Author Archive
15 Dec, 2014
Oman Air Launches Muscat-Jakarta Flights
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 15 December 2014 (22 Safar 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE Malaysian […]
more…15 Dec, 2014
Fifth column: Stop Hindutva now | The Indian Express
by Tavleen Singh There exists today the bizarre situation in which our strongest prime minister in decades is allowing Hindu fanatics in the Lok Sabha and Hindu fanatical organisations outside to blacken his image. The MPs who have been most offensive wear saffron robes signifying asceticism and renunciation. So what they are doing in Parliament […]
more…14 Dec, 2014
Native American Council Offers Amnesty to 220 Million Undocumented Whites – The Daily Currant
A council of Native American leaders has offered partial amnesty to the estimated 220 million illegal white immigrants living in the United States. At a meeting of the Native Peoples Council (NPC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico yesterday, Native American leaders considered several proposals on the future of this continent’s large, unauthorized European population. The elders […]
more…14 Dec, 2014
All-around service is key to meeting Chinese needs abroad
(China Daily) 2014-12-13 – HNA Tourism Group made an interesting observation on its cruise ship Henna: While Western cruise-ship customers love lying on the deck taking in the sun, many Chinese travelers follow a decidedly Chinese pursuit and gather to play mahjong below deck. So the company has prepared mahjong sets on the ship in […]
more…14 Dec, 2014
Portugal’s parliament calls for recognition of Palestinian state – Haaretz
The Portuguese parliament passed a resolution Friday recommending that the government recognize a Palestinian state, the portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã reported. Only nine members of the 230-member Assembly of the Republic voted against the resolution, which was jointly sponsored by the country’s three largest parties: Social Democratic Party, the People’s Party (both right-wing parties […]
more…14 Dec, 2014
Six months of Modi govt: Movie without a script – The Indian Express
The bad fight scenes are piling up. Modi’s ambiguous admonition notwithstanding, his party is feeling incredibly empowered to spread communal poison. Other parties in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh may be fishing as well. The excuse that these storm troopers are fringe elements, marginal to the party, simply does not wash. The number of inflammatory […]
more…13 Dec, 2014
New evidence Bush misled Americans into Iraq war – senator — RT USA
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has released new information claiming the Bush administration misled the American people in the run-up to the war in Iraq. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said on Thursday that a 2003 CIA cable warns the administration of former President George W. Bush against making reference to claims that […]
more…13 Dec, 2014
Investigators confirm Heathrow plane in near miss with drone – The Guardian
Aviation near-miss investigators have expressed considerable concern that a device believed to be a drone came within 20ft of an incoming passenger plane at Heathrow airport. The Airbus A320 was 700ft from landing when the pilot reported seeing a small black object to the left of the aircraft, the report by the UK Airprox (aircraft […]
more…13 Dec, 2014
Romancing the Taj: Online tickets for visiting monument of love from Dec 25 – Hindustan Times
Your wait for a glimpse of the world’s most famous monument to love is about to get much shorter. Come December 25 and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) will introduce online ticketing for visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, ASI director general Rakesh Tiwari said. The e-ticketing facility will be introduced on a trial […]
more…13 Dec, 2014
PressTV – US Congress approves over half a trillion dollars in military spending
The US Congress approved a massive military spending bill on Friday worth more than half a trillion dollars, which includes billions of dollars for waging wars and developing nuclear weapons. The legislation sets the Pentagon’s budget for fiscal year 2015 at $577 billion, including a base budget of $496 billion and $64 billion for conflicts […]
more…13 Dec, 2014
Asia Times Online: The cleansing of India
India is in the throes of the Swacchh Bharat Abhiyan, in other words a campaign to clean India. This, as one has now got to see, has to do with lots of famous people picking up brooms and cleaning streets that are already clean or have been specially littered for the photo-op. TV advertisements pointing […]
more…12 Dec, 2014
Thai-Muslims to hold First Thailand Halal Assembly to boost travel, trade with Islamic World
Bangkok – An estimated 5,000 delegates are expected to meet in Bangkok between December 28 – 30 for the first “Thailand Halal Assembly 2014” to be held at the Bangkok Convention Center, Centara Grand Hotel at Central World. Organised jointly by the Halal Science Center of Chulalongkorn University, the Central Islamic Council of Thailand and […]
more…12 Dec, 2014
Mahatma Gandhi’s killer Godse is a ‘nationalist, not traitor’: BJP lawmaker
Stirring a political hornet’s nest, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Sakshi Maharaj said that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Vinayak Godse was equally a patriot and a nationalist, and should not be seen as a traitor or considered as one. Godse had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi by shooting him in the […]
more…11 Dec, 2014
Climate Change: Oh, when will they ever learn?
Beijing, (China Daily) 2014-12-06 – Oh, when will they ever learn?The annual ritual of UN climate change conference is on in the Peruvian capital of Lima in a year which is almost certainly going to be the hottest on record. Twenty-two years have passed since the first international climate conference in Rio de Janeiro in […]
more…10 Dec, 2014
“Remarkable Indonesia” showcase in Bangkok highlights culture, builds ASEAN integration
Bangkok – A “Remarkable Indonesia Showcase 2014” was held from 8 to 11 December 2014 at Central Court, Central World in downtown Bangkok. At the official opening ceremony on 9 December. Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand, Mr Lutfi Rauf called it an “iconic event that showcases a variety of fashion products, cultural performances and food and […]
more…10 Dec, 2014
UP: Day after ‘homecoming’, Muslim families deny embracing Hinduism – Hindustan Times
About 57 Muslim families contested on Tuesday hard-line Hindu groups Dharma Jagaran Manch and Bajrang Dal’s claim that they have switched to Hinduism, saying they were tricked into a conversion event couched as a “homecoming ceremony” in Agra. Noor Mohammad, one of the people who alleged that the two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh offshoots had lured […]
more…10 Dec, 2014
PH pushes developing nations to cut emissions – Manila Bulletin
December 10, 2014, Lima, Peru, (The New York Times) – As the torrential rains of typhoon “Ruby” flood the Philippines, driving millions of people from their homes, the Philippine government arrived at a United Nations climate change summit meeting on Monday to push hard for a new international deal requiring all nations, including developing countries, […]
more…10 Dec, 2014
Indian, Pakistani Nobel prize winners ask leaders to embrace peace | The Indian Express
Indian Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday said trust and friendship is key to sustainable peace in South Asia, as they asked the leaders of the two countries to embrace peace. “Trust and friendship is important for sustainable peace between India and Pakistan,” 60-year-old Satyarthi told reporters here on […]
more…10 Dec, 2014
Hindu extremist group ‘re-converts’ 200 Agra Muslims, says more in line – The Times of India
AGRA: Members of at least 57 Muslim families were converted to Hinduism at a ceremony called ‘Purkhon ki ghar vapsi’, a mass conversion jointly organized by Dharma Jagran Samanvay Vibhag, an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Bajrang Dal in Agra on Monday. RSS regional head Rajeshwar Singh said more than 200 Muslims […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
UK media ‘gagged over bid to report MP child sex cases’ – The Observer
The security services are facing questions over the cover-up of a Westminster paedophile ring as it emerged that files relating to official requests for media blackouts in the early 1980s were destroyed. Two newspaper executives have told the Observer that their publications were issued with D-notices – warnings not to publish intelligence that might damage […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
Declare Bhagavad Gita national scripture: Sushma – Hindustan Times
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday urged the Centre to declare the Bhagavad Gita a national scripture and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for presenting the book to world leaders. “PM Modi gifted the Gita to US President Barack Obama, which means it has already received the honour of a national scripture. What we […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
Taj Mahal part of ancient temple, claims UP BJP chief – The Times of India
BAHRAICH: After Azam Khan’s demand of handing over the Taj Mahal to UP waqf board, the state’s BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai on Sunday sought to drag the famed mausoleum into another row by claiming that it was a part of an ancient temple. Bajpai told reporters that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan “purchased a part of […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
Snowden film ‘CitizenFour’ wins top documentary award – DAWN.COM
LOS ANGELES: CitizenFour, filmmaker Laura Poitras’s documentary about National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden, was given the top award for best feature by the International Documentary Association on Friday. The IDA award for CitizenFour follows the film’s best documentary win at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards this week. It was also nominated for […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
Pakistani university student shot dead in Chicago – DAWN.COM
A Pakistani student enrolled in Loyola University was fatally shot in Chicago on Friday during an attempted robbery, the Chicago Tribune reported. Accompanied by his brother, 23-year-old Mutahir Rauf was walking by 1300 block of West Albion Avenue in Roger Park neighbourhood, when he was stopped by two men on foot, a block from the […]
more…9 Dec, 2014
Mass surveillance exposed by Snowden ‘not justified by fight against terrorism’ – The Guardian
The “secret, massive and indiscriminate” surveillance conducted by intelligence services and disclosed by the former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden cannot be justified by the fight against terrorism, the most senior human rights official in Europe has warned. In a direct challenge to the United Kingdom and other states, Nils Muižnieks, the commissioner for human […]
more…8 Dec, 2014
Malaysia sets up Malay Language Development Centre in China
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 08 December 2014 (16 Safar 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]
more…8 Dec, 2014
Israel authors call on European parliaments to recognize Palestine – Haaretz
Renowned Israeli authors Amos Oz, David Grossman and A.B. Yehoshua have signed a letter calling on European parliaments to recognize a Palestinian state. According to the Gush Shalom organization, Oz, Grossman and Yehoshua join some 800 Israeli signatories, including Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman, former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg and former Minister Yossi Sarid. On Sunday […]
more…7 Dec, 2014
Indian citizens head immigration queue for Australia – Sydney Morning Herald
Indian citizens are flocking to Australia to work, beating the once-dominant British expats, while the granting of Australian citizenship is at a six-year high, according to migration figures released this week. The statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development show there has been 46.6 per cent increase in the number of people becoming […]
more…6 Dec, 2014
The world has had enough of the Israeli occupation – Haaretz Editorial
As Israel turns its attention inward to an election campaign, the world is continuing to take steps against Israel’s obstinacy to make peace and its ongoing occupation and settlement building. Barak Ravid reported in Thursday’s Haaretz that the Obama administration is considering taking stronger measures against construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements. […]
more…6 Dec, 2014
Trade unions go on the offensive in India, call nationwide strike to protest anti-labour policies
This week’s 30th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster is stark reminder that India’s relationship with capitalism has not always been a happy one. 5 December 2014, Geneva, ITUC media release – As the world’s largest democracy again remembers those who died from the toxic gas leak at the US-owned Union Carbide factory on the night […]
more…5 Dec, 2014
Former Bega Cheese CEO likely to remain on bail over child sex offences – Sydney Morning Herald
The confessed child sex offender and former head of Bega Cheese, Maurice van Ryn is likely to remain on bail if he can arrange effective electronic monitoring and prove his family members have put up a $700,000 surety, a court has been told. Last month Mr Van Ryn, the Chief Executive Officer of the cheese […]
more…5 Dec, 2014
Music becomes collateral damage in souring of Pak-India ties – DAWN.COM
After the Lahore-based Sachal Jazz Ensemble’s seven Pakistani artists were denied permission to perform at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on December 1, the band decided to cancel the Bangalore concert scheduled for the following day and returned home. The Ensemble comprising musicians from India, Pakistan and the UK were on a […]
more…5 Dec, 2014
Asia Times Online: “The Hunger Games” are real in Gaza
By Ramzy Baroud I could have never imagined myself drawing parallels between my refugee camp, Nuseirat, in the Gaza Strip, its heroic people, and a Hollywood movie; the struggle of my people is too sacred for that. But I couldn’t help it as I watched the latest from The Hunger Games franchise, Mockingjay. A feeling […]
more…5 Dec, 2014
UAE luxury yacht market remains buoyant | GulfNews.com
Dubai: Superyachts in the UAE have caught a wave of fresh interest over the last year from residents of the Arabian Gulf, Russian and European tourists. The market for superyachts, which are more than 30 metres in length, has bounced back from the 2008 financial crisis. “We see a consistent growth in the [boating] market […]
more…5 Dec, 2014
US removes Saudi businessman from sanctions list after 13 years without charge | Arab News
A leading Saudi businessman and philanthropist has been removed by the US Treasury Department from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. This development marks the conclusion of Sheikh Yassin Kadi’s challenge to the restrictive measures after a 13-year battle, which started with the imposition of sanctions in October 2001. Kadi had already been de-listed in […]
more…4 Dec, 2014
100 days on: Gaza’s children speak out – The Independent
Standing outside a youth centre in the north of Gaza, Mohammed, a confident 12-year-old,says he works hard at sciences in school and has big dreams: “I want to be an astronaut, I want to be the first astronaut from Gaza.” For children in the war-ravaged region, imaginations remain intact. But 100 days after the seven-week […]
more…4 Dec, 2014
The rise of India’s Saffron brigade – The Hindu
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat set the target of one crore volunteers and one lakh Shakhas in five years’ time at a three-day youth camp in early November in Agra. The Sangh has been working hard on getting these numbers. The rigorous daily Shakha has a weekly avatar — the IT Milan for IT, management and […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
British Muslims raise concern over new anti-terror law – DAWN.COM
LONDON: British Muslim rights groups and ordinary faithful said they felt singled out by a tough new anti-terror law unveiled on Wednesday, labelling the planned legislation divisive and rushed. While there is agreement on the need to prevent would-be British militants from joining the ranks of the Islamic State group, there is also unease over […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
Record numbers of UK working families in poverty due to low-paid jobs – The Guardian
Insecure, low-paid jobs are leaving record numbers of working families in poverty, with two-thirds of people who found work in the past year taking jobs for less than the living wage, according to the latest annual report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The research shows that over the last decade, increasing numbers of pensioners have […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
When cricket bat and beard = “anti-Semitic killer” – DAWN.COM
Even without a concealed cricket bat, he would have stuck out like a sore thumb. Being bearded and brown in Brussels sets you apart, but not necessarily in a good way. Assim Abbasi, 22, attracted sudden notoriety when the police in Brussels circulated his photographs that showed him carrying a concealed object. The police believed […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
British Muslims face worst job discrimination of any minority group – The Independent
Muslims are facing the worst job discrimination of any minority group in Britain, according to new research which found that they had the lowest chance of being in work or in a managerial role. Muslim men were up to 76 per cent less likely to have a job of any kind compared to white, male […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
Beijing tightens rules for airports
Bejing, (China Daily) Updated: 2014-12-03 – The Beijing government has issued new airport rules with an eye on the growing number of conflicts between passengers and carriers in recent years. The rules forbid entering an airport-controlled area without an airport pass, entering a taxiway, forcibly boarding and occupying an aircraft, climbing over and destroying airports’ […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
Multinationals in China set for tougher scrutiny over tax evasion, transfer-pricing
Beijing, (China Daily), 2014-12-03 – China will establish a comprehensive system to monitor foreign companies’ profitability to curb cross-border tax evasion, the State Administration of Taxation said. The move is one of several steps against tax avoidance taken by the agency to protect the country’s interests as the world’s top destination for foreign direct investment. […]
more…3 Dec, 2014
Crossing borders: Why every Indian should visit Pakistan – DAWN.COM
By Nikita Singla I said, “I want to go to Pakistan…” but, I couldn’t finish before the reactions came flying in: “There are so many new places you can see, then why Pakistan?” “If a war starts between India and Pakistan, the first thing they will do is seal the borders and you will be […]
more…2 Dec, 2014
What America’s police departments don’t want you to know – The Washington Post
Michael Brown’s death was part of a tragic and unacceptable pattern: Police officers in the United States shoot and kill civilians in shockingly high numbers. How many killings are there each year? No one can say for sure, because police departments don’t want us to know. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, in 2013 […]
more…2 Dec, 2014
Meet the real turkeys in America | The Japan Times
Before the tryptophan in the turkey induces somnolence, give thanks for living in such an entertaining country. This year, for example, we learned that California’s Legislature includes 93 persons who seem never to have had sex. They enacted the “affirmative consent” law directing college administrators to tell students that sexual consent cannot be silence but […]
more…2 Dec, 2014
Australian Police in doghouse over strip searches – Sydney Morning Herald
Invasive strip searches by police have increased by almost a third in NSW over the past five years, with thousands of people stripped naked on the basis of sniffer dogs incorrectly indicating they are carrying drugs. Distressed patrons from music festivals and other events report being forced to take all their clothes off and squat […]
more…1 Dec, 2014
Al-Quds, Konya Declared Islamic Tourism Capitals for 2015, 2016
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 01 December 2014 (09 Safar 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]
more…1 Dec, 2014
China to boost students’ soccer skills
BEIJING, (Xinhua), 2014-11-27 — Many people blame academic pressure and lack of school soccer for China’s terrible soccer team, but that may be about to change thanks to a new evaluation system that will take into soccer skills. China’s education minister Yuan Guiren said on Wednesday that soccer will be factored in when forming a comprehensive […]
more…30 Nov, 2014
Gadhimai Hindu festival: Global condemnation of slaughter of more than 5,000 buffaloes – The Independent
The slaughter of more than 5,000 buffaloes at the Gadhimai Hindu festival in Nepal has drawn global condemnation from animal charities. Many more buffaloes and farm animals including chickens, goats and pigs are due to be killed as part of what is thought to be the world’s largest animal sacrifice ritual. Devotees believe the event […]
more…30 Nov, 2014
Young Londoners flee capital for the regions | The Observer
Young ambitious thirtysomethings are leaving London in droves. Record numbers are turning their backs on the capital and flocking to England’s regional cities, according to an analysis of official data that suggests a significant exodus from London is under way. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that, in the year to June […]
more…29 Nov, 2014
Macy’s says “huanying” to Chinese tourists
New York, (China Daily USA), 2014-11-28 – The presence of a China-themed float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time was perhaps symbolic of the rising importance of Chinese customers to one of the world’s largest department stores. The Macy’s in Herald Square in New York has undergone a $400 million renovation […]
more…29 Nov, 2014
MILF decommissioning fighters starting Jan 2015 | Manila Bulletin
Manila The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has agreed to start the decommissioning of its estimated 11,000 fully armed combatants and weapons by January, 2015. However, ammunitions are not covered by the decommissioning in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF peace panel in the peace process […]
more…29 Nov, 2014
Airline surcharges fly high despite slump in fuel prices — Sydney Morning Herald
Passengers will be wishing Australia had taken a leaf out of Hong Kong’s book before the Christmas holidays, the busiest flying time of the year. Since January, the Chinese territory’s aviation regulators have forced Qantas and other airlines to drop passenger fuel surcharges on long-haul flights by almost a third to $HK628 ($95). ‘I can […]
more…29 Nov, 2014
The two signs you’re a workaholic – Sydney Morning Herald
There’s never been an easier time to be a workaholic. If you’re so inclined, you have at your disposal a number of contraptions and factors to get you hooked. There’s the ubiquitous ‘smart’ phone, with your job merely a tap away. There’s the ‘do more with less’ mantra, compelling you to fill the gap. And […]
more…28 Nov, 2014
Ex-Thai Foreign Minister calls on Israel to end “cage-like existence” of Palestinian people
United Nations Asia-Pacific HQ, Bangkok – Thailand is proud to have recognised the state of Palestine, and “does not wish to see a colonial-like situation happening to fellow human beings such as the Palestinians in this 21st century,” former Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told a high-level turnout here on Nov 25. In a keynote […]
more…27 Nov, 2014
Near-collisions between drones, airliners surge, new FAA reports show – The Washington Post
Pilots around the United States have reported a surge in near-collisions and other dangerous encounters with small drones in the past six months at a time when the Federal Aviation Administration is gradually opening the nation’s skies to remotely controlled aircraft, according to FAA records. Since June 1, commercial airlines, private pilots and air-traffic controllers […]
more…27 Nov, 2014
Durham County boots security firm G4S over profiteering from Israeli occupation
Landmark victory in North Carolina Thank Durham County for ending million dollar contract with occupation profiteer G4S Dear Supporter, Many of us were in the streets last night: protesting the injustice done in #Ferguson, demanding that #blacklivesmatter, re-committing to fighting against this system of injustice. A system we know will come down brick by brick. […]
more…27 Nov, 2014
Beijing mulls APEC car restrictions for long-term use
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-11-26 – Beijing is considering turning a temporary restriction on private vehicles — a system based on odd-even license plate numbers that was used during the APEC meetings — into a long-term policy, drawing praise as well as concerns from the public. “We have received much positive feedback on the odd-even license plate traffic […]
more…26 Nov, 2014
In U.S., 37% Do Not Feel Safe Walking at Night Near Home
WASHINGTON, D.C., 25 Nov 2014, Gallup.com — Fewer than four in 10 adults in the U.S. (37%) say there is an area within a mile of where they live where they would be afraid to walk alone at night, similar to Americans’ attitudes over the last decade and a half. Most Americans continue to feel […]
more…26 Nov, 2014
Indonesian President sets new leadership standards during private Singapore visit | The Jakarta Post
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo returned to Indonesia on Sunday after completing a short trip to Singapore, where he attended his son’s graduation ceremony, snapped selfies with his son’s college friends and had a courtesy-call meeting with the prime minister of the city-state. Jokowi and First Lady Iriana arrived in Singapore on Friday evening to attend […]
more…26 Nov, 2014
Advancing ASEAN cultural integration: Mosque tours workshop held in Bangkok
Bangkok – The goal of ASEAN cultural integration took a major step forward over the Nov 15-16 weekend with the first workshop on guiding visitors through Islamic mosques in Thailand. About 30 Muslim guides and travel industry executives attended the workshop organised by Imam Abdul Ahad (Mr. Thanarat Watcharapisud) of the Haroon Mosque, one of […]
more…24 Nov, 2014
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to perform at Nobel Peace Prize Concert
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 24 November 2014 (02 Safar 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]
more…24 Nov, 2014
Glimmer of Hope for Thailand: Uptick in Oct marks first monthly arrivals growth in 2014
Bangkok – A 67% surge in arrivals from China helped Thailand record an overall growth of 6.14% in visitors in October, the first month of positive growth this year. It was the first glimmer of hope that the third-quarter 2014 will generate an uptick, if not an outright upturn, in visitor arrivals and help Thailand […]
more…24 Nov, 2014
Muslims, Buddhists team up to bring about peace for Rohingya | The Jakarta Post
Muslims and Buddhists in Indonesia are joining forces to push for conflict resolution in Myanmar, where the Rohingya Muslim minority has been persecuted and denied citizenship for more than three decades. Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said that in collaboration with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Council of Buddhist Communities (Walubi), […]
more…24 Nov, 2014
Foreign workers in demand amid tourism surge | The Japan Times
Demand for foreign workers has been strong in Japan over the past few years as the number of foreign tourists rises and an increasing number of domestic companies aim to expand their business abroad. Since its establishment in 2004, Globalpower Inc., a Tokyo-based staffing agency specializing in foreign nationals, especially those with strong Japanese-language skills, […]
more…24 Nov, 2014
Thailand: Malls here, malls there, malls everywhere – The Nation
The proliferation of shopping malls here has reduced entertainment to acquisition, success to greed, interaction to purchasing, and humans to mere buyers and sellers. Our mall culture has sown the value of money and material things as absolute. Everything can be measured by the act of consumption. It is, in turn, providing a fertile petri […]
more…23 Nov, 2014
Spotlight on safe havens for corrupt Chinese officials
Washington DC, (China Daily) 2014-11-21 – The United States has been waging wars all over the world trying to deny safe haven to extreme terrorists. But to many Chinese, the US itself has for too long been a safe haven for a large group of bad guys – corrupt Chinese officials on the run. These […]
more…23 Nov, 2014
UK employers told to look out for the signs of domestic violence – The Independent
In the advice from the Government’s health agency, managers will be asked to spot sudden shifts in behaviour, or changes to clothing and appearance which may disguise bruising, and are to be encouraged to approach staff sensitively and offer help. One in four women and one in six men experience domestic violence at some point […]
more…23 Nov, 2014
Broadway hotel fined a couple £100 for bad review on Tripadvisor — The Guardian
The Broadway, a labyrinthine budget hotel in Blackpool’s South Shore area, made international news this week, when it emerged it had charged a couple from Cumbria £100 for slagging it off on TripAdvisor. Tony and Jan Jenkinson found the charge on their credit card bill after describing the hotel as a “FILTHY, DIRTY ROTTEN STINKING […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
Denial is not a cure for historical abuse, truth is – Hindustan Times
History should not extend itself into the present and colour our evaluations of a people today. For example, we don’t need to settle scores with today’s British for the actions of their ancestors. And furthermore, if Indian Christians are not blamed for British excesses just because the British happened to be Christians, why should Indian […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
Modi, I will remain RSS swayamsevaks: Rajnath – Hindustan Times
Asked about the RSS, which is seen as the spiritual and ideological guide of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said, “RSS is not an external force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I are both from the RSS. Where is the question of RSS influence? “The PM and I will remain RSS swayamsevaks all our […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
2002 Gujarat riots: US court seeks response to objections over PM Modi’s immunity | The Indian Express
A US court has asked the State Department to respond by December 10 to the objections raised by a rights group over the immunity granted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with a lawsuit filed against him for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The American Justice Center (AJC) had filed a […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
‘Papal visit can help bring peace to Mindanao’ | Manila Bulletin
Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad yesterday said the forthcoming apostolic visit of Pope Francis to the country “as an opportunity to bring peace in Mindanao.” In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Jumoad said that even if the Pope will not visit Mindanao, “the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan hopes that the historic visit will finally […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
Asia Times Online: A U.S. General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Why We Lost: A General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, by Daniel P Bolger “I am a United States Army general, and I lost the Global War on Terrorism,” Lieutenant-General Daniel Bolger begins his history of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “It’s like Alcoholics Anonymous; step one is admitting you have a […]
more…22 Nov, 2014
BBC News – Women bosses ‘more depressed’ than male counterparts
Women are more likely than men to display symptoms of depression when in a position of authority at work, according to US scientists. In men, authority, such as the ability to hire and fire people, decreases depressive symptoms, the study said. The study, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, looked at 2,800 […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
Fears grow about Hindu ‘Modi-fication’ of education – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Indians were flying aeroplanes, carrying out stem cell research and may even have been using cosmic weapons 5,000 years ago, according to the chairman of India’s leading historical organisation. Professor Y Sudershan Rao, the head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, has been criticized by fellow historians for comments that Hindu epics […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
UCLA students vote in favor of Israel divestment – Haaretz
The UCLA undergraduate student government passed a resolution that calls for the University of California to divest from American companies that are accused of abusing Palestinian human rights. The student government passed the divestment resolution by a vote of 8 to 2, with two abstentions on Tuesday night. The passing vote comes nine months after […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
Woman opens professional cuddling shop – The Independent
Professional cuddler Samantha Hess has opened a pro cuddling shop, where for $60 customers can get an hour’s worth of spooning and “the level of human contact that we want or need in order to be our optimal selves.” Located in Portland, Oregon, the shop is called Cuddle Up To Me and is already very […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
India set to become the next lackey of Israel
While every other ally of Israel has distanced itself from Israel’s policies after its offensive in Gaza this summer – especially on settlements – India has pledged to strengthen its relations with the country. A visit by India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Israel this month became an chance for India to proclaim its steadfast […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
Men fall in love faster than women, but wait longer to say so, survey finds – The Independent
Men appear to be shier than women when it comes to confessing their love to a new partner, but get that fuzzy feeling faster than women, according to new research. While women typically say ‘I love you’ three months earlier than men, it is actually men who succumb to love sooner– on an average of […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
Chinese commentary: US policies creating a time bomb in Asia-Pacific
Beijing, 2014-11-21, Chinadaily.com – Washington’s persistence in pushing its pivot to Asia strategy reveals the fragility of US power and its Cold War mentality Prior to his departure from the recently concluded G20 Summit in Australia, US President Barack Obama, in a speech at the University of Queensland on Saturday, stressed that the Asia-Pacific region […]
more…21 Nov, 2014
New research opens door for travel & tourism to demand answers for failed “war on terror”
The Global Terrorism Index 2014 (GTI), released earlier this week, will provide the travel & tourism industry with powerful research to challenge the conventional wisdoms on the “war on terror” and start pursuing alternative perspectives. The report provides statistics clearly showing that nearly 15 years after 9-11 attacks, the trillions of dollars spent on combatting […]
more…20 Nov, 2014
Beware of cover for making anti-Muslim bigotry respectable – Sydney Morning Herald
In the case of contemporary anti-Muslim feeling, there are frequently racialised elements. Religion can be used as a surrogate for race. When we see verbal and other attacks against Muslim Australians, it is often accompanied by a nastiness that resembles racial hatred. Anti-Muslim sentiment can be based on negative racial stereotypes about people from the […]
more…20 Nov, 2014
A view of India based on hatred – Vir Sanghvi, Hindustan Times
But that doesn’t explain the rancour, the viciousness of the responses and the bitterness displayed by many of those attacking Nehru and especially by the angry army of abusive trolls on social media who spend their days posting abuse all the way from Vancouver to Versova. That anger stems from two entirely separate factors. The […]
more…20 Nov, 2014
Uber executive stirs up privacy controversy – The Washington Post
An Uber executive’s suggestion that the company should investigate the private lives of journalists has sparked a backlash against the popular car service, offering a potent reminder that tech companies are amassing detailed — and potentially embarrassing — records of users’ communications, Internet traffic and even physical movements. The controversy stemmed from remarks by Uber […]
more…19 Nov, 2014
The Right-wing route is wrong – Hindustan Times
The current flavour of the month for the chatteratti is the 125th birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. For the media, ‘Breaking News’ is generating a debate on why the Congress has not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to its international seminar on Nehru’s worldview and legacy. The government of […]
more…18 Nov, 2014
Diabetes growing rapidly in GCC region | GulfNews.com
Dubai: Despite a slew of diabetes health awareness campaigns, the prevalence of the disease is soaring as the globe observes World Diabetes Day today. Type 2 diabetes is caused due to a decadent lifestyle and bad nutrition and the rate is not only climbing but it is expected to get far worse in the Middle […]
more…18 Nov, 2014
£10 charge to be introduced for up to 5.5m visitors to the UK, Labour says – The Guardian
Labour will seek to beef up its pitch to voters on immigration with a pledge to pay for 1,000 extra border guards by imposing a charge on visitors from the US and 55 other countries. Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, will criticise other parties for engaging in an “arms race of rhetoric” on the issue, […]
more…18 Nov, 2014
Asia Times Online: The siege of Julian Assange is a farce
The siege of Knightsbridge is a farce. For two years, an exaggerated, costly police presence around the Ecuadorean embassy in London has served no purpose other than to flaunt the power of the state. Their quarry is an Australian charged with no crime, a refugee from gross injustice whose only security is the room given […]
more…18 Nov, 2014
UK Budget cuts forcing cuts in school student exchange trips – The Independent
Whether a joyful summer away from the prying eyes of parents, or a tedious fortnight in a dreary provincial town, foreign exchanges have been a rite of passage for generations of British teenagers. But many children today are missing out on the mind-expanding opportunities offered by language and cultural exchanges, as budget cuts and safety […]
more…18 Nov, 2014
Facebook, Google and Apple lobby for curb to NSA surveillance – The Guardian
A coalition of technology and internet companies is lobbying to curb US National Security Agency surveillance powers and for more transparency on government data requests. The Reform Government Surveillance coalition, including Facebook, Google, Twitter, Microsoft and Apple, added its support for the race to pass a bill through the US Senate before the end of […]
more…17 Nov, 2014
Istanbul’s giant mosque to be “women-friendly,” architects say
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 17 November 2014 (24 Muharram 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
16 Indian political parties to observe Dec 6 as communal harmony day in Bengal – The Times of India
KOLKATA: Sixteen Left parties on Sunday decided to observe Dec 6 – the day when the 16th century Babri mosque was destroyed in 1992 – as communal harmony and unity day across West Bengal by bringing out rallies and holding street corners. Making the announcement after a meeting of the Left parties, Communist Party of […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
Phone use may lead to brain cancer | The Indian Express
The longer someone talks over the phone – in terms of hours and years – the more likely is he/she to develop glioma, a deadly form of brain cancer, says a new study. Brain tumour rates were three times more among people, who spoke on cell or cordless phones after more than 25 years than […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
Israel bars outspoken Norwegian doctor from entering Gaza – The Independent
Israel has barred a Norwegian doctor from entering the Gaza Strip through its territory after he severely criticised its military campaign while volunteering at a Gaza hospital during the devastating conflict over the summer. There was no immediate Israeli confirmation of Norwegian media reports that Dr Mads Gilbert, a trauma surgeon and far-left political activist, […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
Israel denies Colombian foreign minister entry to Ramallah – Haaretz
Israel denied this week a request by Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin to visit Ramallah. According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry in Bogota, Israel would only permit Holguin to visit Ramallah if she agreed to visit Jerusalem on the same visit to the region. A senior official in the Israeli Foreign Ministry […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
PAL targets to be a five-star airline, starts NY flights March 15 – Manila Bulletin
Over the medium term, Philippine Airlines (PAL) targets to be one of the best in the world, with a five-star rating, from being a three-star today, as it focuses on a handful of American cities, beefs up both international and regional destinations via code-shares and expand in the local market. At the same time, the […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
In Pictures: ‘We are all Palestinians’ – Al Jazeera English
In attempting to develop links across Palestine’s fragmented geography, the second edition of “Qalandia International” – Palestine’s contemporary arts biennial – undoubtedly faced challenges. Whether the festival should even take place, given the recent bombardment of Gaza, was brought into question before this year’s launch in Ramallah. Yet, the organising committee decided the festival should […]
more…16 Nov, 2014
The Saffronization of India | Arab News
Muharram has for centuries been one of the most secular events in the subcontinent. Some of the finest lines hailing the sacrifice of Hussain may Allah be pleased with him have been penned by Hindu poets. Back home in Hyderabad, Hindu families turn up in large numbers to watch and take part in the procession, […]
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