Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

Author Archive

29 Dec, 2011

Corruption Leading To Unequal Access, Use And Distribution Of Land – UN Report

Dec 12 2011 (UN News) — Corruption caused by weak governance is leading to unequal land distribution and poor resource management, according to a United Nations report released today, which argues that this lack of transparency is undermining social stability, investment and growth in developing countries. Weak land governance occurs as a result of low […]

more…

29 Dec, 2011

Ban Urges Alliance Of Civilizations To Fight Extremism, Promote Tolerance

Dec 11 2011 (UN News) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged members of the Alliance of Civilizations today to combat extremism and promote tolerance at a time when universal values are being tested in many parts of the world, particularly in countries undergoing political transitions. “Again and again, we are reminded that our differences are nothing […]

more…

29 Dec, 2011

UN Unveils Education Initiative Connecting Mobile Phones To The Classroom

Dec 12 2011 (UN News) — With mobile telephone access reaching over five billion of the world’s population, the United Nations educational agency today announced the launch of an initiative to harness the technology and bring mobile phone use into the classroom. In a statement issued in Paris, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization […]

more…

29 Dec, 2011

UN Mobile App Lets Users Calculate Size Of Carbon Footprint

Dec 13 2011 (UN News) — A new United Nations mobile telephone application released today lets users calculate their carbon footprint, visualize its equivalent in a particular ecosystem, and learn new ways in which they can reduce their emissions through specific actions. Through the so-called Blue and REDD Carbon application, users can input the details […]

more…

29 Dec, 2011

UN Issues First Report On Human Rights Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender People

Dec 15 2011 (UN News) — The first ever United Nations report on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people details how around the world people are killed or endure hate-motivated violence, torture, detention, criminalization and discrimination in jobs, health care and education because of their real or perceived sexual orientation […]

more…

29 Dec, 2011

UN Launches Decade On Biodiversity To Stem Loss Of Species, Ecosystems

Dec 17 2011 (UN News) — The United Nations today launched the Decade on Biodiversity with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging humanity to live in harmony with nature and to preserve and properly manage its riches for the prosperity of current and future generations. “Ensuring truly sustainable development for our growing human family depends on biological […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Tips to Save Your Marriage from Holiday Stress, and Divorce

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 26, 2011 — Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil, PhD, author of Make Up Don’t Break Up, warns couples that they must “holiday proof” their marriage and family in these economically challenging times. The tips she provides in this release can save your family from being the next peril of divorce. “Holiday […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Trust & Transparency Critical To Business Success in 2012 – Marketing Expert

Portsmouth, NH (PRWEB) December 28, 2011 – According to the 2011 Edelman Trust Barometer ®, consumers are becoming increasingly distrustful of businesses. When asked “How much do you trust business to do what is right?” only 46% of respondents replied positively. Among the top 10 largest economies, this ranks the United States just 5 points […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

New Year Resolution for Parents – ‘Teach Money Management Lessons to Your Kids’

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 28, 2011 — The National Financial Educators Council, a social enterprise organization whose mission is to improve the financial capability of people globally, suggests that parents make a New Year’s resolution to teach money management lessons to their kids. To assist parents in opening up the lines of communication with […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Tips to Avoid a Holiday Heart Attack

(PRWEB) December 26, 2011 — It’s a tragic fact: heart attacks peak the day after Christmas and on New Year’s Day. USA Today reports that it’s a problem throughout the entire season: more people die of heart attacks in the winter than during any other time of year (http://on.wzzm.com/tmgWTM). And although doctors don’t have an […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

JWT’s 100 Things to Watch in 2012

(PRWEB) December 26, 2011 New York, NY: JWT, which claims to be the world’s best-known marketing communications brand, today released its list of 100 Things to Watch in 2012. “Many of the items on our list reflect broader economic, environmental, technological and social developments we’ve been tracking, while others have potential to ladder up to […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Tips For Visiting Elderly Parents This Holiday Season

San Rafael, CA (PRWEB) December 25, 2011 — Terri Abelar, CEO and founder of Aging Solutions, Inc. (http://www.agingsolutions.com), a client-centered care management company for the care of elderly and disabled adults has released the Eldercare Reality Check: Look, Listen and Pause just in time for the holidays, when thousands of adult children will be visiting […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Six Simple Steps for a Healthier New Year

NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Each new year brings the thought of resolutions, many of which last little more than a few weeks. “Life in the new year will be lived the way it is designed,” says Debra Duneier, certified eco-designer, feng shui master practitioner and author of EcoChi: Designing the Human Experience […]

more…

28 Dec, 2011

Bangkok, Singapore Top New Year’s Party Spots in Asia

NORWALK, Conn. and SINGAPORE, Dec. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) and agoda.com today released their lists of top destinations for ringing in 2012. New York City’s Times Square is the #1 destination for U.S. revelers, and it marks the first time in seven years that New York City has edged Las Vegas for […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Gulfnews : Experts warn of worse financial crisis in 2012

Abu Dhabi: A new global financial crisis is in the making and could unleash its fury as early as 2012, a year when bond rollovers in the US, Asia and Europe worth a combined $6.5 trillion (Dh23.87 trillion) are due, experts warn. The Eurozone sovereign debt crisis has entered a critical new phase with France’s […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Japan government debt poised to hit all-time high ¥937 trillion in 2012 | The Japan Times Online

The outstanding balance of central and local government debt at the end of fiscal 2012 is expected to rise to an all-time high of ¥937 trillion, the government said Saturday, leaving Japan with the worst fiscal health among major developed countries. The total debt will be equivalent to 195 percent of Japan’s gross domestic product, […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Japan Economy sees first signs of nasty drop | The Japan Times Online

For two decades now, Japan has managed to endure the economic downturn largely because the slope felt so gentle. But in recent months, with the record-strong yen cutting sales and profits of major exporters, the world’s third-largest economy is seeing the first signs of a nastier drop. via Economy sees first signs of nasty drop […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

EU Gives €700 Million For Tackling Hunger, Child Mortality, Maternal Health, And Access To Water

Brussels, 21 December 2011 – Today, the European Commission announced additional funding for projects targeting the most off-track Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 36 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. This additional funding will focus on reducing hunger and child mortality and securing better maternal health and drinking water and sanitation facilities. With today’s decision the […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Georgetown University Professor Calls for Attack on Iran

With the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq winding down and the United States facing economic hardship at home, Americans have little appetite for further strife. Yet Iran’s rapid nuclear development will ultimately force the United States to choose between a conventional conflict and a possible nuclear war. Faced with that decision, the United States should […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Developing Countries to Receive Over $350 Billion in Remittances in 2011, Says World Bank Report

Geneva, December 1, 2011 (World Bank Update) – Remittance flows to developing countries are expected to total $351 billion this year, and worldwide remittances, including those to high-income countries, will reach $483 billion [corrected from $406 billion on December 5] for the current calendar year, according to a newly updated World Bank brief on global […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Intellectual Property Filings Worldwide Rebound in 2010 Despite Economic Turmoil

Geneva, December 20, 2011 — A new report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization today shows that intellectual property (IP) filings worldwide rebounded strongly in 2010 after a considerable decline in 2009. The recovery in IP filings was stronger than the overall economic recovery. Patent and trademark filings grew by 7.2% and 11.8% respectively […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

10 E-Tips For Older Adults to Become or Remain Healthy in 2012

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) December 19, 2011 — The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry, searches health-and-wellness research studies every year to find the most relevant to adults ages 50-plus. This year ICAA has sorted through these studies to compile a list of tips that […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Healthier Employees Can Lead to a Healthier Bottom Line in 2012

Euless, Texas (PRWEB) December 19, 2011 — It’s time to begin thinking about New Year’s resolutions and for individuals, the resolutions typically involve ways to improve their health. For business owners, the resolutions often focus on ways to improve the bottom line. Interestingly enough, these two resolutions have a lot in common, according to Johnette […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

“Occupy Wall Street: A Holiday Survival Guide”

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) December 19, 2011 — Thousands of Occupy Wall Street sympathizers will soon return home and be asked to explain themselves and their cause to the ones they love. Goldenbear Productions has released “Occupy Wall Street: A Holiday Survival Guide,” a comedic short that simplifies the complexities of Occupy Wall Street. This video […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

81% Of Women Hit On At Company Parties

Austin, TX (PRWEB) December 19, 2011 — In a recent survey conducted by WorkingMomsOnly.com, 81% of women surveyed had been hit on by a co-worker at some type of company holiday gathering. The survey reports that more than 86% of the women were surprised by the actions of the co-worker and more than 60% reported […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Millennials Will Determine the Future of Companies

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 20, 2011 — The generation that was born from around 1984 to 2002 has been deemed the “Millennials,” only after a slew of other names such as generation Y, generation next, and echo boomers. They started the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, are the most ethnically diverse, and regard smart phones, Facebook, […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Five Tips for Competitive Intelligence Managers

(PRWEB) December 22, 2011 — The New Year is the perfect time to reflect on milestones, refresh your CI strategy and resolve to find new and better ways to manage your intelligence process. The competitive landscape is in constant flux and to keep pace we need to adapt how we anticipate and respond to developments […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Online Hiring Demand for Mobile Marketers Grows 16%

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 20, 2011 — Over the past 90 days, employers and staffing firms have placed more than 4,400 job ads for Marketers with mobile skill sets, according to WANTED Analytics™ (http://www.wantedanalytics.com),  a company that provides real-time business intelligence for the talent marketplace. The volume of job ads that include mobile criteria […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Research Unveils Diversity of Emotions Driving Holiday Shoppers

Lexington, Massachusetts (PRWEB) December 20, 2011 — New research by Forbes Consulting Group (http://www.forbesconsulting.com/) reveals that while many shoppers are turning out this holiday season, the emotions that drive them to stores differ greatly from person to person. Results from the study using the company’s proprietary applied neuroscience technology, MindSight®, has revealed a unique shopper […]

more…

25 Dec, 2011

Holiday Shopping Tips for Parents to Teach Kids Personal Finance Lessons

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 21, 2011 — The holiday shopping time can provide parents an excellent opportunity to begin teaching personal finance lessons to their children. Most parents never provide their children with a practical financial education and the consequences are serious: stress, worry and emotional strain that are caused by financial insecurity. The […]

more…

21 Dec, 2011

A Must-Read Book For The Travel & Tourism Industry in 2012, U.S. Election Year

Editor’s Note: 2012 will be an election year in the United States and a critical year for the world at large. The travel & tourism industry will be significantly affected by the many geopolitical and economic events and developments sure to unfold next year. In an era of shifting global balance of power, it is […]

more…

21 Dec, 2011

How Plants & Fruits From Amazon Forests Can Improve Diets and Livelihoods

20 December 2011, Rome (FAO Media Release) – A new study by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization released today shows how plants and fruits from Amazonian forests can be used to improve people’s diets and livelihoods. The book — which is written in easy-to-grasp, accessible language — seeks to take science out of the […]

more…

21 Dec, 2011

Muslim Religious Leaders Sue U.S. Airline Over Removal from Flight

Attorneys from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and United Firm of Carolina Law (UFC Law) have filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines for removing two Islamic religious leaders, or imams, from a flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charlotte, N.C., in May 2011 after the pilot refused to fly with […]

more…

17 Dec, 2011

Standing Ovation For Palestinian Leader As Flag Is Raised At UNESCO

PARIS, December 13 (UNESCO Media release) – The Palestinian flag was raised at UNESCO’s Headquarters on December 13 to mark the admission of Palestine to the Organization. The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova, the President of the General Conference Katalin Bogyay, the Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board Alissandra […]

more…

16 Dec, 2011

World Economic Forum Report Cites Danger of “Widespread Public Mistrust”

The rich man’s club known as the World Economic Forum has finally awoken to the unpredictable, unstable and insecure world its own elitist members have helped create. A report entitled “Outlook on the Global Agenda 2012” released on 12 December 2011 talks about the “rollback of globalisation,” the possibility of more civil and social unrest, […]

more…

12 Dec, 2011

Lessons in Leadership from the World’s Last Great Head of State

Everything, they say in Thailand, amounts to destiny. It was perhaps destiny that Thailand marked two events on Dec 5 – the start of clean-up campaigns after one of the worst natural disasters in Thai history and the auspicious 84th birthday of King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch, who more than four decades […]

more…

11 Dec, 2011

Thais paying the price of hearing but not heeding the King’s words

Originally Published: 11 December 2011 Everything, they say in Thailand, is destiny. It was perhaps destiny that Thailand marked two major events on Dec 5 – the start of clean-up campaigns after one of the worst natural disasters in Thai history and the auspicious 84th birthday of His Majesty the King, the world’s longest reigning […]

more…

8 Dec, 2011

Another Gulf Conflict “Just a Matter of Time” – Chinese Media Comment

When chief executives of international travel organisations and the airline industry decide to stop fretting and fuming over the UK Air Passenger Duty, they may wish to heed a warning from an official Chinese newspaper that an Israel-US-European attack on Iran is “just a matter of time.” A commentary published in the publication “People’s Daily” […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

The Cost of War: 18 U.S. Military Veteran Suicides Per Day

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) December 06, 2011 — Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) told the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health a decade of war has placed unprecedented demands and stressors on the nation’s warriors and their families that will challenge health systems serving the military for generations to come. René Campos, MOAA […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Civil Society Call to Oppose “False Solutions”, Mobilise For Río+20 And Beyond

Durban, December 5, 2011 (JubileeSouth) – Social movements and networks from throughout the Americas and beyond, including among them Jubilee South/Americas, launched from the midst of the People’s Space convened in Durban, South Africa, in parallel to the ongoing UNFCCC climate negotiations, a Call to popular movements and organizations around the world to join together in […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Occupy DC Protester Runs Full-Page Ad Challenging Obama to Debate

Washington D.C. (PRWEB) December 05, 2011 — Inspired by participating in the Occupy DC movement, and after almost 2 years spent developing a better solution to the issue of high premiums and swelling ranks of uninsured than Obamacare, Glenn Morton is attempting something never before tried by a non-political American: directly confronting a sitting United […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Seven Best Practices to Create Smarter Ads

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 06, 2011 — New Benchmark research by MediaMind reveals that users are 2.5 times more likely to engage with ads that performed in the top 25%, with a Dwell Rate of 16%, as compared to ads in the Benchmark average. The bottom 25% of ads achieves a Dwell Rate of […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

“Free Shipping” Promotions Soar Week of Black Friday

New York, New York (PRWEB) December 01, 2011 — eDataSource, a proven provider of strategic intelligence for businesses looking to advance their digital marketing and e-commerce strategies, today released figures (http://bit.ly/vQamkT) showing a significant jump in “Free Shipping” offers across email, Twitter and Facebook messages during the week of Black Friday. Moreover, Twitter promotions were […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Ex-Chairman of Congressional Terrorism Panel Urges Senate to Defend Constitutional Liberties

Alexandria, Virginia (PRWEB) December 01, 2011 — Today, James S. Gilmore III, former Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess the Domestic Response Capabilities involving Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction (http://www.usasecure.org/resources-industry.php), denounced the provisions of the Defense Authorization Bill that would enable the U.S. Military to detain individuals suspected of terrorist activities inside […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

32% of Businesses Cite ‘Lack of Time’ as Biggest Social Media Challenge

Portsmouth (PRWEB) December 05, 2011 — Red Rocket Media, a specialist content marketing agency, surveyed marketing professionals across a wide range of sectors and found that 32% of businesses cited ‘lack the time’ as their biggest social media challenge, closely followed by 28% who cited ‘creating original content’. Others included: deciding what to say (17%), […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Debate: Sino-US ties – chinadaily.com.cn

American people will thus have to greet the New Year worrying that their country will loose more coveted positions on the international stage, which will aggravate their already pessimistic views on their economy. US President Barack Obama has a close-to-zero chance of fulfilling his pledge of reindustrializing his country before his term ends, and the […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

Time for US to make plans for the future – chinadaily.com.cn

Increasingly, Americans are blaming the government for the lack of any long-term plan, pointing to the country’s crumbling infrastructure such as airports, highways and railways, declining education quality and lack of industrial policy. On the other hand, the US is not totally without planning. It does have a plan, and a grand one at that, […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

India To Host Ministers Of Mekong-Ganga Countries

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (NNN-IANS) — In a boost to its Look East policy, India will host the meeting of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation grouping that will bring together foreign ministers of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia here later this month to explore ways to boost economic and cultural linkages in the region. The ministerial meeting […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

An irrelevant superpower | Opinion | DAWN.COM

Moral power stems from the natural attraction of an entity’s cultural, political and economic prowess which encourages others to voluntarily follow it without the use of the other powers. This is the arena where America’s stock has depreciated the most. As the world discovers America’s gridlocked and money-dominated political system, its ecologically damaging, socially unequal […]

more…

6 Dec, 2011

How to Prevent Travel & Tourism From Falling Victim to Global Crises

BANGKOK – An exclusive report produced by Travel Impact Newswire has identified a significant disconnect between the development agendas being pursued by global leaders and the travel/tourism industry. Unless and until this disconnect is narrowed, or plugged entirely, travel & tourism will continue falling victim to the repeated global crises, the report warns.

more…

28 Nov, 2011

Airlines Forget Agents’ Role In Their Success – Indian Travel Agent

P.Sampath Kumar, National General Secretary, TAFI

Long gone are the days when Agents valued “IATA Accreditation” which had some meaning, respect and value. Today being an IATA Accredited Agent has just become a symbol of torture unending.

more…

28 Nov, 2011

Indian Travel Agents Plan Life After IATA Accreditation Status

MACAU — The Indian head of an aviation consultancy has called on Indian travel agents to move beyond talking about change and focus instead on the challenge of change. That comment set the scene for a boisterous discussion amongst members of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) about preparing for life after the “unending […]

more…

27 Nov, 2011

Time for those at the top to start listening to those at the bottom

Originally Published: 27 November 2011 On 21 November, the Paris-based Organisation of Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) released a report called “Perspectives on Global Development: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World.” In essence, the report sought to prove that while economic growth in developing countries and emerging-market economies has been strong, it has also been […]

more…

24 Nov, 2011

A Day To Be Consigned To The History Books

Nanda Krairiksh and Moni Pizani

Violence against women and girls is still one of the world’s most widespread human rights violations. It affects women of all ages, races, cultures, and social backgrounds and it happens everywhere: at home and at work, on the streets and in schools, in times of peace and during and after conflict.

more…

23 Nov, 2011

UN Chief Urges Asia To Lead On Global Issues

Bali, Nov 19 2011 (UN News Centre) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today challenged the Asia and Pacific region to assume global leadership on issues of international concern, including climate change, sustainable development, access to food and energy, human rights and the empowerment of women. “Now is the moment for Asia, and ASEAN (Association of […]

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Young Americans See China as Threat, Feel U.S. Global Leadership Ebbing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Generation Opportunity, which claims to be “one of the largest and fastest growing grassroots organizations in the nation”, released results from its national poll exploring how America’s young adults view the world, the American economy, and their personal futures. The Generation Opportunity poll focuses specifically on young Americans ages […]

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Efforts To Prevent And Treat HIV/AIDS Are “Yielding Positive Results”

Nov 21, 2011 – Global efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS are showing optimistic results, but transformative efforts are needed to accelerate progress, according to the latest report released today by the United Nations agency leading the fight against the disease.

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Greenhouses Gases in Atmosphere at “Record High” – World Met Organisation

World Meteorological Organization

GENEVA, 21 November 2011 (WMO) –The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new high in 2010 since pre-industrial time and the rate of increase has accelerated, according to the World Meteorological Organization’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. It focussed special attention on rising nitrous oxide concentrations.

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Airline Offers Tips To Facilitate Passenger Flow During Peak Holiday Travel

SEATTLE, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — To prevent anticipation of the busy holiday travel season, Alaska Airlines offers the following tips, all very useful for other airlines to copy in communicating with passengers during peak travel seasons worldwide:

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Five Ways to Cut Back on Debt on Black Friday

Washington, DC (PRWEB) November 21, 2011 — For many, shopping on Black Friday has become as much of a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling advises consumers to shop smart by planning ahead. Following are five steps consumers should take before hitting the stores on Black Friday,

more…

23 Nov, 2011

Reducing Food Waste During the Holiday Season And Beyond

10 Simple Steps from the Worldwatch Institute we all can take to help make this holiday season less wasteful and more plentiful.

more…

22 Nov, 2011

Media Coverage of the Thai Floods: Here We Go Again

Imtiaz Muqbil & Don Ross

It did not take long for the floods in Thailand to reignite the déjà vu debate over media reporting of the crisis. While the raging waters have washed out a huge swathe of territory across Bangkok and a number of Thailand’s economically vital central provinces, the rest of the country, including the key tourism centres […]

more…

22 Nov, 2011

Trades Union Decry “Inhuman Working Conditions” Behind Gulf Miracle

The awarding of the 2022 World Cup football extravaganza to Qatar has allowed the global trades union movement to jack up pressure on the Gulf states to safeguard the rights of the hundreds of thousands of migrant labourers who endure “inhuman working conditions” in building the gleaming new hotels, convention centres and airports. A report, […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

U.S. Companies Impacted by European Crisis

(PRWEB) November 20, 2011 – Manufacturers of drugs, clothes, solar panels, computer equipment, and cars in the United States have reported effects of the ongoing financial turmoil and upheaval in Europe. Though the consequences have been limited as of now, companies, investors, and consumers seem to be rattled by the sudden developments in the Euro […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

Aviation, Eco-taxes Needed To Force Shift to A Green Economy, UNEP report

At the Nov 7-10 World Travel Market in London, travel industry leaders took a strong stand against a carbon emissions tax facing the aviation industry. Although their argument focussed on the impact this would have on air-fares and the aviation sector, a flagship UN report on the state of the global environment issued on Nov […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

Protesters open ‘Bank of Ideas’ – The Independent

Economic justice campaigners who have occupied an abandoned office block opened it to the public today as the “Bank of Ideas”. The Occupy London group, who have also occupied space outside St Paul’s Cathedral and Finsbury Square in Islington, north London, have organised a series of events to mark the opening. Fashion designer Dame Vivienne […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

Yawn Again? Is this year’s Boring conference too interesting? – The Independent

The organiser of this year’s Boring conference – a London gathering dedicated to the delights of the mundane, obvious and overlooked – has a problem. He is worried it is in danger of being too interesting. Such was the success of the inaugural event last year that the series of talks has attracted a line […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

US will not surrender its status as global power: Panetta – Indian Express

Faced with the prospect of a massive defence cut in the wake of weak economic conditions in the country, American Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has asserted that the US will never surrender its status as a global power and a global leader. “As we examine our geographic priorities, it’s important to remember that we can […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

A sudden rush for the exit? – SMH

THE lock step between the major political parties over Australia’s continued presence in Afghanistan has effectively neutralised the war’s potential to politically damage successive Liberal and Labor governments. So far. But sniff the political wind today and you might just smell the potential for change. Afghanistan remains an immensely unpopular war with Australians. Thirty-two Australian […]

more…

20 Nov, 2011

Minor drop in number of Indians studying in the US – Hindustan Times

India continues to be the second largest source of international students in the US. A reverse growth of sorts is happening too, with the number of American students studying in India growing by a whopping 44.4% from 2690 last year to 3884, according to Open Doors 2011, the annual report on international academic mobility published […]

more…

17 Nov, 2011

The west is in danger of frittering away its freedom – FT.com

The US, founded on the principle of liberty, may have a propensity to go to extremes and push the pendulum too far. America’s murder rate, for example, is three times higher than China’s. But it is in economics where this glut of freedom is most obvious. In the name of efficiency, western capital markets have […]

more…

17 Nov, 2011

gulfnews : Saudi prince warns against any attack on Iran

A military attack on Iran aimed at halting its nuclear programme could have catastrophic consequences and only strengthen Tehran’s determination to make an atomic weapon, the former head of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence services said on Tuesday. “Such an act I think would be foolish and to undertake it I think would be tragic,” Prince Turki […]

more…

17 Nov, 2011

Fake terror plots, paid informants: the tactics of FBI ‘entrapment’ questioned | World news | guardian.co.uk

Williams and three other struggling local men beset by drug, criminal and mental health issues were convicted of an Islamic terrorist plot to blow up Jewish synagogues and shoot down military jets with missiles. Even more shocking was that the organisation, money, weapons and motivation for this plot did not come from real Islamic terrorists. […]

more…

17 Nov, 2011

As the American dream unravels – Opinion – Al Jazeera English

Something is unravelling in America. The dream, the purpose and the drive are worn and tired. The people are under siege. Occupy Wall Street is organic; it’s homegrown and native. The voluntary, viral and near-spontaneous movement began as a reaction to a political system governed by a venal class of politicians and financiers. The story […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Global Experts Poll: Crisis of Confidence in Global Economy Continues

World Economic Forum

The confidence deficit continues worldwide with international experts remaining pessimistic about the state of the global economy and global governance over the next year, according to the results of the World Economic Forum’s second quarterly Global Confidence Index.

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Laurie Penny: I was almost arrested too – but Bloomberg’s tactics can only galvanise protests – Commentators – Opinion – The Independent

Accredited members of the press were refused access to the square and penned where it was impossible to see what was happening. Some were arrested; others had their press passes seized. I narrowly escaped arrest as I was escorted out of the secure zone for having the temerity to update my Twitter feed. At the […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Palestinians embark on series of civil disobedience protests against ‘demographic segregation’ – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

At Hizmeh checkpoint policemen demanded that two of the riders get off the bus, but they refused. The next effort came after the settlers descended, in a parking lot. Policeman dragged Dwak to the steps of the bus, but then left without him. Police officers, of different ranks came and went. Some of them threatened […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

A free and robust press is key to democracy: Fairfax

It is not the job of journalists to be liked or even respected, but to ask the questions people do not want asked, according to Fairfax Media, publisher of this website. It has told the government’s print media inquiry that the relationships between reporters and people in power are fraught, but that is no reason […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

PressTV – ‘Iran attack will paralyze West industries’

An Iranian lawmaker says any form of military action against Iran will cause serious oil supply problems for the West and bring Western industries to complete halt. Mehdi Mehdizadeh, member of the Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Tuesday that Iran has advanced and fortified facilities in the Persian Gulf and […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Verbatim: The Best Press Release Ever Written

Pamela Finmark

The most creative Press release I’ve ever read in my 31 years of covering travel & tourism.

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Palestinian Freedom Riders Forced Off Bus that Serves Jewish-only Settlements

Antonia House, Jewish Voice for Peace

All the Freedom Riders did to warrant arrest was to take a bus from one place in the Occupied Territory to another, using public transportation. While Israelis are allowed to come and go as they wish in the Occupied Territory—even to settle in it in contradiction to international law— Palestinians’ movement in their own land is severely restricted, even criminalized.

more…

16 Nov, 2011

“Average Cost of Civil War Equals 30+ Years of GDP Growth”

International Criminal Court

On 14 November 2011, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Sang-Hyun Song, gave the keynote speech at the opening of the 2011 Law, Justice and Development Week, organized by the World Bank Group in Washington D.C.. Maintaining that the emerging system of international criminal justice is an essential building block for the […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Sanctions on Iran face dead end: Russian FM – People’s Daily Online

MOSCOW, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) — The option of sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear issue has been exhausted, and the problem could only be solved through talks, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday. “Moscow believes the road of sanctions against Iran was dead-ended. To threaten with sanctions and airstrikes can only delay […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Afghanistan’s suffering civilians | Jordan Times

Afghans look to their government and the international forces to protect them, so, when awful mistakes occur, the negative impact is doubled. International forces should therefore continue to strengthen their control systems, particularly with respect to air strikes, in order to minimise the risk of civilian casualties. Reducing and ultimately eliminating civilian casualties in this […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

gulfnews : Witness to an age of transformation

Leading the progress of the UAE since it was established in 1971 was late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who played a major role in visualising the concept of the federation and unity here, said Mohammad Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Shaiba, a prominent Emirati figure from Ajman. Al Shaiba, born in 1923 in […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Souvenirs, security and saccharine for Obama

BLACK HAWK helicopters whomp overhead. The doughnut-per-capita ratio has spiked. And baristas everywhere are dusting off their drip coffee pots. The Americans are coming. To the city they call Can-bear-ah. Presaging the arrival of the US President, Barack Obama, in Air Force One at 15.25 hours today, will be the arrival of the American media […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Chris Hedges: This Is What Revolution Looks Like – Truthdig

Welcome to the revolution. Our elites have exposed their hand. They have nothing to offer. They can destroy but they cannot build. They can repress but they cannot lead. They can steal but they cannot share. They can talk but they cannot speak. They are as dead and useless to us as the water-soaked books, […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

On the booze, but not feeling drunk: 9% of employees drink at work

NEARLY one in 10 people usually use alcohol while they are at work, the first study of drug and alcohol use in Australian workplaces has found. Many people mistakenly believed drinking at work would not damage their performance, said Ken Pidd, the deputy director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction at […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Railway investment falls amid debt pressure – chinadaily.com.cn

China’s railway investment in the first 10 months of this year fell sharply, as the Ministry of Railways (MOR) is facing mounting pressure to pay off creditors. The ministry announced Tuesday that its fixed asset investments reached 429 billion yuan ($68 billion) in the first 10 months of this year, representing a sharp decrease of […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Bangkok Post : Suvarnabhumi arrivals down 25%

The number of tourist arrivals at Suvarnabhumi airport had dropped from an average 130,000 a day to about 100,000 because of foreign tourists’ concerns about the widespread flooding, the airport’s acting director Somchai Sawasdipol said on Tuesday. “They were uncertain about the flood situation and postponed their planned trips to Thailand for the time being,” […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Trumka: Organized labor will continue standing with evicted protesters – The Washington Post

An interesting move here from AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka, who is going out with an email to his list today strongly standing by the protesters who were evicted from Zuccotti Park: They can take away the tarps and the tents. But they can’t slow down the Occupy Wall Street movement. There have been police raids […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Bloomberg’s disgraceful eviction of Occupy Wall Street – The Washington Post

Early Wednesday morning, New York police raided and evicted the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zucotti Park in southern Manhattan. The behavior of the NYPD and the mayor’s office, in ordering this brazen action while blocking the press and the public from reporting on the eviction, is a disgraceful display of unnecessary force on a […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

A Pakistani, a motorcycle and Facebook – DAWN.COM

With a Pakistani and an American passport in his backpack, Moin is travelling from San Francisco, California to Lahore, Pakistan on his Honda F4i. After posting dozens of videos and thousands of pictures on his facebook page “ADifferentAgenda” from the 15 countries he has already conquered in more than a 100 days, a man crashed […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

US tries ‘hip hop’ diplomacy in Pakistan – DAWN.COM

Considered by many Pakistanis to be public enemy number one, the United States on Monday turned to the musical descendents of rap group Public Enemy in an attempt to counter its highly unpopular image in the south Asian nation. As part of its cultural diplomacy programme, the US embassy brought the FEW Collective, a hip-hop […]

more…

16 Nov, 2011

Singer crashes Obama summit with ‘Occupy’ song — chinadaily.com.cn

A popular Hawaiian recording artist turned a top-security dinner of Pacific Rim leaders hosted by President Barack Obama into a subtle protest with a song in support of the “Occupy” movement. Makana, who goes by one name, was enlisted to play a luau, or Hawaiian feast, Saturday night for leaders assembled in Obama’s birthplace Honolulu […]

more…

15 Nov, 2011

“Innovation No Longer Prerogative Of High-Income Countries” – WIPO Report

World Intellectual Property Organization

In a foreword to the Report, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry notes that “innovation growth is no longer the prerogative of high-income countries alone; the technological gap between richer and poorer countries is narrowing.

more…

15 Nov, 2011

Study Shows Potential For Ships To Make Huge Cuts In CO2 Emissions

International Maritime Organization

An IMO-commissioned study into the impact of mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping shows that implementation of the measures will lead to significant reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, specifically reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting from enhanced fuel efficiency.

more…

15 Nov, 2011

UN Urges Action To Help Hundreds Of Millions Of Sufferers Of Diabetes

Nov 14 2011 (UN News Centre) – With almost 350 million people worldwide now suffering from diabetes, and the number expected to keep rising, the United Nations today called on governments and drug companies to ensure that sufferers have the care and treatment they deserve. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon used his address on World Diabetes Day, […]

more…

15 Nov, 2011

East Asia-Pacific children highly vulnerable to climate change impacts

BANGKOK, 14 November 2011 – According to a UNICEF report, Children’s Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Disaster Impacts in East Asia and the Pacific, children will be among those most affected by climate change. Millions of children across East Asia and the Pacific already suffer from a lack of access to clean water and proper […]

more…

15 Nov, 2011

Another war is coming? – People’s Daily Online

It is said that the U.S. Department of Defense has submitted a plan to attack Iran with military force. Will the United States and Israel really carry out military operations against Iran at this time or are they just bluffing to pressure Iran? After strictly, comprehensively and reliably assessing a great amount of information, the […]

more…