributed fliers in a predominantly black neighbourhood, residents reponded in a way that the KK might not have been expected – by producing their own posters showing a white and black hand clasped in a handshake. What made the response all the more telling was that the incident took place […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
How Iran got the hegemon to lift sanctions
Now that Iran nuclear deal is completed, the attention of western news media and political commentators is predictably focused overwhelmingly on the opposition to the agreement within the US Congress and from Israel and the Saudi-led Sunni Arab coalition. That media lens misses the real significance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Netizen Redesigns China’s High-Speed Rail Network Like a Subway Map
Beijing, July 15, 2015, (People’s Daily Online) – Recently, a netizen in China drew a nationwide high-speed railway network in the format of a subway map. This straightforward and clear map saves travelers tons of work in planning for transportation. “I got the itch to travel the moment I saw this map,” a netizen comments […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
Hotel ‘staffed’ entirely by robots unveiled in Japan – Al Jazeera English
A businessman in Japan has unveiled a hotel run by robots, insisting the move is not a gimmick but a serious attempt at reducing costs. People and Power – The Tech Threat Henn na Hotel, as it is called in Japanese, was shown to reporters on Wednesday, complete with robot demonstrations, ahead of its opening […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
In Latin America Tour, Pope Francis Trashes Everything Travel & Tourism Considers Holy
If the travel & tourism industry did not pay any attention to the powerful speeches by Pope Francis during his 5-13 July tour of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, three countries considered among the poorest in Latin America, it needs to think again. Trashing everything that the industry considers holy, the head of the 1.2 billion […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation – DAWN.COM
Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation Amjad Iqbal — Updated 3 days ago Base of the column of sandstone placed in front of Jandial temple. Taxila is known as the cradle of Buddhist civilisation, with numerous Buddhist sites. But few know that in heart of the great Buddhist civilisation there stands […]
more…13 Jul, 2015
New York to host first Muslim comedy festival
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 July 2015 (26 Ramadan 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TRAVEL NEWSWIRE EXECUTIVE EDITOR IMTIAZ MUQBIL AND ASSISTANT EDITOR SANA MUQBIL SHAMSI WISH ALL […]
more…12 Jul, 2015
Claiming to preserve Jerusalem, Israeli archaeologists wreck Palestinian heritage | The Electronic Intifada
In an administrative building buried deep in the spaciously built suburbs of West Jerusalem, the latest phase of a long-standing struggle over a corner of land in the heart of the city concluded last week. Israel’s National Planning Committee has overseen an appeal by several bodies who oppose the further expansion of the powerful settler […]
more…11 Jul, 2015
Saudis more law-abiding abroad | Arab News
JEDDAH: A local survey found that almost half of Saudis abide by rules and laws in public places outside the Kingdom more than they do inside the country. More than one-third of the respondent sample said they violate road traffic signs and directions. The survey, conducted by Tagreed Al-Jadaani, professor of home economics at King […]
more…11 Jul, 2015
Female foeticide, India’s ‘ticking bomb’ – Al Jazeera English
Bibipur, India – The jubilant young man’s arrival brought an abrupt halt to the card game contested by the turbaned group sitting under the tree. He thought he had good news for them: “I’ve been blessed with a baby girl!” he announced proudly. The response was not what he expected – the group’s shock quickly […]
more…11 Jul, 2015
Israeli women launch fast for peace on Gaza war anniversary – DAWN.COM
JERUSALEM: Israeli Jews and Arabs launched a collective fast on Wednesday – the anniversary of last year’s Gaza war – to back their demands for peace with the Palestinians. Members of the “Women Wage Peace” group set up a protest tent outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official Jerusalem residence and plan to take it in […]
more…11 Jul, 2015
Chinese tourism to Japan expected to be hit by stock market woes – Japan Times
TOKYO – The plunge in China’s stock market and concerns about its economic growth are having effects well beyond the nation’s borders — with shares of Japanese companies that benefit from Chinese tourists also declining. Tourism has boomed in Japan as the yen has weakened, with visitors from mainland China more than doubling in the […]
more…8 Jul, 2015
Muslim girl named best-dressed student at US school – DAWN.COM
NEW YORK: A hijab-wearing Muslim of Palestinian descent has been named the best-dressed girl at a school in New Jersey state, according to a website. Abrar Shahin, a student of Clifton High School, sports a black skirt and skinny jeans, ankle-high boots and a cropped white blazer in her yearbook photo. Her make-up is just […]
more…8 Jul, 2015
In high-tech, high-stress Asia, “Peace of Mind” products/services will be best-sellers – GfK research
Bangkok – As the people of Asia become more urbanised, more enamoured of technology and spend more time at work, the resulting high-stress societies will create big opportunities for products and services which promote convenience, pleasure and peace of mind. That trend, already well under way, explains why travel & tourism, arguably the only economic […]
more…8 Jul, 2015
Israel’s Army Of Spin-Doctors Is Doomed To Defeat – Jonathan Cook, Countercurrents
Nazareth: The Israeli government believes it is locked in an epic struggle to save Israel from the growing movement calling for an international boycott. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that Israel must quickly “rebrand” itself to avoid pariah status. Ordinary Israelis are therefore being conscripted into an army of spin-doctors in a campaign termed “hasbara” […]
more…8 Jul, 2015
Welcome to Modistan | Arab News
Can one imagine David Cameron or Barack Obama or Angela Merkel or Francois Hollande making trips abroad, while their respective countries reel from blood-soaked trails of the most sinister scam? Can one imagine the leaders not succumbing to calls for resignation, when that scam leaves behind 48 unexplained deaths? Logic says they should step aside […]
more…8 Jul, 2015
The blood-soaked trail of India’s massive Vyapam scam – Quartz
While shady deals aren’t exactly unusual in Asia’s third largest economy, the Vyapam scam—or the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board scam—is getting murkier and scarier by the day. Since 2007, thousands of applicants in Madhya Pradesh have allegedly paid bribes to manipulate examination results for government jobs and medical colleges, according to police. A number […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Riyadh’s Ramadan tents are a big draw | Arab News
RIYADH: Hotels in the capital have made special arrangements by setting up Ramadan tents, where diners can visit to begin and break their fast with special suhoor and iftar meals during the ongoing fasting month. As the Ramadan tent is a popular phenomenon in the Kingdom and other Arab countries, Arab News explored the special […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Ku Klux Klan plans July 18 rally as black churches burn – Sydney Morning Herald
Charleston: The Ku Klux Klan plans to rally in South Carolina, even as black churches have been warned to take “necessary precautions” as authorities in southern states investigate several church fires over the last week. The Loyal White Knights chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, based in Pelham, North Carolina, said it will rally at […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s tips for success in business | Asia Times
Want to be a successful entrepreneur in these hard times? Jack Ma, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s billionaire founder, has some useful tips for you. He jotted them after being inspired by some people he met during his travels. Jack Ma says entrepreneurs should be grateful to their customers Never think of becoming rich overnight. Running a […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
New Muslims describe their Ramadan experience | GulfNews.com
Dubai: For most Muslims, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, is a time to practise self-discipline and spiritual reflection. Along with abstaining from food and drink from dusk to dawn for 30 consecutive days, Muslims should refrain from sinful behaviour and speech, and redirect their focus from life’s distractions to worship and […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Social media blamed for huge rise in China divorce cases
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-07-06 – The growing use of social media is a major factor behind a dramatic increase in the divorce rate, according to a lawyer. Couples who spend too long chatting online instead of talking and devoting time to each other risk growing apart, said Liu Lin of Beijing Shuangli Law Firm. Nine […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
7/7 anniversary: Islamophobia and the London bombings, one decade on — RT UK
Blair’s speech, which branded Islamic extremism an “evil ideology” with “devilish logic,” was not the beginning of Islamophobia in Britain. As Merali notes, it is tempting to see such events as a starting point when in fact they are part of a “trajectory” of popular sentiment. But by saying the acts were “founded in belief,” […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Waqf Minister: Jewish extremists committed 184 violations against Islamic Holy Sites in two months
RAMALLAH, July 5, 2015 (WAFA) – At least 184 violations by Israeli authorities against the holy sites in East Jerusalem and Hebron were reported in the recent two months, Sunday reported Yousef Id’ies, Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs. While violations in Jerusalem mainly involved provocative visits by extremist Jewish settlers, those in Hebron included […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
European taxpayers fork out €18.1M for Palestinian salaries, pensions for June
RAMALLAH, July 6, 2015 (WAFA) – The European Union and the Netherlands Monday announced a contribution of around €18.1 million ($20 million) to the Palestinian Authority’s payment of June salaries and pensions. This contribution, which is channelled through the financial mechanism launched in 2008 to support the PA Reform and Development Plan (2008-2010) and subsequent […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Firm faith: The company bosses who pray – BBC News
Saying prayers with colleagues would feel a bit uncomfortable, too intimate an activity in the workplace for many people. Yet at Chinese real estate giant Tentimes Group, that is exactly what they do in the boardroom before making important decisions. Three-quarters of the firm’s eight-strong senior management team are Christians and founder and chairman Wang […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Indonesians going abroad must report online: Ministry | The Jakarta Post
The case of an Indonesian believed to have gone missing in Syria has prompted the Foreign Ministry to issue a regulation requiring any Indonesian traveling outside the country to report online before departure. The regulation, which is aimed at helping the ministry to monitor Indonesian citizens abroad, will be issued in August. Foreign Ministry spokesman […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
Sikh pilgrims bring memories of a past life to Hassanabdal, Pakistan – DAWN.COM
After waiting for 70 years, Karanveer Singh, a pilgrim from Hoshiarpur in India, is finally allowed to visit Pakistan. Mixed feelings of nostalgia and reverence overtake him as he pays homage to Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his 176th death anniversary. In the midst of rituals and preparations, he yearns to meet someone from Toba Tek […]
more…7 Jul, 2015
American White Supremacists Extend Their Reach Through Websites – New York Times
As investigators comb through the data streams of Mr. Roof’s electronic equipment, a four-page manifesto apparently written by him before the killings offers a virtual road map to modern-day white supremacy. It contains bitter complaints about black crime and immigration, espousing the virtues of segregation and debating the viability of an all-white enclave in the […]
more…6 Jul, 2015
First Brunei Islamic Fashion Exhibition aims to unite local designers
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 06 July 2015 (19 Ramadaan 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…5 Jul, 2015
More Britons believe that multiculturalism makes the country worse: Poll
More people in Britain believe that multiculturalism makes the country worse than those who believe it makes the country better, according to a new survey. The survey by YouGov, commissioned by the Huffington Post, demonstrates a large decrease in the proportion of the population who believe that multiculturalism benefits the country. The latest figures, polled […]
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