27 Jul, 2014
Indian cultural tour operator calls for Israel boycott at travel shows
An Indian tour operator has initiated a call for a boycott of Israeli stands at international trade shows, starting with the World Travel Mart in London. The move means that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered the realm of global travel events and will almost certainly have a deep and lasting impact on their costs, content […]
more…26 Jul, 2014
Thailand’s tourism comeback party in pictures: From protests to parades in six months
Bangkok – The Thai tourism industry pulled off a grand comeback party on July 25, designed to show the world that the kingdom is back to normal, safe and ready to receive visitors again. Blessed with a 35 million baht budget and the benevolence of the gods who kept the skies rain-free, more than 900 […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
New Partners Sign Up for Int’l Telecoms Union Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative
Geneva, 23 July 2014 – The International Telecommunication Union today announces that global healthcare company GSK and Public Health England (PHE) will join Be He@lthy, Be Mobile, an initiative which it leads in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The new partnership and the continued evolution of digital health around the world are being […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
UN Human Rights Council agrees probe into war crimes, U.S. votes “no”
United Nations, UN News Centre, 23 July 2014 – The United Nations Human Rights Council today decided to launch an independent inquiry into purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Meeting in an emergency session today, the Council adopted a resolution agreeing to send the […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
Xinjiang’s privately funded railways face uncertain future
URUMQI, July 24 (Xinhua) — Track-laying on the Hongliuhe-Naomaohu Railway, one of the largest privately funded rail projects in China, was just completed in early July, but insiders have already begun to worry about its future. The 435-km-long cargo line, with Xinjiang Guanghui Industry Investment Group Co. Ltd. as a major investor, aims to make […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
The new order of global networks depends on equality and joint governance
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 24, 2014 – Internet governance requires peaceful coexistence and the cooperation of the entire international community, with the goal of building a peaceful, confident, open and cooperative network, through the establishment of a multilateral, transparent and democratic system. During his recent speech to the Congress of Brazil, President Xi Jinping […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
Nobel peace laureates, celebrities call for military embargo on Israel
Palestinian BDS National Committee on July 20, 2014- Israel has once again unleashed the full force of its military against the captive Palestinian population, particularly in the besieged Gaza Strip, in an inhumane and illegal act of military aggression. Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has so far killed scores of Palestinian civilians, injured hundreds and […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
HRW-Columbia Law School report exposes how U.S. created fake “Islamic terrorists”
July 21, 2014 (Washington, DC) –The US Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have targeted American Muslims in abusive counterterrorism “sting operations” based on religious and ethnic identity, Human Rights Watch and Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute said in a report released today. Many of the more than 500 terrorism-related cases […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
China’s RMB as next world currency – four challenges to be faced
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 24, 2014 – The Chinese renminbi (RMB) will become the world’s third largest currency after the U.S. dollar and Euro within five years as the country accelerates the promotion of its currency unit. A report by the International Monetary Institute of Renmin University of China and the Bank of Communications, […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
Jewish Voice for Peace Executive Director Calls on World to Act Against Israel
Action Alert The glimmer of hope I have in these dark days is you – our community of members, supporters, and allies standing up all over the world. In the police van with Maia Ettinger, daughter and grand-daughter of Holocaust survivors. The time to act is now. Dear Supporter, Yesterday, I was part of a […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
The positions of global governments on the Israeli attack on Gaza
Editor’s Note: The following is a summary record of statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made at the 7222nd meeting of the UN Security Council on 22 July 2014. It was distributed by the UN Department of Public Information. United Nations, 22 July 2014, Department of Public Information – Although a ceasefire was critical in ending […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
Chinese wealthy spending more－on property
Beijing, July 23, 2014 (China Daily) — After a slight dip in the Luxury Consumer Price Index last year, it rose by 4 percent in 2014, according to a Hurun Research Institute report released on Tuesday. The LCPI was also 1.7 percent higher than China’s overall CPI released by the National Bureau of Statistics in […]
more…23 Jul, 2014
MH17 & MH370: Can you spot the difference?
The campaign of vilification against Russian President Vladimir Putin over the fatal downing of MH17 has the same ring-tone as that against former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the lead-up to the 2003 attack on Iraq. That attack, based on the totally fraudulent claim that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, triggered a conflict that […]
more…23 Jul, 2014
World’s First Foresight Encyclopedic Dictionary Available to the Public
(PRWEB) July 23, 2014 – FUTURES, the world’s first Foresight Encyclopedic Dictionary, is now available to the public in both English and Spanish, and plans are in progress for other translations as well. It contains more than 1,000 terms used in futures research and studies. It offers an immersion into the field of foresight, including […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Philippines’ Population Expected To Hit 100 Million On July 27
KALIBO, the Philippines, July 22 (Bernama) — The Philippines’ population is expected to reach 100 million on July 27, Xinhua news agency reported. The Philippine Population Commission (POPCOM) said Tuesday the 100th million Filipino is anticipated to be born that day in one of six provinces under the jurisdiction of the Western Visayas region and […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Global Trades Union: Palestinians must have an independent state
Geneva, 22 July 2014, ITUC media release: With over 500 people in Gaza killed, 80% of them women and children, in a massive escalation of Israel’s assault, an immediate ceasefire and return to the 2012 truce agreement is absolutely urgent. Over 80,000 persons have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking shelter in […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
FREE Download: 3 in 10 Global Consumers Don’t Trust Retailers With Their Data – Survey
NAPLES, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)-July 22, 2014-A global fraud study of more than 6,100 consumers across 20 countries revealed distrust among global consumers in retailers to protect their data. The new study, “Global Consumers: Concerned and Willing to Engage in the Battle Against Fraud,” is the second in a two-part series conducted by ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
China, Venezuela sign 38 new agreements
CARACAS, July 22 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — Venezuela and China signed 38 new cooperation agreements for the development which open the doors to a new historical stage of exchanges, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said. Maduro announced the construction and assembly of a third Venezuelan satellite with Chinese help and advice. Different joint funds between the two […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Malaysian CEO Forum 2014 Flags Warning Signs of Looming Financial Crisis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) — Economists and financial experts are predicting an imminent global financial crash, of equal or greater severity than the 1997 crisis, from which Malaysia recovered thanks to incisive policy decisions. The macroeconomic discipline imposed during the 1997 crisis helped Malaysia to weather the 2008 financial turmoil and Malaysia was spared […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
“The Anatomy of a Great Deception” Chosen to Headline 9/11 Truth Film Festival
Detroit, MI (PRWEB) July 18, 2014 – The 9/11 documentary film, “The Anatomy of a Great Deception” received an invitation to headline the 2014 9/11 Truth Film Festival to be held from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, California on September 11 2014. The fast-paced docu-thriller, which has been […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Confucius Institutes blossom across Latin American countries
(China Daily) 2014-07-20 – Thanks to the growing ties between China and Latin American countries in recent years, demand for Chinese-language learning and cultural exchanges has surged in the region, as shown by the expansion of the Confucius Institute. The Confucius Institute, a nonprofit public agency affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, has built […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Priority boost for development projects at Thai overland borders
Bangkok – Thailand’s border checkpoint areas with Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia are to be prioritised for urgent development in preparation for the Integrated ASEAN Community in 2015, the country’s military chief announced on 18 July. In his nationwide weekly radio/TV broadcast, General Prayut Chan-o-cha Head of the National Council for Peace and Order, said the […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Israeli soldiers spray sewage-smelling chemical on Manger Street in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, July 20 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israeli forces sprayed homes and shops along Bethlehem’s Manger Street with a foul-smelling chemical on Friday night, following clashes with local youths protesting in solidarity with Gaza. On Friday evening, Israeli forces opened fire on youths in northern Bethlehem with stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets, after large marches broke […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
BRICS development bank headquarters in Shanghai bolsters China’s status
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhuanet) — A day after the world’s five largest developing countries picked Shanghai as the headquarters for their new 100 billion US dollar development bank, experts say it will help reinforce China’s central role in the group of five nations known as BRICS. The New Development Bank is designed to fund infrastructure […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
China pledges backing for transcontinental S. American railway project
BRASILIA, July 17, (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart, Dilma Rousseff, vowed here Thursday to cooperate closely on a railway project that runs across the South American continent. In his talks with Rousseff, Xi called upon the two countries to carry out strategic cooperation in high-speed railway construction and make concerted […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Chinese firms to buy 60 aircraft from Brazil’s Embraer
BRASILIA, July 17, (Xinhua) — Two Chinese companies on Thursday signed a deal here with Brazil’s Embraer, a leading aircraft manufacturer, to buy 60 more E190 planes from the Brazilian firm. According to the newly signed deal, Tianjin Airlines and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Leasing will buy twenty E190 aircraft from […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
China’s anti-corruption war: You can run but you cannot hide
BEIJING, July 18, (Xinhua) — One disgraced ex-military chief; one fazed vice chairman of China’s top political advisory body; a handful of crushed vice governors; and close to 30 felled ministerial-level officials. The anti-corruption crusade of China’s current leadership since late 2012 has exposed a long, infamous list of fraudulent high-ranking officials, or “tigers” as […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Russian Defense Ministry statement on the MH Boeing 777 crash
Moscow, 18.07.2014 – The Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation released the following statement in connection with the crash of Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777. “In view of the objective investigation of the air crash of the Boeing 777 that crashed on the territory of Ukraine, it is necessary to conduct thorough investigation with the involvement […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Alternative Crops Vital to Alleviating Poverty, Combatting Drugs Menace, UN hears
United Nations, Department of Public Information, 15 July 2014 — Organized crime and illicit criminal activity undermined essential institutions like the rule of law and delivery of education and health, the United Nations leading expert on drugs and crime told the Economic and Social Council today. Opening a high-level panel discussion entitled “Sustainable development and […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Thailand chosen for Asian launch of Nelson Mandela Distinguished Lectures
BANGKOK: South Africa launched its Annual Nelson Mandela Distinguished Lecture in Asia by inviting former Thai Prime Minister Mr Anand Panyarachun to deliver the inaugural one at Thailand’s prestigious Chulalongkorn University. South African Ambassador to Thailand Ms Robina Marks initiated the lecture at the University’s Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration on July 18, which […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Dangerous digital mass surveillance must face independent checks and balances – Pillay
GENEVA (16 July 2014) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned Wednesday that studies by her office and others have revealed a “disturbing” lack of transparency about governmental surveillance policies and practices, “including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
UN: 67 minutes to take action, inspire change on Nelson Mandela Day
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 17 July 2014 – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be among citizens around the world who will be volunteering 67 minutes of their time on Friday, Nelson Mandela Day, to make a small gesture in solidarity with humanity – one minute for every year of the South African leader’s public […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
UN strengthens safety rules on lead content in infant formula and arsenic in rice
17 July 2014, Geneva (FAO/WHO media release) – UN food standards body the Codex Alimentarius Commission this week adopted new standards to protect consumer health worldwide, including setting out maximum acceptable levels of lead in infant formula and of arsenic in rice. Jointly run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Pew survey finds widespread global opposition to U.S. eavesdropping
July 14, 2014 (Pew Research Centre) – Revelations about the scope of American electronic surveillance efforts have generated headlines around the world over the past year. And a new Pew Research Center survey finds widespread global opposition to U.S. eavesdropping and a decline in the view that the U.S. respects the personal freedoms of its […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Coup, curfew see Thai visitor arrivals take a 24% hit in June
BANGKOK – Visitor arrivals to Thailand plunged 24% to a low of 1.55 million in June 2014, the worst decline of all months so far this year, thanks to the May 22 military coup and the brief period of night-time curfew that followed. Even Phuket was affected, with arrivals by first point of entry falling […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Shichahai wants college graduates as pedicab drivers – foreigners welcome
(People’s Daily Online) July 16, 2014 – An official pedicab team in Shichahai of Beijing’s Xicheng District is planning to recruit drivers with a college diploma. Male, female, and even foreign candidates can apply for the post. According to a person in charge, the pedicab team is called “Houhai Baye”, referring to eight pedicab drivers […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
What America can do to earn the trust of China
(People’s Daily Online), July 16, 2014 – I am not an “expert” on China. Rather, I am just a reasonably informed elder citizen who is deeply concerned for the welfare of future generations. It is my earnest prayer that China and the United States will successfully find ways to surmount current tensions and old resentments […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
China bus explosion suspect blames gambling debts
GUANGZHOU, (Xinhua) 2014-07-16 – The suspect in Tuesday’s bus explosion in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong province has confessed that he set the vehicle on fire in anger after gambling losses, local police said Wednesday. Police caught the suspect, a 25-year-old man surnamed Ou, in downtown Guangzhou in a raid at 11:47 am on […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Tit for tat: Malaysia To Impose Entry Permit Charge On Singapore Vehicles Entering Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Malaysia July 16 (NNN-Bernama) — The government has agreed to impose the vehicle entry permit (VEP) charge soon on Singapore vehicles entering Johor, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Announcing this Wednesday, he said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wahid Omar, who oversees the Economic Planning Unit, had been informed of the […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
After World Cup, more Chinese set to travel to Brazil
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhuanet) — Charmed by the recently ended World Cup and the coming Olympic Games in 2016 in Brazil, more Chinese tourists are interested in visiting the South American nation. According to the Brazilian embassy in Beijing, more than 5,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Brazil during the World Cup. “The real total is […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
“Fight For Your Write” crusade launched to highlight benefits of handwriting
SHELTON, Conn., July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Amid the evolution of smartphones and a decreased focus on writing in U.S. schools, BIC, a leading manufacturer of writing instruments, is introducing, “Fight For Your Write,” a new crusade to energize parents and educators about the importance of writing and its continued benefits for children. “Writing is an […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
UN human rights chief warns of ‘disturbing lack of transparency’ for digital mass surveillance
United Nations, UN News Centre, 16 July 2014 – The top United Nations human rights official today warned of the “disturbing” lack of transparency in governmental surveillance policies and practices, “including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals without the latter’s knowledge or […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Call for entries: €200,000 awaits young entrepreneurs with ideas to change the world
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.-July 10, 2014 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–Building on the success of its first Unilever Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneurs Awards in 2013, Unilever once again invites young people worldwide to create and invent practical and innovative solutions to the world’s biggest sustainability challenges and enter them in this year’s Awards. Through the awards, which are open […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
How “acting suspiciously” will become a huge problem for the travel industry
What does an 86-year-old art photographer have in common with a young man with a video game habit? Not just a proclivity for perfectly innocuous hobbies, unfortunately. These days, engaging in either activity can get the FBI on your case. Today, the ACLU and our partners at Advancing Justice–Asian Law Caucus and Bingham McCutchen are […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Israeli calls for Palestinian blood ring at fever pitch
July 15, 2014 – Concerned humanists may have hoped that when a group of Jewish Israelis confessed to kidnapping and killing Muhammad Abu Khudair, a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem — forcing him to drink gasoline and torching him to death from inside his body — that top Israeli legislators and rabbis would have been horrified […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
Indian Environmentalist Awarded Gandhi Peace Prize: “Economics No Use Without Ethics”
New Delhi, President’s Secretariat, 15-July-2014 – The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee presented the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2013 to Mr Chandi Prasad Bhatt today at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The following is the full text of the President’s speech on the occasion: It gives me immense pleasure in presenting the […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
New PKF Calculator Helps Predict Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenues
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PKF Hospitality Research, LLC (PKF-HR) today announced the release of the “Hotel Occupancy Tax Calculator,” an Excel-based tool that gives local agencies the ability to incorporate objectively developed forecasts into their estimates of future hotel occupancy tax collections. “The calculator helps agencies improve their projections and avoid operational inefficiencies, such as unjustified budget cuts, […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
Xinhua chief: BRICS news organizations must boost their global clout
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — President Li Congjun of China’s Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday published an article urging news organizations in the world’s leading developing countries to join hands to play a bigger role in international communication. The full text of the article, titled “BRICS news organizations can play a bigger role in international […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Palestinian Human Rights Groups to European Union: Practise What You Preach
Text of Open Letter from Palestinian Human Rights Organizations regarding the EU’s responsibility to stop Israel’s targeting of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip TO: Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Ambassadors of the EU Political and Security Committee Date: 14 July 2014 Your Excellencies, On 8 July 2014, the European Union […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Embraer Releases 20-Year Market Outlook Projecting 6,250 New Jet Deliveries
Farnborough, UK, July 14 , 2014– Embraer has released its Market Outlook 2014-2033 which details the Company’s forecast for deliveries of new 70 to 130-seat jet aircraft over the next twenty years. The report examines the main drivers contributing to air transport growth and reviews projected deliveries by world region. The Market Outlook identifies a […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Online gambling: EC recommends principles to protect consumers
Brussels, 14 July 2014, European Commission Press release – The European Commission has today adopted a Recommendation on online gambling services. It encourages Member States to pursue a high level of protection for consumers, players and minors through the adoption of principles for online gambling services and for responsible advertising and sponsorship of those services. […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
UNICEF: “No child should have to suffer the terrifying impact of such violence”
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on impact of violence on children in Gaza and Israel NEW YORK, 13 July 2014 – Children are bearing the brunt of the worsening violence in Gaza and Israel with at least 33 children killed in Gaza in recent days, and hundreds more injured. No child should have […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Weapons supply to Israel makes U.S. taxpayers complict in the Gaza carnage – Jewish Voice for Peace
The following letter of appeal was circulated by Jewish Voice for Peace. Dear Supporter, My name is Safa’, I am a mom of three little girls, Zeena, Yasmeen, and Leena. I live in Ramallah but am originally from Gaza. I wrote this letter Sunday night, after a long and bloody day – one of many. […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
BRICS Development bank will help end U.S. dominance of global finance
Washington DC, 2014-07-11 – The BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are expected to pursue a development bank during a summit in Brazil next week. This is in addition to the idea of an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank that is being mooted by countries in the region. World Bank President Jim Yong […]
more…14 Jul, 2014
Arab-Americans to boycott 2014 Ramadan Break-of-Fast event at White House
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | July 14, 2014 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) will not be attending this year’s government iftars and calls upon members of the Arab and Muslim communities to join us in the boycott, including tonight’s White House Iftar hosted by President Barack Obama, given the government’s condoning of the current slaughter […]
more…13 Jul, 2014
The Handset Holiday – Just 30 Minutes to Book a Break on the Mobile
LEEDS, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)-July 11, 2014 -It used to be something we spent weeks planning, now speedy Brits take less than 30 minutes to book their ‘Handset Holidays’. This summer a tech-savvy one in seven of us will make all our travel plans on the move – using a mobile phone to browse, choose and pay […]
more…12 Jul, 2014
Human rights activists rally in New York to push anti-Israel boycotts
New York, NY, July 9, 2014— As Israel escalated its assault on the Palestinian people, more than 100 human rights activists gathered Monday evening near New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge to mark the 9th anniversary of the July 9, 2005 Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The protestors spoke out […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
World’s poor hardest hit by chronic diseases, says top UN health official
United Nations, UN News Centre, 10 July 2014 – At a high-level review and assessment by the United Nations General Assembly of progress achieved in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, UN World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan today expressed deep concern about projected trends, especially as poor populations, the least able […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
As Mega-Cities Grow, World Is Becoming Over-Urbanised, UN Report Warns
United Nations, UN News Centre, 10 July 2014 – An additional 2.5 billion people are predicted to live in urban areas by 2050, the United Nations today reported, highlighting the need for a successful urban planning agenda and greater attention to be given to smaller cities where nearly half of all people currently reside. “Today, […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
700 Workplace-Violence Deaths a Year in U.S.: Report Flags Ways To Curb the Terror
KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — With an average of 700 workers killed while at work each year, and an estimated 572,000 nonfatal crimes occurring annually in the workplace, no industry is free of the possibility of severe workplace violence. This is a concern that should be addressed by companies nationwide. In their […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Sharp drop in Chinese tourists to Vietnam since May
HANOI, (Xinhua) 2014-07-09 – The number of Chinese visitors to Vietnam increased 34 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2014, but the number has declined sharply since May, a Vietnamese tourism official said on Wednesday. “Although fewer Chinese tourists came to Vietnam in May and June than during the January-April period, Vietnam saw an […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
India issued 15.3mn passports between 2010-14, more coming
New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs, 09-July-2014 – As part of the Passport Seva Project (PSP), a Mission Mode Project, implemented by the Government with a view to comprehensively overhaul passport issuance system, 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been set up and operationalised as extended arms of the existing 37 Passport Offices across the […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Gays join Sikhs, Christians, Jews in protesting U.S. surveillance of Muslim-Americans
Four gay, lesbian and transgender rights groups have signed up on a letter of protest sent by a coalition of 44 civil rights, human rights, privacy rights, and faith-based organizations to U.S. President Barack Obama seeking accountability and full disclosure over the U.S. government’s continued discriminatory surveillance of American Muslims. Agreeing that discrimination on the […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Rich Chinese travellers set sights on overseas game hunting
Beijing, (China Daily) – 2014-07-09 – The number of Chinese going abroad for trophy hunting has grown tenfold in the past five years, as wealthy Chinese travelers increasingly seek out wild and exotic experiences. Scott Lupien, CEO of 52 Safari International Hunting Club, a leading outbound hunting company based in Beijing, said that few people […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Australians drink, smoke less but getting fatter and worry more: study
SYDNEY, July 9 (Xinhua) — Australians are smoking and drinking less but are getting fatter and more anxious, according to a new study released on Wednesday. The study by Roy Morgan Research blames unemployment rates for Australia’s high anxiety. Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine told the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) there has been a […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Ban says Israel’s construction of West Bank wall violates international law, fuels Mid-East tensions
UNITED NATIONS, (UN News Centre), 9 July 2014 – At a special meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory ruling declaring illegal Israel’s construction of a separation wall in the West Bank, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today called for a halt to the current violence between Israelis and […]
more…9 Jul, 2014
EC smartphone app upgraded to uphold passenger rights during summer holidays
Brussels, 8 July 2014, European Commission Press release – The Commission’s free smartphone application for passenger rights has been upgraded just before the summer holidays to make it easy for all travellers to be informed about their rights in case something unexpected happens during their journey. Featuring existing EU rules on passenger rights, the app […]
more…9 Jul, 2014
Britain’s Largest Trade Union Slams Israel as Apartheid State
LIVERPOOL, July 8, 2014 – (WAFA) – Britain’s largest trade union, Unite, condemned Tuesday Israeli crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory and joined the international campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel. At the three-day annual meeting held in Liverpool, Unite adopted several motions in regard to the Palestinian cause. The first motion, […]
more…9 Jul, 2014
Beijing to invest 50 billion yuan to tackle air pollution
Beijing (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-07-08 – The Chinese capital plans to invest 47.858 billion yuan ($7.662 billion) to combat air pollution in the next five years, with a special focus on coal-fired pollution, vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and dust, authorities have said. The funds were allocated by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Finance to support the city’s […]
more…9 Jul, 2014
UN report calls for urgent “decarbonisation”, says “Time is not on our side”
United Nations, UN News Centre, 8 July 2014 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, introducing a new United Nations-backed report outlining pathways major industrial economies can use to cut their carbon emissions by mid-century, called today for broad cooperation and “bold” action or the world will face dangerous and irreversible climate disruption. “We know that we are […]
more…9 Jul, 2014
Thai Tourism Expenditure Stats Show Europeans are Cheapest Charlies
BANGKOK – With the Thai tourism industry set to shift its KPI targets to expenditure over arrivals, an analysis of the newly released visitor expenditure figures for 2013 shows that Europeans are by far the lowest spenders per person per day. The figures will come as a shock to the system, especially because they show […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
Chinese Commentary: Japan set to send younger generation back into battle
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) July 07, 2014 – Despite strong resistance from many Japanese and the Kōmeitō party, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took a historic step away from Japan’s postwar pacifism on Tuesday afternoon by ending a ban that has kept the military from fighting abroad since 1945. On the surface this appears to be a […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
Wulong Scenic Area to sue “Transformers” producers for damaging tourism
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-07-07 – Chongqing Wulong Scenic Area announced on July 7 that it will sue producers of the Hollywood blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction for failing to show its logo in the movie. Wulong Scenic Area said it signed a deal with producers of the movie in October. The movie’s producers promised to show […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
Philippines: Bangsamoro Peace Pact to remain bright spot amidst global conflict
Statement of GPH Panel Chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on the Proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law MANILA, July 7 (PNA) — “The implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is in the critical stage of processing a draft Bangsamoro Basic Law that the President can confidently submit to Congress and certify as urgent upon its adoption […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
UN Millennium Goals ‘scorecard’ spotlights successes, gaps and path towards ‘The Future We Want’
United Nations, UN News Centre, 7 July 2014 – With the 2015 deadline for achieving the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) less that 550 days away, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today launched the final push towards the United Nations targets – many of which have been met or are within reach – and urged a strong, […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
Thailand unveils post-crisis tourism marketing agenda
Bangkok – In what could be a global first, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has veered away from fixing tourism targets in terms of arrival numbers and shifted to expenditure stats. It has also dropped the short-lived marketing campaign slogan “It Begins with the People” and replaced it with “Amazing Thailand – Happiness Within.” And […]
more…8 Jul, 2014
Newswire Editor’s Lectures Strive to Help Bangladesh Boost Image, Grow Arrivals
Dhaka – Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil delivered two lectures on June 19-20 to senior executives of the travel industry and travel media in Bangladesh, a rapidly-emerging destination on the Asia-Pacific travel & tourism stage. The topics, ‘Presenting Bangladesh in the Positive Way’ and ‘Stakeholders Role in Destination Marketing’, allowed a powerful interchange […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
New UN forum seeks to chart post-2015 global development agenda
United Nations, UN News Centre, 30 June 2014 – As countries ramp up their efforts to achieve the set of anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 deadline, a new United Nations forum seeks to spur them on as well as to help them create the foundation for new […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
UN unveils roadmap to boost small-scale, family forest producers
UN News Centre, 30 June 2014 – If small-scale forest and farm producers joined to form producer organizations, they could increase forest productivity and improve livelihoods of local communities, the United Nations agricultural agency and its partners today reported. In two separate co-publications, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) wrote that indigenous peoples, local […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
Israel wants occupation, not peace – Full text of brilliant speech by Gideon Levy
Speech delivered by Haaretz Columnist Gideon Levy at the Israel Conference on Peace, Tel Aviv, 06 July 2014 Israel does not want peace. There is nothing I have ever written that I would be happier to be proved wrong about. But the evidence is piling up. In fact, it can be said that Israel has […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
Hakuhodo Survey: People of ASEAN Share Four Holistic Lifestyle Attitudes
BANGKOK, July 2 (ANTARA/Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/Travel Impact Newswire) — In preparation for the integrated ASEAN Community in 2015, Japan’s second largest advertising agency Hakuhodo Inc has set up the Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living ASEAN (HILL ASEAN), in Bangkok to get deeper, more holistic insights into the minds of ASEAN consumers. Preliminary results of the […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
India Pursues Improved Livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, 05-July-2014 – The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Thaawar Chand Gehlot inaugurated the 13th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to review implementation of PWD Act here today. The Minister said in his address to the State Commissioners from 32 States/UTs that the […]
more…6 Jul, 2014
Gallup Polls: Americans Sense Diminishing Freedoms, Growing Corruption
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2014 (Gallup Polls) — Fewer Americans are satisfied with the freedom to choose what they do with their lives compared with seven years ago — dropping 12 percentage points from 91% in 2006 to 79% in 2013. In that same period, the percentage of Americans dissatisfied with the freedom to choose […]
more…5 Jul, 2014
Kobe to give visitors free Wi-Fi access
KOBE, Kyodo, Jul 4, 2014 – Officials in Kobe said Friday the city will launch a free wireless Internet service for foreign tourists from the end of this month. The service is aimed at improving services for tourists visiting the city while encouraging them to share their experiences instantly on social networking services. From July […]
more…5 Jul, 2014
Brazilians doubt impact of World Cup on economy, but see big tourism dividend
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 4, 2014, (Gallup Polls) — Brazilians’ hopes are likely high Friday as their national team faces Colombia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Shortly before the tournament began, however, the Brazilian public was rather skeptical about the economic benefits of hosting the most expensive World Cup in history. In May, 55% […]
more…4 Jul, 2014
Flawed research on APD “success story” does PATA a disservice
Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association has produced a special edition of Issues & Trends to discuss the subject of travel taxes, with a particular focus on the UK Air Passenger Duty. Drawing upon a number of studies by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the International Air Transport Association, the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Tourism & […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
Exclusive: 2013 Thai Visitor Profile Stats Show 22.7% Surge in Female Arrivals
BANGKOK – Female visitors to Thailand surged by 22.7% to a record high of 11,426,411 in 2013, according to a full profile of the arrivals for last year released by Tourism Authority of Thailand this week. While the total number of arrivals are released every month, a detailed analysis of the profile and expenditure usually […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
McDonald’s Burgers Named Worst in America in Consumer Reports’ New Fast-Food Survey
YONKERS, NY (PRWEB) July 02, 2014 – The burgers that made McDonald’s famous have been deemed the worst-tasting of all the major U.S burger chains by Consumer Reports’ readers. And when it comes to the most satisfying fast-food dining experience, biggest isn’t always best ― KFC and Sbarro earned some of the lowest scores in […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
Gallup Polls: Americans Losing Confidence in All Branches of U.S. Gov’t
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2014 (Gallup Polls) — Americans’ confidence in all three branches of the U.S. government has fallen, reaching record lows for the Supreme Court (30%) and Congress (7%), and a six-year low for the presidency (29%). The presidency had the largest drop of the three branches this year, down seven percentage points […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
Beijing vows tax refunds to lure foreign visitors
Beijing (chinadaily.com.cn), 2014-07-01 – Beijing has vowed to institute a tax refund program this year to attract more overseas travelers. “Beijing will introduce the tax refund program within this year, to attract more visitors from abroad,” said Song Yu, head of the Beijing Tourism Development Commission. The program would allow foreign travelers to claim tax […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
Sri Lanka must do more to curb hate speech, faith-based violence – UN rights experts
United Nations, UN News Centre, 2 July 2014 – Aiming to stem the tide of violent attacks and recrimination against Sri Lanka’s Muslim and Christian communities, a group of United Nations human rights experts called today on the Government to adopt urgent measures to stop the promotion of racial and faith-based hatred and end “the […]
more…3 Jul, 2014
European countries fight for Chinese tourists
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 02, 2014 – Many European countries have relaxed or simplified visa application procedures for China this year. This is mainly due to increasingly close political relations between China and the EU. Eager to put the financial crisis behind them, EU countries also hope that opening the door to more Chinese […]
more…2 Jul, 2014
Georgetown Institute Research: How Americans Will Celebrate July 4
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 01, 2014 – The Georgetown Institute for Consumer Research recently polled consumers about their plans for this July 4 holiday – ranging from activities, to food choices, to the average amount of money people are willing to spend, finding preferences for barbecues, burgers, sparklers, and a bipartisan sentiment for governments hosting fireworks displays. […]
more…2 Jul, 2014
US$225 million ADB loan to help Bangladesh tackle river erosion
Dhaka, 1 July 2014, (ADB media release) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will fund state-of-the-art riverbank protection measures in Bangladesh to prevent land erosion, which is destroying livelihoods and costing the economy an estimated $250 million a year. An ADB multitranche loan financing facility of $255 million will help put in place riverbank protection […]
more…2 Jul, 2014
12 reasons why Bangladesh will be bigger than Myanmar
Dhaka – Although much of the buzz today is about Myanmar coming in from the cold, a country with even bigger future potential is Bangladesh. This editor visited the country between June 18-22 on invitation of the Bangladesh Tourism Board to deliver two lectures on strategies to balance negative media coverage and involve stakeholders in […]
more…1 Jul, 2014
U.S. Consumers League Study: Consumers Losing Trust in Businesses
Washington, DC, June 30, 2014, National Consumers League – Today, the National Consumers League #DataInsecurity Project released a new survey of identity fraud victims which finds that Americans are urgently calling out for government action on the growing threat posed by data breach and identity theft. The study, conducted in partnership with Javelin Strategy & […]
more…30 Jun, 2014
Thai private sector’s wish-list of tourism recovery strategies and actions
Hua Hin — Senior executives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand from head office and worldwide are to start their 2014-15 marketing planning meetings here today with a clear focus on campaigns to recover from the 8-month political unrest. The recovery campaign is likely to draw upon the recommendations of the Tourism Council of Thailand, […]
more…30 Jun, 2014
World Cup literally killing people in China
(China Daily) 2014-06-28 – World Cup soccer matches screened live on TV in China throughout the night are taking their toll on fans. Doctors have been treating them for a range of conditions, including coronary spasms, high blood pressure and kidney disease. For example, early on Friday morning, a weary middle-aged woman visited Wei Ming, […]
more…29 Jun, 2014
New Caledonia, Tokelau, French Polynesia seek “self-determination” from France
United Nations, 27 June 2014, Department of Public Information – The Special Committee on Decolonization today concluded its 2014 substantive session with the approval, without a vote, of three draft resolutions, including one calling on France, New Caledonia’s administering Power, to consider developing an education programme to inform the people in the Territory about the […]
more…29 Jun, 2014
New report reveals detailed demographic profile of Australia
Canberra, 26 June 2014, (Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) – A new report compiling data from the 2011 Census provides a key statistical picture of the Australian population and the make-up of migrant communities, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Mr Scott Morrison said today. The People of Australia report, based on Australian Bureau […]
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