11 Jun, 2015
Gulf Expat Workers Sent Home $100 Billion in 2014
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, June 10 (NNN-KUNA) – Foreigners working in the energy-rich Arab states of the Gulf sent more than $100 billion in remittances to their home countries last year, an economic report showed. The figure was twice as high as remittances in 2010, an indication of strong growth, the head of economic research at […]
more…11 Jun, 2015
Israel bars UN Human Rights Rapporteur, an Indonesian, entry to Palestine
RAMALLAH, June 9, 2015 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, in a press statement Tuesday, condemned Israel decision to deny the United Nations Rapporteur on human rights, Makarim Wibisono, entry into the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT). Describing it as a continuation of the numerous Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, the ministry said this decision […]
more…10 Jun, 2015
RAND Corp Report Puts Multi-Billion $ Value on Israel-Palestine Peace and Tourism
Travel & tourism would be a major beneficiary of peace between Israel and Palestine, contributing a projected $760 million increase in GDP for Palestine and $1.1 billion for Israel over a ten-year 2015-2024 period, according to a study release on June 8 by the RAND Corporation, a prominent U.S. think tank. The study says that […]
more…9 Jun, 2015
China, Russia to deepen “Red Tourism” cooperation
BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) — China will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Russia in making more tourism products, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) said Monday. Tourism authorities of the two countries have agreed to hold promotional activities between June 28 to July 1 in central China’s Xiangtan city, hometown of New China’s founder Mao […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Human Rights Organizations Condemn Sheldon Adelson-Organized Anti-BDS Meeting
By Mondoweiss Editors June 5, 2015 – As organizations committed to freedom, justice, and equality for all peoples in Palestine, Israel, and beyond, we believe the meeting that right-wing billionaire Sheldon Adelson is reportedly holding this weekend in Las Vegas to counter the grassroots boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement is the latest evidence of […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Lecture by the President of India: “Tagore & Gandhi: Do They Have Contemporary Relevance for Global Peace?”
New Delhi, President’s Secretariat, 03-June-2015 — The following is the full text of a public lecture by the President of India, Prof Pranab Mukherjee at Uppsala University, Sweden on the topic ‘Tagore & Gandhi: Do They Have Contemporary Relevance for Global Peace?’ Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellency Madam Margot Wallstrom, Foreign Minister of Sweden, Your […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Senior-citizens travel booms in China
BEIJING, (Agencies) 2015-06-08 – When Li Caohua retired in her late 50s, the doctor immediately joined millions of other Chinese seniors and hit the road to see more of her giant country. At the top of her destination list was tropical Hainan island in the south and the ancient villages around her home city of […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
China steps up fight against food waste via carrot-and-stick approach
Beijing (China Daily), 2015-06-02 — As China’s ongoing Clean Your Plate campaign has gained momentum since it began in 2013, many managers of restaurants－especially buffets－say they have consistently been able to meet their goals of stopping food waste. But it hasn’t always been easy. Four guests at the Xiang Wei Qing buffet restaurant in Lanzhou, […]
more…6 Jun, 2015
UN invites world’s seven billion people to become agents of change on World Environment Day
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 June 2015 – With many of the earth’s ecosystems nearing “critical tipping points,” the United Nations invited each of the seven billion people on the planet to mark this year’s World Environment Day by making one change towards a more responsible consumption of resources – “be it refusing to […]
more…5 Jun, 2015
Multinational companies face trust deficit, Trade Union Confederation warns G7
Brussels, 4 June 2015 (ITUC OnLine): Just one in five of people in western economies like France, Germany, the UK and the US agree that corporations can be trusted with their global workforce, according to a new poll commissioned by International Trade Union Confederation. The public opinion poll released on the eve of the G7 […]
more…4 Jun, 2015
Applications invited for Korean Culture and Language Immersion Program
The Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities is seeking applications for participants in the Korean Culture and Language Immersion Program (K-CLIP 2015) to take place from 2 to 15 August at Pusan National University, Busan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. The main purpose of “K-CLIP 2015” is the enhancement of youth exchange and cultivation […]
more…4 Jun, 2015
Animals live by Mahatma Gandhi’s words, humans don’t, Zoo Director says
Sanya, Hainan Island — Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi is famous for his far-sighted dictum, “There is enough in this world for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.” While the human race is notorious for ignoring those insightful words, the animal world has it embedded into its DNA. In a wide-ranging interview at the […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Top 10 uncivilized tourist behaviors revealed in Chinese survey
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-06-03 – Henan province’s tourism administration published a list of the “Top 10 uncivilized tourist behaviors” in a recent survey conducted among 173, 215 people. Among those surveyed, more than 158,000 people (91.72 percent) have encountered uncivilized behavior in tourists, 9,834 (5.68 percent) never have, and 4,514 of them did not know what […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Russia to expand EU travel ban list if West increases sanctions
MOSCOW, June 1 (Xinhua) — Moscow is ready to expand its travel ban list of European Union (EU) officials if the West increases its own blacklist of Russian officials, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday. Moscow will cancel its travel ban list as soon as the West does the same, said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Boost tourism to realise people-centered ASEAN — Malaysian PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia June 2 (NNN-Bernama) — With ASEAN expected to generate a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 trillion (RM11 trillion) by 2017, there is a real opportunity to boost the travel industry and promote intra-region tourism, said Najib Tun Razak. The prime minister said this would enhance appreciation for the respective cultures […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Australian reports reveal how real estate deals are used for criminal money-laundering
Canberra, (AUSTRAC media release / Travel Impact Newswire) 2 June 2015 – The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre AUSTRAC has released two new reports to help businesses identify money laundering methodologies used through real estate agents and lawyers. Although the reports are designed primarily to help Australian businesses beware of this criminal activity, they […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
China pinpoints Ten Key Sectors to drive economy until 2025
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), May 22, 2015 – China’s State Council unveiled a national plan recently, dubbed “Made in China 2025”. It is the first 10-year action plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power. Miao Wei, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, summarized the main […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
Concern for animal welfare spells end of Guangzhou’s dog meat restaurants
Guangzhou, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2015-05-19 – Many dog meat restaurants are no longer to be found in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Guangzhou Daily reported on Monday. The number of shops offering the controversial meat has declined sharply, mainly due to tightened regulations concerning animal welfare. Guangzhou, where eating dog meat has long been a tradition, launched a campaign […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
Half of Chinese college students seek jobs in second-tier cities: Survey
BEIJING (Xinhua), 2015-05-29 –– This year, more than 7.49 million students will graduate from college, and many have voiced concern about seeking employment in such a saturated, competitive market, a survey published Thursday said. The survey, by an organization under the Youth League Committee of Beijing, said graduate’s expected monthly salary this year was 5,510 […]
more…31 May, 2015
Jewish millionaire buys abandoned church to expand Israeli settlements — Haaretz
TEL AVIV, May 28, 2015 (WAFA) – Recent works to renovate an abandoned church in the southern West Bank are aimed at allowing illegal Jewish newcomers to settle in the site, Wednesday revealed the Israeli daily Haaretz. According to the daily, a non-profit organization controlled by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz is the owner of the […]
more…31 May, 2015
Israel to demolish 14 Palestinian-owned homes in Jordan Valley
JERICHO May 28, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities Thursday handed several Palestinian residents eviction and demolition notices of their 14 homes, located in two Palestinian towns in the Jordan Valley area, according to local sources. Israeli forces handed several Palestinians notices notifying them of their intent to demolish their 14 homes. The order gave […]
more…31 May, 2015
Palestinian hotels report 33% drop in guests in Jan-March 2015
RAMALLAH, May 27, 2015 (WAFA) – The number of hotel guests in the first quarter of 2015 was 33% lower than in the first quarter of 2014 and 35% lower than in the previous quarter, said a Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) press release on Wednesday. PCBS said that, during the first quarter of […]
more…31 May, 2015
Will HK’s position as shopping mecca be hurt after mainland’s tax cuts?
HONG KONG, May 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese mainland announced Monday that it will cut import taxes on clothing, cosmetics and some other goods beginning June 1, a move some analysts said might undermine Hong Kong’s position as a shopping mecca. The Ministry of Finance said that it will slash duties by half, on average, on […]
more…31 May, 2015
Seeing green gardens could help boost workers’ productivity, say Aussie researchers
MELBOURNE, May 25 (Xinhua) — Green gardens on city rooftops may not only be good for the environment but boost workers’ productivity too, Australian researchers said on Monday. A University of Melbourne study showed students which took a short 40-second break from a boring task by looking at a green rooftop performed markedly better on […]
more…31 May, 2015
Chinese flock to ‘Morality Bank’ which aims to reward good Samaritans
Changchun, (Xinhua/China Daily), 2015-05-27 – A morality bank in a northeastern Chinese city has seen residents flocking to open accounts that enable them to exchange good deeds for free services. Citizens in Yanji, Jilin province, can accumulate credits with the bank, operated by Danying Community, through tasks such as collecting plastic bags off the streets […]
more…31 May, 2015
U.N. Regional HQ in Bangkok opens Accessibility Centre to support Persons with Disabilities
Bangkok, 28 May 2015, UNESCAP media release – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today opened a state-of-the-art Accessibility Centre at the ESCAP Conference Centre in Bangkok to support the participation of persons with disabilities in United Nations intergovernmental processes and meetings. In a landmark move to make […]
more…31 May, 2015
Chinese Commentary: Cuba’s removal from “terror list” raises more questions about U.S. credibility
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) — In Washington, Cuba’s removal from the U.S. list of so-called “state sponsors of terrorism” was hailed as a diplomatic accomplishment. However, while most of the world is willing to see a thaw in U.S.-Cuba ties after more than five decades of enmity, the delisting also raised more questions about the […]
more…30 May, 2015
Winners of European 2015 Natura 2000 Award Winners announced
Brussels, (European Commission media release) 21 May 2015 – The six winners of the 2015 Natura 2000 Awards were announced at a Ceremony in Brussels on 21 May 2015. The six winners include projects from Denmark, Germany, Spain, France and a trans-boundary project that involves nine Danube countries. Winners have been selected for each of […]
more…30 May, 2015
“State of Nature” assessment draws mixed picture for Europe’s habitats and species
Brussels, 20 May 2015, European Commission Press release – The Commission has adopted a new report providing the most comprehensive picture yet on the ‘State of Nature in the EU’. The findings show that the majority of birds have a secure status, and some species and habitats are doing better. Targeted conservation actions have brought […]
more…30 May, 2015
UN meeting examines Role of Social Media in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
ASTANA, 27 May, UN News Centre — The 2015 International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East concluded today, with two panel discussions that explored how social media both hindered and advanced audiences’ acceptance of Israeli-Palestinian narratives, as speakers throughout the day analysed the media’s role in promoting a facts-based discourse about the recent […]
more…30 May, 2015
Event Planner, PR & Advertising Manager amongst Best Jobs for Women in 2015
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Dental hygienist, event planner and public relations manager have been named among the best jobs for women in the new CareerCast report on the Best Jobs for Women, while such STEM jobs as biomedical engineer, statistician and actuary also made the list. “Because technological jobs are such a bedrock of […]
more…28 May, 2015
Third Etihad-funded report counters U.S. airlines’ fiction about job-losses caused by open-sky policies
Abu Dhabi, 28 May 2015 (Etihad Airways media release) -Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will contribute US$2.9 billion to the US economy and support 23,400 American jobs this year, according to new research by the global consultancy Oxford Economics. The study, commissioned by Etihad Airways, projects that by 2020, the […]
more…28 May, 2015
China to invest $900b in Belt and Road Initiative
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-05-28 – China has announced plans to boost the Belt and Road trade by creating economic corridors and investing nearly $900 billion in countries along the route. Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said the country is mulling six economic corridors with countries along the Belt and Road trade route to better connect Asia and Europe […]
more…28 May, 2015
North Korea joins the bandwagon, seeks investment for planned tourism zone
PYONGYANG, MAY 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will introduce various preferential policies to attract investment for a planned international tourist zone, officials in charge of the project say. The development of Wonsan-Mt. Kumgang international tourist zone, a key project approved by the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly last June, […]
more…28 May, 2015
Hainan’s first Tourism Development Index shows strong growth momentum
HAIKOU, China, May 25, 2015 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/– Hainan’s tourism authority released an index report on the island’s tourism development over the past five years on May 20th, in an effort to evaluate the development of its tourism industry and provide a reference for potential industry investors. The index report, which is the first of its kind […]
more…27 May, 2015
Bangkok to Bethlehem: UNWTO Conference to Spotlight Biggest Block To Global Travel
An historic conference on Religious Tourism to be organised by the UN World Tourism Organisation between June 15-16 in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ (Peace be upon Him), may facilitate the removal of one of the greatest obstacles to global travel & tourism flows and advance a settlement of one of the world’s thorniest […]
more…25 May, 2015
Chinese Palace Museum to limit daily visitor number to 80,000
BEIJING, (Xinhua) 2015-05-17 – The Palace Museum in Beijing will launch a pilot scheme to limit the daily visitors’ number by 80,000 on June 13, according to the museum’s announcement Sunday. The Palace Museum will also impose a real-name registration system for tickets buying at the same time. All the group tour ticket booking will […]
more…25 May, 2015
Global poor pay the price of crises caused by the uber-rich: Civil Society groups
Bangkok — The global uber-rich who control the vast majority of the world’s wealth are responsible for an equivalent proportion of global problems, while the billions of poor pay the heaviest price, according to a caucus of Asia-Pacific civil society (CSOs) that concluded here on 18 May 2015. Representatives of 125 non-governmental organisations, convening in […]
more…24 May, 2015
China forging ahead with widespread anti-graft drive
BEIJING, 2015-05-24 (Xinhua) – Despite the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of officials across the country, the countercorruption drive is showing no signs of letting up. In the two years of the campaign, the anti-graft watchdog has ousted corrupt officials all the way from low-level “flies” to high-ranking “tigers.” Yu Yuanhui, a member of the […]
more…24 May, 2015
Winners of “One Billion Acts of Peace Hero” Awards Announced
DENVER (PRWEB) May 22, 2015 — The PeaceJam Foundation announced the winners of its One Billion Acts of Peace Campaign Hero Awards. These awards recognize the importance of action in helping to change the world. “One Billion Acts of Peace is creating a new generation of young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their […]
more…24 May, 2015
Golf gains ground amongst Chinese professional women, housewives
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-05-23 – Shenzhen resident Chen Xing is among the lucky ones whose job is also her passion. The 40-year-old loves playing golf, and is the director of the club member affair department with Shenzhen Golf Association, an non-government organization that aims to promote golf among Shenzhen residents and beyond, and the only […]
more…23 May, 2015
Airlines of Indian Ocean island nations to form alliance
ANTANANARIVO, May 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Airlines in Indian Ocean countries and regions will be grouped in an alliance called “Vanilla Alliance” from June, the foreign ministers of Comoros, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles made the decision in Madagascar’s capital. Agreement of the alliance will be signed on June 18 in Madagascar by Air Austral, […]
more…23 May, 2015
Modest global growth set to continue for rest of year, says UN economic report
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 22 May 2015 – A new United Nations report released today says that modest paced global economic growth continues, and predicts a gradual improvement in the situation over the second half of 2015 and into next year. According to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects Update as of mid-2015 […]
more…23 May, 2015
Major banks plead guilty to rigging foreign currency markets
Washington DC, May 20, 2015, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs — Five major banks – Citicorp, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays PLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and UBS AG – have agreed to plead guilty to felony charges. Citicorp, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays PLC, and The Royal Bank of […]
more…22 May, 2015
Don Futterman: How to destroy American Jewish support for Israel — Haaretz
By Don Futterman While young minority activists across American college campuses are rejecting Israel and isolating their Jewish classmates, Israel has chosen a government of settlers and religious extremists. Add to that the Jewish community’s ambivalent response to liberal or progressive Jewish students who question Israel’s policies, and we may be creating the perfect storm […]
more…22 May, 2015
On World Day, UN warns global cultural diversity ‘under attack’
Paris, (UNESCO media release) 21 May 2015 – As the planet’s cultural diversity comes under continued attack from militant groups espousing virulent forms of intolerance, the international community must fight back through openness and acceptance of the world’s myriad traditions, the United Nations cultural agency declared today. In a statement marking the World Day for […]
more…22 May, 2015
Second Etihad-funded study dissects U.S. airlines’ open-sky subsidies gibberish
Abu Dhabi, (Etihad Media release) – 22 May 2015 — Despite claims by the Big Three U.S. airlines, the market for air travel from the U.S. to the Indian Sub-Continent has expanded significantly from 2009 to 2014 with U.S. airlines and their European partners actually flying 223,000 more passengers during that period. This is only […]
more…19 May, 2015
Australians lose over $80 million to scams in 2014, mostly via online dating
Canberra (ACCC media release) May 18 news release — The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Targeting Scams Report reveals that 91,637 Australians scam complaints were made to the ACCC last year, with $81,832,793 reported lost. “This Fraud Week, the ACCC is urging consumers to ‘Get smarter with their data’ as stolen personal information underpins almost […]
more…19 May, 2015
China seeks more balanced growth via new Gross Ecosystem Product index
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) May 18, 2015 – Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), is a concept that complements and contrasts with GDP. It puts a price on the natural environment and tells people the value of the products and services that nature offers. Urban GEP is a creation of Yantian district in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province. […]
more…18 May, 2015
U.S. Labour Unions highlight annual income gap: Workers $36,000, CEOs $13.5 million
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 14, 2015 — As Americans rally behind initiatives to raise pay for working families, CEO pay for major U.S. companies has skyrocketed. According to new AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch data, CEO pay increased nearly 16 percent in 2014, while Walmart and the Walton family continue to drive inequality nationwide. The Executive PayWatch website, the […]
more…18 May, 2015
California Forum on Health Effects of Cell Phones and Wireless Technology
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)-May 14, 2015-An Expert Forum on Cell Phone and Wireless Risks will be held at the Commonwealth Club of California on June 22nd from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Co-organized by ElectromagneticHealth.org and Environmental Health Trust, the focus will be on the special risks to children and other vulnerable populations from cell phone and wireless […]
more…18 May, 2015
Gallup Global Survey: U.S. Leadership Loses Ground in Africa, Asia
WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.Gallup.com) May 14, 2015 — Although the leadership of the U.S. earned the highest approval ratings of any major world power asked about in 2014, approval of U.S. leadership dropped to a new low in Africa last year, and tumbling support in Central Asia erased the big gains in the larger Asia region […]
more…17 May, 2015
China opens hotline for the disabled
(Xinhua) BEIJING, May 14 — China opened the 12385 hotline to provide consultation and guidance for disabled people, according to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF). The hotline offers details on disability-related laws, regulations, judicial explanations and department-specific policies as well as guidance on rehabilitation, education, employment, poverty relief and cultural and sports activities, the […]
more…17 May, 2015
Accepting criticism can make your job more enjoyable, research study shows
Montreal, QC (PRWEB) April 25, 2015 – Getting that corner office with the great view might make work life more fun. Getting a raise might make a job more enjoyable. Even better coffee in the break room might make the workday more pleasurable. Here’s something else that will improve our job satisfaction, according to researchers […]
more…17 May, 2015
Aviation, railways to top Chinese PM’s agenda for Latin America
Beijing, (China Daily) May 14, 2015 – China will sign aircraft, currency and agricultural deals during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Latin America next week. In addition, work will start on a feasibility study of plans for a transcontinental railroad project involving China, Brazil and Peru that will link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Li […]
more…17 May, 2015
Israel Blocks Catholic Peace Movement Secretary-General Entry to Palestine
BETHLEHEM, May 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Pax Christi International, a global Catholic Peace movement, deeply deplored Israel’s refusal to grant its Secretary General entry to Palestine to attend the World Assembly and 70th Anniversary Celebrations that took place in Bethlehem on May 13. “Refused entry into Palestine/Israel by the Israeli authorities, José’s absence is a […]
more…16 May, 2015
PATA 2015 events in Leshan and Bengaluru: What India can learn from China
The Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi is in China this week for an official visit. He no doubt will see just how far ahead China is of India on just about every aspect of development. Anyone who travels through the world’s most populous country cannot but be impressed by the smooth highways, well-functioning airports […]
more…16 May, 2015
Chinese Commentary: U.S. needs to work on own human rights record first before blaming others
Beijing, (Xinhua) May 13, 2015 – The United States, a self-proclaimed human rights watchdog, needs to examine itself critically and improve its own human rights record before blaming other countries for their violations. The UN Human Rights Council reviewed the U.S. human rights record Monday and found that the “preacher of human rights” itself was […]
more…15 May, 2015
Arabs strike back: Etihad-funded study exposes US$71.5 bln in U.S. airline subsidies
Abu Dhabi, May 15 (Etihad Airways media release) — Research commissioned by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has quantified a range of government and court-sanctioned benefits and concessions received by the three biggest US carriers, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group, and other airlines with which they […]
more…14 May, 2015
The downside of Myanmar’s tourism boom, and 11 simple tips to stem the rot
Bangkok – Regional and international ecotourism experts are to convene for a May 19-21 conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to discuss ecotourism in protected areas. According to the publicity material, topics include using ecotourism to finance nature conservation, transboundary heritage trails and much more! Before reaching for the sky, Myanmar needs to focus on […]
more…13 May, 2015
Risky drinking rising amongst women of higher income, education – OECD report
Bangkok — Changing lifestyles and increasing upward mobility amongst women is leading to a new kind of gender equality — women are becoming just as heavy drinkers as men. A report on harmful alcohol use in the OECD countries, released by the Paris-based organisation on May 12, says, “People with more education and higher socioeconomic […]
more…12 May, 2015
“Tourism is NOT just a holiday”: Indian NGOs blast “flawed” Draft Tourism Master Plan 2015
New Delhi, May 10, Media Release by the Bengaluru-based NGO Equations – A coalition of 35 Indian non-government organisations has blasted the draft national tourism policy 2015 released by the central government as paving the way for a complete privatisation of the country’s tourism industry, with scant regard being paid to the interests of local […]
more…11 May, 2015
Still no ASEAN brand logo at ATM Dubai country pavilions
Dubai – Malaysian Tourism Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz has publicly provided his official commitment to ensure that all ASEAN member countries display the ASEAN logo at their country pavilions at future travel trade shows worldwide. He made this pledge at the Malaysian press conference in his capacity as representative of a […]
more…10 May, 2015
U.S. airlines’ “subsidies” allegations show American corporations cannot be trusted
The U.S. airlines’ dossier pointing fingers at the Gulf airlines over alleged subsidies and anti-competitive actions is so parochial and pathetically flawed that it does not deserve the respectability being showered on it. Indeed, it is a reflection of U.S. corporate hypocrisy, a clear indicator of how the Americans react when they get beaten at […]
more…10 May, 2015
Antitrust: European Commission launches e-commerce sector inquiry to probe market abuse
Brussels, 06 May 2015, European Commission – Press release – The European Commission has today launched an antitrust competition inquiry into the e-commerce sector in the European Union. The inquiry, as announced by Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in March, will allow the Commission to identify possible competition concerns affecting European e-commerce markets. It complements actions launched […]
more…10 May, 2015
In China, right balance needed between traditional and online taxi firms
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-05-06 – US-based taxi app provider Uber has been frequently hitting the headlines in recent months for being the target of regulatory crackdowns or law suits with regulators and taxi companies in a number of cities outside the US. In the latest incident, its office in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province, was raided […]
more…9 May, 2015
At ATM Dubai, Gulf carriers in full battle cry against U.S. airlines’ claims of “subsidies”
Dubai – Chief executives of Etihad, Qatar Airways and Emirates are due in Washington DC for May 14 meetings with U.S. government officials to rebut allegations that their airlines are subsidised by their respective governments, giving them an unfair competitive advantage over U.S. airlines and their code-share and alliance partners. At the Arabian Travel Market […]
more…8 May, 2015
Southeast Asian Rice Cultures come to life in Bangkok
Bangkok – Performers and scholars from all over Southeast Asia will gather in Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, between 11-14 May 2015 for a special event celebrating the rice cultures of the region. The Spiritual Dimensions of Rice Culture in Southeast Asia looks beyond rice as an agricultural product and provides a glimpse into the importance of […]
more…7 May, 2015
UN environment chief warns of ‘tsunami’ of e-waste at conference on chemical treaties
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 4 May 2015 – The head of the United Nations body tasked with setting the global environmental agenda today stressed the need to limit the use of dangerous chemicals and to find a solution to the masses of electronic waste building up around the world, as a Conference of Parties […]
more…7 May, 2015
Smartphone mania drives Chinese families apart
Beijing, (China Daily), 2015-05-06 – People should switch off their smartphones for an hour every day to prevent the use of mobile apps from eroding family ties and restricting direct communication between people, say researchers. The call was prompted by a survey carried out by Marriage and Family, a monthly magazine affiliated with the All-China […]
more…7 May, 2015
Thailand launches first campaign specifically to attract more Muslim visitors
Dubai — Thailand has launched a new campaign to position the Buddhist-majority kingdom as a Muslim-friendly destination and attract a larger share of the rapidly growing market for halal tourism. Launching the campaign at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on 06 May 2015, Minister of Tourism and Sports Mrs Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul noted that it would […]
more…3 May, 2015
Britain’s richest see their wealth rocket during recession
LONDON, April 26 (Xinhua) — Just days after it was reported more than a million Britons have had to turn to food banks to feed their families, the long-awaited rich-list for 2015 published Sunday reveals Britain’s wealthy have become even richer. Recession, what recession, screamed London’s Sunday Times (ST) as it reported how the 1,000 […]
more…3 May, 2015
ADB Report: Toward Better Multimodal Railway Hubs in China
Asian Development Bank media release — The People’s Republic of China has surpassed the rest of the world in building its high-speed rail network in the last 10 years. The country has built nearly 10,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines since 2007. The development of high-speed rail (HSR) is one of the key priorities in […]
more…3 May, 2015
EU adopts consular protection rules for European citizens abroad
BRUSSELS, April 20 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) on Monday adopted a directive on consular protection for European citizens living or travelling outside the EU. The agreement clarifies when and how EU citizens in distress in a country outside the EU have the right to receive assistance from other EU countries’ embassies or consulates. […]
more…3 May, 2015
News Analysis: Palestinians count on Asian-African conference to internationalize their cause
RAMALLAH, April 15 (Xinhua) — The Palestinians are facing severe difficulties and they are eager to see their hope of establishing an independent state on the territories Israel occupied in 1967 come true, according to analysts and observers. Analysts say the Palestinian participation in the upcoming Asian-African Conference scheduled to convene in Indonesia on April […]
more…3 May, 2015
Gwadar Port: Driver for Connectivity between South Asia and East Asia
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), April 23, 2015 — During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that links Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port has drawn attention in both countries. The corridor will “serve as a driver for connectivity between South Asia and […]
more…3 May, 2015
Xinhua Interview: Situation in Gaza miserable with high unemployment rate: Palestinian minister
GAZA, April 30 (Xinhua) — The daily living situation is seriously miserable in the blockaded Gaza Strip, where unemployment rate in the impoverished coastal enclave climbed to 60 percent, a senior Palestinian official told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on the eve of the International Labor Day. Ma’moun Abu Shahla, minister of labor in the […]
more…3 May, 2015
China national plan targets healthy growth of traditional medicine
(Xinhua) BEIJING, April 28 — A new plan to protect traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resources will ensure quality and bolster long-term growth of the sector nationwide. On Monday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine jointly released a plan for the protection and development of TCM materials […]
more…3 May, 2015
Uber office raided in Chinese crackdown on unlicensed taxis
(Xinhua) 2015-05-01 GUANGZHOU – The office of US taxi-hailing app Uber in southern Chinese city of Guangzhou was raided on Thursday, with a number of mobile phones seized, a city official confirmed on Friday. The company is suspected of unlicensed operation and conducting illegal business by allowing private car owners to offer taxi services, an […]
more…3 May, 2015
Indian Tourism Ministry invites comments on draft new National Tourism Policy
New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 01-May-2015 – The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is in the process of formulating a National Tourism Policy 2015 for development and promotion of tourism in the country. A draft Policy, based on inputs / suggestions received from stakeholders, eminent personalities and experts in the field of Tourism, State […]
more…3 May, 2015
Japan, Thailand host Palestinian tourism delegation on study trip
Bangkok – A delegation of Palestinian tourism officials and private sector executives has just completed a study tour of Thailand as part of efforts by the Japanese and Thai governments to help upgrade the quality of the tourism industry in the Israeli-occupied state. Funding for the delegation’s visit between April 26-May 2 was provided by […]
more…1 May, 2015
India traditional crafts set to fall into hands of powerloom lobbies
Bengaluru, (Media release from the NGO Equations) — With the move to repeal The Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, there is yet another attempt at mechanising the traditional crafts forms, that would eventually render lakhs of artisans jobless. The argument of the powerloom lobbies is that the same textile product, like a […]
more…30 Apr, 2015
PATA bottoms out, plans to rebuild chapters as part of U-shaped recovery plan
LESHAN, China – When immediate past PATA Chairman Scott Supernaw opened the Chapters Colloquium at the PATA annual summit on 25 April, he made a stunning public admission. Referring to a restructuring of chapters now under way, he took a page from PATA history, saying, “I personally think we made a mistake that we forced […]
more…29 Apr, 2015
China’s rapidly growing high-speed rail network boon for tourists
Beijing, (China Daily) April 04, 2015 – China’s rapidly growing high-speed rail network is making it easier－and cheaper－for tourists to travel around the country. With the growing popularity and development of high-speed rail in China, traveling around the country has become easier for tourists who want to spend less time on trains and more at […]
more…29 Apr, 2015
CareerBuilder analysis lists guides, masseuses among high-paying non-desk jobs
CHICAGO, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Millions of Americans earn their living from behind a desk and computer screen, and while that’s a reality only likely to expand over the coming years, hundreds of non-desk jobs continue to grow and thrive, according to a new analysis of labor market data from CareerBuilder. Ninety percent of the […]
more…20 Apr, 2015
Dhaka to host Int’l Conference on Urban Health, May 24-27
The International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) 2015 will be held from 24–27 May in Dhaka, Bangladesh under the theme of Urban Health for a Sustainable Future: The Post-2015 Agenda. ICUH is organized on a biannual basis by the International Society for Urban Health as an international forum for information exchange among urban health professionals […]
more…20 Apr, 2015
Report details Australian intellectual property trends
17 April 2015 (Australian government media release) – Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Science Karen Andrews today released the Australian Intellectual Property Report 2015, a detailed breakdown of the latest intellectual property (IP) trends in Australia. “Intellectual property is a powerful tool for Australia’s economic development and national prosperity, it is a key part of […]
more…20 Apr, 2015
Australia charts 10-year plan to boost international education, training
Canberra, 20 April 2015, Austrade media release – Austrade, the Australian Government’s international education promotion agency, is holding a series of open workshops across Australia seeking input on future directions for Australia’s international education and training sector. The workshops are part of the AIE 2025 Roadshow and will help develop a long-term market plan, Australian […]
more…19 Apr, 2015
In memoriam: Thai tourism and aviation pioneer Chatrachai Bunya-ananta
One of Thailand’s most eminent aviation and tourism pioneers, Mr. Chatrachai Bunya-ananta, the first civilian to become President of Thai Airways International, passed away on April 18 at the age of 82. Ailing for several months with a blood infection, he had been in and out of hospital since December 2014. Mr. Chatrachai was one […]
more…19 Apr, 2015
China flags another 11.7% budget cut for official travel, transport & receptions
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-04-18 – Government budgets for overseas travel, official vehicles and receptions will be reduced by 11.7 percent this year to promote frugality, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday. It said 6.31 billion yuan ($1.03 billion) has been allocated to cover expenses related to these three categories. The budget for government vehicles, […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
China to blacklist badly-behaved tourists
Beijing (Xinhua) 2015-04-11 – China is starting to blacklist poorly-behaved tourists as it seeks to rescue the image of its citizens as holidaymakers. According to a regulation by the China National Tourism Administration (NTA) that entered effect this week, tourists will be blacklisted for offences including acting antisocially on public transport, damaging private or public […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Asia to benefit from China’s planned Infrastructure Investment Bank
(Xinhua) 2015-04-04 HANOI — The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) initiated by China is expected to bring many advantages to the region, said a Vietnamese expert. Tran Viet Thai, deputy director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Academy, made the remark in […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Majority of British Parliamentary Candidates Agree Israel’s Gaza Blockade Should Go
LONDON, April 16, 2015 (WAFA) – British Candidates standing for election to Parliament in May have shown their support for an immediate lifting of Israel’s blockade of Gaza in an email survey co-ordinated by Palestine Solidarity Campaign. In a press release, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign affirmed that more than 670 declared candidates from all major […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Muslim sisters of New Zealand citizenship harassed at Brisbane airport
Christchurch City, New Zealand (IINA) 16 Apr 2015 – Two Christchurch Muslim sisters voiced their outrage after being treated as “a potential threat” at an Australian airport while they were on their way to see their father win a medical award, One News of New Zealand television network TVNZ, reported. Canterbury University student Nada Tawfeek, […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Calls for wildlife and forest crime to be treated as serious crime
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 13 April 2015 – Poaching and illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora have a significant impact on species and entire ecosystems, local communities and their livelihoods, national economies, and national and regional security. On 13 April 2015, UNODC and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
India’s National Foundation for Communal Harmony promotes book “Suleiman Charitra”
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, 09-April-2015 — ‘Suleiman Charitra of Kalyana Malla,’ a book translated from Sanskrit by acclaimed writer and former diplomat Mr A.N.D. Haksar, was launched at a function here today in collaboration with the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH). The classic literature, ‘Suleiman Charitra,’ is a work […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
China going after escapee corrupt officials abroad
(China Daily) April 13, 2015 — China’s anti-corruption system is receiving “high-quality” tips from around the world and is ready to take further action to catch more former public officials who have escaped abroad with ill-gotten gains. A senior official from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection told China Daily that the top anti-graft […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
China to boost railway construction in central, western regions: premier
CHONGQING, April 11 (Xinhua) — China will speed up railway construction in central and western regions to lend steam to economic growth, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang noted Saturday. Railway construction is crucial to steadying growth, economic restructuring and improving public welfare and China will continue to focus on developing major railway projects in central and […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Transparency Int’l report: Unregulated lobbying in Europe opens door to corruption
15 April 2015, Transparency International Secretariat media release – Transparency International said today that Europe urgently needs lobbying reform. A new report from the anti-corruption group found that of 19 European countries assessed, only 7 have some form of dedicated lobbying law or regulation, allowing for nearly unfettered influence of business interests on the daily […]
more…18 Apr, 2015
Israeli spies learn Quran, Islamic teachings
Tehran, April 11, IRNA – Israeli security forces have disclosed the regime’s spies are taught the Quran and Islamic ideology, among other things, to help them infiltrate Arab and Muslim communities more easily. Jacob Bieri, a former official with the Israeli spy agency Shin Bet (or Shabak), says the agency’s recruits go through special and […]
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