5 Aug, 2017

Pew Research: Globally, more people see U.S. power and influence as a major threat

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August 1, 2017 (Pew Research Centre) – Concerns about American power and influence have risen in countries around the world amid steep drops in U.S. favorability and confidence in the U.S. president. Across 30 nations surveyed by Pew Research Center both in 2013 and this spring, a median of 38% now say U.S. power and […]

5 Aug, 2017

Indian Armed Forces veterans condemn Modi govt: “Dissent is not treason”

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New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) A group of Indian armed forces veterans have flagged their concern over “divisiveness” and “relentless vigilantism” gripping the country and condemned the targeting of Muslims and Dalits. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 114 veterans wrote that issues like vigilantism and “targeting of Muslims and Dalits” have […]

5 Aug, 2017

ETOA Statement: Ministerial Response to European Border Delays is ‘Self-Mutilation’

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London, 4 August 2017 (ETOA media release) – The new Schengen border controls, which were planned and announced before the Brexit vote last year, impose rigorous checks on those people entering the Schengen zone, which embraces 26 European countries. This has caused severe delays – the very kind of delays routinely experienced by visitors entering […]

5 Aug, 2017

U.S. Govt’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Approach Continues to Single Out Muslims

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By CAIR Government Affairs Coordinator Amineh Safi (aSafi@cair.com) Last week, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a congressional hearing examining the government’s policy for countering violent extremism (CVE) domestically.  Disappointingly, like the federal government’s overall CVE program, the oversight committee singled out the American Muslim community as the sole focus of its countering violent extremism […]

4 Aug, 2017

How Thai tourism’s history deficit saw it lose a huge ASEAN@50 opportunity

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – As ASEAN prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its formation on 08 Aug 2017, the Thai tourism industry has lost a major opportunity to celebrate the central role played by the Kingdom in ASEAN’s formation, and better understand the significant linkage between peace, ASEAN integration, diplomacy and travel. Had there been greater […]

3 Aug, 2017

European passengers face four-hour security queues, flight delays this summer

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Brussels, 27 July 2017, (A4E) –Thousands of flights recently had to be delayed because EU border controls are significantly understaffed to comply with tightened immigration checks — some passengers even missed their flights. During this busy summer travel season, airline travellers have become victims of the disproportionate impact that the implementation of a new EU […]

3 Aug, 2017

Lessons from the Malaysian National Museum for the future of ASEAN

Imtiaz Muqbil

Kuala Lumpur — As a history buff, I enjoy visiting museums. These homes for the preservation of history are the best places to learn the lessons of history, and perhaps avoid repeating past mistakes. Last week, I visited the Malaysian National Museum in Kuala Lumpur for the third time. This visit had a special significance. […]

1 Aug, 2017

Langkawi’s PATA Event to help Malaysia hit 2020 tourism target

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Malaysia, Langkawi, 29 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — The PATA Travel Mart 2018, to be held in Langkawi, will pave the way for Malaysia to achieve its 2020 target of 36 million tourist arrivals annually with a RM168-billion income from the tourism industry. Tourism Malaysia director-general, Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said the event, which will be held […]

1 Aug, 2017

Malaysia: Wat Charok Padang Continues to Attract Tourists

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Malaysia, SIK, 27 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — A bottle-shaped Buddhist temple, Wat Charok Padang, here continues to attract tourists who came to see the First Bottle-Made Temple in Malaysia as listed in the Malaysia Book of Records. The temple, which was inspired from Wat Pa Maha Kaew or the Temple of Million Bottles in Sisaket, […]

1 Aug, 2017

Qatar Airways Sticks to Plane Orders Despite Crisis

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Doha, Qatar, 29 July 2017, (NNN-QNA) — Qatar Airways continues to make money, and will go through with jet orders it’s already committed to, as the nation seeks an international ruling, restoring its access to air corridors, the Minister of Transport & Communications, Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, said. “We are continuing and maybe we’ll go […]

1 Aug, 2017

Kenya Eyes More Chinese Tourists After Jack Ma’s Visit

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Kenya, Nairobi, 31 July 2017, (NNN-Xinhua) — Kenya’s tourism marketers promised to bring more Chinese tourists to the East African nation after a visit by Chinese business magnate Jack Ma. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said travel agents have termed the visit by the billionaire a major boost and endorsement to their campaigns – that seek […]

1 Aug, 2017

New Air Route to link Vietnam’s Da Nang and China’s Zuni

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China, Beijing, 31 July 2017, (NNN-Bernama) — Chinese tourist arrivals in Vietnam are expected to rise after the launch of a direct air route between Vietnam’s Da Nang city and China’s Zunyi city, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. The route, to start on Aug 5 and served by an Airbus A321, will take off at […]

1 Aug, 2017

China to boost green manufacturing in Yangtze River Economic Belt

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China, Beijing, 30 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China will develop green manufacturing in the Yangtze River Economic Belt to reduce pollution and boost economic growth. The total industrial output of green manufacturing in the region will reach 5 trillion yuan (742 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020, according to guidelines released by the Ministry of Industry […]

1 Aug, 2017

Chinese smart bike-sharing platform Mobike launches service in London

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LONDON, 31 July 2017, (Xinhua) — Chinese bike-sharing company Mobike on Monday announced the launch of its popular service in London, starting in the West London borough of Ealing. The launch comes hot on the heels of Mobike’s success in launching the UK’s first council and community backed bicycle sharing scheme in Manchester just a […]

1 Aug, 2017

China supports two-state solution on Palestinian issue: President Xi

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BEIJING, 18 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China supports a political settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday. China supports Palestine in building an independent, full sovereignty state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Xi said in his talks with visiting Palestinian […]

1 Aug, 2017

UN agency develops new guidelines to help countries better monitor forest resources

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26 July 2017, (UN News) – The United Nations agriculture agency has created new guidelines to help countries develop a strong mechanism to monitor national forest resources. “The demand for reliable, up-to-date and more diverse forestry data and stronger analytical capacities at a national level has grown considerably in recent years,” said Eva Muller, Director […]

1 Aug, 2017

“This Is Palestine” documentary charts brutality of life under Israeli boot

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Israeli-occupied Palestine, 16 June 2017, (TrocairePLUS)–‘This Is Palestine’ follows the journey of Riverdance founder John McColgan through the West Bank and Gaza as he explores the impact of ongoing conflict and military occupation on the people who live there. The documentary features powerful interviews with people who have lost their home, land and family members […]

1 Aug, 2017

More Chinese students go on overseas study tours

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BEIJING, 29 July 2017, (Xinhua) — More and more Chinese students are putting overseas study tours on their agenda this summer. Consisting of language courses, sightseeing and international communication, study tours meet the demands of Chinese parents and students for a long and fruitful holiday, despite high costs of around 4,000 to 6,000 U.S. dollars. […]

1 Aug, 2017

China to plow big money into emerging industries

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BEIJING, 30 July 2017, (Xinhua) — China is set to boost investment in emerging sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to biopharmaceuticals as it seeks fresh growth impetus in the new industrial revolution. A number of local authorities, including Ningxia, Guangxi and Shandong, have rolled out support policies and detailed investment plans, eyeing a bigger proportion […]

1 Aug, 2017

Chinese tourists to Vietnam up 51% in 7 Months

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Hanoi, Vietnam, 28 July 2017, (NNN-Xinhua) — Vietnam is estimated to welcome over 2.2 million Chinese visitors in the first seven months of this year, up 51 percent against the same period last year, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said on Friday. Vietnam this year has so far received a total of over 7.2 […]

30 Jul, 2017

89 Chinese uber-rich to go on uber-luxury holiday to Kenya, Tahiti

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by Zhang Lei Beijing, chinadaily.com.cn, 2017-07-28 – Crystal Skye, a luxury Boeing 777, will leave Hong Kong on Sept 30 for maiden eight-day cruise to Kenya and then Tahiti. Only 86 Chinese passengers will take the trip and be waited on by butlers and served Michelin-star quality food. The plane can hold up to 450 […]

29 Jul, 2017

Cruises: European Union moves to improve working conditions of seafarers on EU-flagged ships

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Brussels, 27 July 2017, European Commission media release – The European Commission is proposing that an agreement between social partners to improve the working conditions of seafarers on board of EU-flagged vessels, be enshrined in EU law. The proposal will ensure that seafarers are better protected against abandonment in foreign ports in the future, and […]

27 Jul, 2017

Tech Leaders, Office Workers Say Email Will Continue to Dominate in 2020, Followed by Instant Messaging

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MENLO PARK, Calif., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — While offices are steadily going paperless, inboxes will still be filling up in the next three years, according to respondents in two surveys recently conducted by Robert Half Technology. Regardless of their relationship to the technology – either those leading the group who manages and implements communication platforms […]

27 Jul, 2017

Vancouver Rally on July 30 For Pluralist India

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Source: An Hour For India — by Press Release — There has been a systematic attack on the rich pluralist society and culture of India since Narendra Modi came to power with a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) majority in 2014. A secular, democratic republic with guaranteed citizenship rights and constitutional protection of minorities is in the […]

27 Jul, 2017

Busan One Asia Festival, Asian No.1 Korean Wave Festival, to be held in October

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BUSAN, South Korea, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Best K-pop singers will meet their Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans from all over the world in Busan in October. They will come together in the 2017 Busan One Asia Festival (BOF), Asian No.1 Korean Wave Festival. The fest will be hosted by Busan Metropolitan City Government and run […]

27 Jul, 2017

AIDS still a global “burning crisis”

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PARIS, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE –The latest data presented at the 9th IAS Conference on HIV Science in Paris suggest that the AIDS crisis is on track to be over by 2020, but many persistent problems with access to treatment and prevention in hard-hit countries seem to contradict this optimistic outlook. “We are concerned that leaders […]

27 Jul, 2017

Amazon Introduces Prime Now in Singapore: Free Two-Hour Delivery on Tens of Thousands of Items

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SEATTLE, 26 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced the launch of Prime Now in Singapore, which offers free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items right from your phone. Customers can shop on the Prime Now app for everything on their list from eggs, cold beer and ice cream to baby […]

24 Jul, 2017

Why the Thai Tourism Action Plan has outlived its usefulness, and what to do about it

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – When Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn unveiled the TAT Action Plan for 2018 on 17 July 2017, he did something never done before at this annual event. He flashed up a slide showing the impact of climate change and the deteriorating conditions of some popular Thai beach resorts. Without mentioning […]

21 Jul, 2017

Thousands of Palestinians march towards Al-Aqsa to protest Israeli mosque restrictions

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JERUSALEM, July 21, 2017 (WAFA) – Thousands of Palestinians Friday afternoon marched towards Jerusalem’s Old City to express their rejection of the metal detectors, which the Israeli cabinet has decided to leave in place despite Palestinian protests. Islamic Waqf in charge of running the mosque compound called earlier this week on Palestinians in East Jerusalem […]

21 Jul, 2017

Chinese community joins S. Africans in marking Mandela Day by helping the poor

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CAPE TOWN, 20 July 2017, Xinhua — The Chinese community in Cape Town joined South Africans on Tuesday in marking the Nelson Mandela International Day by helping the poor. The Chinese Community Police Forum (CCPF) in the Cape West Coast hosted a charity event by donating daily necessities to the elderly at a time when […]

21 Jul, 2017

Chinese tourism study reveals expenditure shift from shopping to culture

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Beijing, 15 July 2017, China Daily — Chinese tourists are the biggest spenders in the world, but increasingly direct their dollars away from shopping to local culture. Their overall trip expenditure is still on the rise, according to a recent survey. The new study by Oliver Wyman, an international management consulting firm, covered 2,000 correspondents […]

21 Jul, 2017

China tightens regulation of private museums

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Beijing, 20 July 2017, Xinhua — China has issued new rules to strengthen the management of non-state-owned museums, forbidding private museums to distribute property among founders and sponsors when they are shut down. According to the regulation issued by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the residual property should be used for the public interest. […]

21 Jul, 2017

Citizens Against Government Waste Releases 2017 U.S. Congressional Pig Book

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WASHINGTON, 19 July 2017, BUSINESS WIRE–Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released its 2017 Congressional Pig Book, the 25th edition of the group’s exposé on pork-barrel spending. CAGW President Tom Schatz was joined at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. by Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chair […]

21 Jul, 2017

UnionPay International report: Chinese students abroad spend over 380 billion RMB

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SHANGHAI, 20 July 2017, PRNewswire — According to the Report on the Spending of Chinese Students’ Abroad (2017) issued by UnionPay International on July 20, Chinese students who study abroad spend over 380 billion RMB overseas each year and 80% of it are tuition fees and daily expenses (figures estimated based on the overseas spending […]

20 Jul, 2017

Maldives about to enter mass tourism era – is it prepared?

Imtiaz Muqbil

Malé, Maldives – A US$845 million expansion of the Malé international airport, the country’s biggest construction project ever, is expected to help the country hit a target of two million arrivals by 2020, about five times the national population and up from 1.3 million arrivals in 2016. Although it will open a new era in […]

20 Jul, 2017

On Nelson Mandela International Day, Palestinians say he was an inspiration

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RAMALLAH, July 19, 2017 (WAFA) – On the occasion of the Nelson Mandela International Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Wednesday honored the anti-Apartheid South African leader saying the long struggle he led against apartheid and its defeat in 1994 was an inspiration for all those struggling for justice around the globe. “The […]

20 Jul, 2017

2017 Taxi Price Index released – Travellers guide for taxi costs around the world

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London, United Kingdom, 13 July 2017, Carspring News — Online used car dealership Carspring have produced a study revealing the price of taxi use in 80 cities around the world. With their interests in all things automotive, the online dealer looked to bring transparency to the public regarding taxi costs, particularly for those who may […]

20 Jul, 2017

CAIR Report: 2017 on Track to Becoming One of Worst Years for Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes

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WASHINGTON, DC, 17 July 2017, CAIR News –The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released an update on anti-Muslim incidents in the second quarter (April-June) of 2017. CAIR’s quarterly report indicates that the number of hate crimes in the first half of 2017 spiked 91 percent […]

20 Jul, 2017

Jerusalem’s religious figures call for not using Israel’s e-gates at Al-Aqsa mosque

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JERUSALEM, 17 July 2017, (WAFA) — Jerusalem’s top Islamic religious figures Monday called upon Palestinians seeking to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque not to go through the metal detectors installed by Israeli police the day before at the entrances to the mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. The officials, who included the Mufti of Jerusalem, the head […]

17 Jul, 2017

FREE DOWNLOAD: The Olive Tree – How Travel & Tourism can Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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The Olive Tree is the first and only publication designed to help Travel & Tourism become a more enthusiastic part of the solution in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Free download. Click on any of the images below. ++++++++++ The Olive Tree Edition 14, July-August 2019 ++++++++++ The Olive Tree Edition 13, May-June 2019 […]

14 Jul, 2017

New global partnership to help countries tackle increasing e-waste challenges

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Geneva, 12 July 2017, ITU News –As digital and tech devices become more available worldwide, their responsible disposal is becoming a challenge for many countries. In response, ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technology (ICT) has partnered with the United Nations University (UNU), acting through its Vice Rectorate in Europe hosted […]

14 Jul, 2017

Over 12 mln yuan in fines issued in Chinese tourism industry crackdown

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Beijing, 11 July 2017, Xinhua — Over 12 million yuan (1.76 million U.S. dollars) in fines were issued during the country’s largest ever crackdown on its tourism industry. From February, the tourism watchdog worked with public security, industry and commerce authorities to launch the three-month long crackdown on irregular practices in the tourism industry. Thousands of inspectors […]

14 Jul, 2017

Chinese tourists to get visas on arrival in Qatar

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Beijing, 11 July 2017, People’s Daily Online — Qatar recently announced that tourists from China will be able to get 30-day visas on arrival for roughly $30. According to the official WeChat account of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday, Chinese tourists only need a passport with at least six months […]

14 Jul, 2017

Chinese company contracted to build Pakistan’s largest airport

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Beijing, 11 July 2017, People’s Daily Online — China Construction Third Engineering Bureau has won a 41-billion rupee (about 2.6 billion RMB) contract to engineer, procure, and construct the Allama Iqbal International Airport. It will be Pakistan’s largest airport after reconstruction, and local infrastructure will be improved too. It is the largest project that the Third Engineering […]

14 Jul, 2017

Billions around the world lack safe water, proper sanitation facilities: UN

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2 July 2017, UN News – Some three in ten people around the world lack access to safe and readily available water at home, and almost six in ten to safely managed sanitation, a new United Nations report has warned, calling on countries to do more to fulfil these basic human needs. According to the […]

14 Jul, 2017

Asia-Pacific moving in ‘wrong direction’ on some development targets, notes UN regional report

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United Nations, 11 July 2017, UN News – Despite an impressive track record, the Asia-Pacific region will need to scale up development efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the target envisioned, the United Nations development arm for the region has said. “The region is making progress towards achieving the Goals on […]

14 Jul, 2017

Eleven global banks partner with UN to make financial markets more climate transparent

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United Nations, 11 July 2017, UN News – Representing over $7 trillion, eleven major financial institutions around the globe have joined forces with the United Nations to promote climate transparency in financial markets, the Organization’s environment wing said today. According to a news release by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), ANZ, Barclays, Bradesco, Citi, Itaú, […]

11 Jul, 2017

Thai hotels show that it pays to be Muslim-friendly

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – July 8 marked the start of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period of abstinence from alcohol and other forms of self-restraint. As Buddhists still have to travel for both business and leisure, those keen to abide by the Lord Buddha’s precepts may find it easier to avoid alcohol by staying in a Thai Muslim-friendly […]

8 Jul, 2017

UN agency launches video to ‘forecast’ visual impact of climate change on global cities

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 July 2017 – In a year already marked by heatwaves and new daily temperature records, the United Nations weather agency and television weather anchors have joined forces to create video forecasts that explore how climate change would make future summers even hotter in major cities of the world. The […]

8 Jul, 2017

Second Global Cybersecurity Index launched

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 July 2017 – Only about half of all countries have a cybersecurity strategy or are in the process of developing one, the United Nations telecommunications agency today reported, urging more countries to consider national policies to protect against cybercrime. Releasing its second Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), the International Telecommunication […]

8 Jul, 2017

Univ of Phoenix Survey Finds Need to Use Personal Devices on Vacation Outweighs Cybersecurity Concerns

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PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 05, 2017 — The University of Phoenix® today released the results of its summer travel cybersecurity survey, which found that while half of registered U.S. voters worry about cybersecurity risks while on vacation, 55 percent feel that the need to use personal devices outweighs those risks. “Vacations are often a time when we […]

8 Jul, 2017

UNCTAD launches World Consumer Protection Map for the Digital Age

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Geneva, 7 July 2017, UNCTAD/PRESS – Another global malware attack, another leak of personal details online, this time of 200 million US citizens. It’s no wonder that consumers are concerned about online security, data protection and cybercrime. Trust in the internet is essential for inclusive e-commerce, but trust must be earned. So how can we […]

3 Jul, 2017

The India I love and will always be proud of appears to have receded – by Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times

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3 Jul, 2017

Chinese spend 3 hours a day on smartphones, ranking 2nd globally: Survey

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Beijing, People’s Daily Online, 2017-06-28 — Chinese nationals spend an average of three hours a day on their smartphones, ranking second in the world after Brazilians who spend two additional hours on their phones, according to a survey by a German internet company. In just a few years, smart phones have transformed from a communication […]

3 Jul, 2017

The 2017 International Toilet Tourism Award Winners Announced

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03 July 2017 – Six public toilets loved by tourists have officially wiped the floor with the competition. Winners include a cliffhanger dunny where you can sit and watch crocodiles basking while you do your business. Overall winner Toowoomba Portable Toilets; basking crocodile under the cliffhanger loo (top right) at Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territories, Australia; […]

30 Jun, 2017

Asia Premiere of banned documentary film “Sittwe” on Myanmar’s Rakhine State

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Bangkok – Sittwe is a short documentary about two teenagers affected by conflict in Burma’s Rakhine state. The film was banned to premiere at the Human Rights, Human Dignity International Film Festival in Myanmar by government censors. It will be shown at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in Bangkok at 7pm, Wednesday July 5, […]

30 Jun, 2017

APEC Helps Small Fashion Houses Go Global

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Hong Kong – China | 23 June 2017 — Trade officials from APEC member economies and the USD1.3 trillion fashion industry have sewn a new partnership to make it easier for up and coming designers in the Asia-Pacific to build their brands and trade internationally. Under the arrangement, officials, together with fashion designers and industry […]

30 Jun, 2017

Muslim lynchings by cow vigilantes batter India’s image

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India’s image is taking a global battering these days. Here is a collection of news items, both in India and abroad, showing the public relations crisis facing the country as it abandons its once cherished democratic, secular credentials and steadily drifts towards becoming a Hindu theocracy Modictatorship. The impact of this on travel & tourism […]

27 Jun, 2017

U.S. Supreme Court Muslim Travel Ban: Get set for chaos, confusion, maelstrom and more Islamophobia

Imtiaz Muqbil

The following is a roundup of reactions by four advocacy groups representing Muslims, the Arab-American community and the Business Travel community. ADC Troubled by the Supreme Court’s Decision to Partially Reinstate Travel Ban Washington, D.C., June 26, 2017 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination (ADC) condemns the Supreme Court’s decision to partially reinstate the Arab and Muslim […]

26 Jun, 2017

Everbridge Research: Growing Mobile Workforce Expects Companies to Help Protect Them While Traveling

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BURLINGTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 21, 2017 — Everbridge, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVBG), a global software company that provides critical event management and enterprise safety applications to help keep people safe and businesses running, today announced the findings of its research into the safety of mobile, remote and traveling workers. The report, “Protecting the Modern Mobile Workforce,” focuses […]

25 Jun, 2017

EIA: Leaked EU-Japan Trade Agreement Would Increase Illegal Logging Globally

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 23, 2017 – Draft documents published today set the terms for a new trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Japan (JEFTA) that, in its current form, would likely result in increased illegal logging and timber smuggling, including within Europe’s last remaining virgin forests. The documents, posted to the website www.trade-leaks.org by […]

25 Jun, 2017

China e-commerce market to grow 19% in 2017: report

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SHANGHAI, June 22 (Xinhua) — The e-commerce market in China is expected to grow by about 19 percent year on year in 2017, a report said on Thursday. China has entered “a new retail era” characterized by online and offline (o2o) retail that has created huge potential and demand, especially for customized products, according to […]

25 Jun, 2017

As of 2019, Beijing’s new 7-runway airport to be world’s biggest aviation hub

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Beijing, (CRI Online) June 24, 2017 — The new airport under construction south of Beijing will become the world’s biggest aviation hub, reports the financial media company Bloomberg. Located on the southern part of Daxing district, along the border with Hebei province, the new airport is planned to go into service in 2019. “There are […]

23 Jun, 2017

China counts 1.58 million high-net-worth individuals in 2016

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By Sun Wenyu Beijing, (People’s Daily Online)  – China’s population of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), defined as those who have investable assets in excess of 10 million RMB, reached 1.58 million in 2016, according to the China Private Wealth Report, jointly issued by China Commercial Bank (CMB) and management consulting firm Bain on June 20. The […]

22 Jun, 2017

Nominations for 2017 Australian Disability Awards Open

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Canberra, 21 June 2017 – The Hon Jane Prentice MP, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services has announced that nominations are now open for the 2017 National Disability Awards. Individuals, workplaces, and service providers, who have improved the lives of Australians with disability, are encouraged to submit a nomination for the Awards before […]

22 Jun, 2017

China to standardize use of English on public signs

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By Kou Jie Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), June 21, 2017 — Chinese authorities on June 20 issued a national standard for the use of English in the public domain, eradicating poor translations that damage the country’s image. The standard, jointly issued by China’s Standardization Administration and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, aims to […]

22 Jun, 2017

China to launch 2nd phase of cross-border interbank payment system for RMB

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SHANGHAI, June 21 (Xinhua) — The second phase of the Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) will be launched in Shanghai to promote the global use of the Chinese currency and the Belt and Road Initiative. The upcoming launch of CIPS Phase II in Shanghai will further boost the building of the international financial center there, […]

22 Jun, 2017

Voice of China: US should look in the mirror before lecturing the world on human rights

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By Curtis Stone Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), June 20, 2017 – Responding to US President Donald Trump’s announcement on June 16 that he is reversing steps to normalize relations with Cuba, the Cuban government said the US is in no position to lecture on human rights. In a speech described by the Cuban government as “full […]

22 Jun, 2017

Here’s why you should read this new anthology on the Israel-Palestine conflict — Hindustan Times

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The book was launched on June 18 to commemorate this month’s anniversary of the 1967 Mideast War, in which Israel took control of the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip. Hebrew and Arabic versions are to hit bookshelves in Israel and the Palestinian territories later this week. Speaking to reporters at Jerusalem’s American Colony […]

22 Jun, 2017

China takes measures to boost sharing economy

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BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) — A guideline to further boost the blossoming of sharing economy was approved at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. According to the guideline, the sector will enjoy easier access, greater policy transparency, and better protection of legitimate rights of platform companies, resources providers and […]

20 Jun, 2017

Switzerland tops World Innovation Index; India and other emerging markets on the rise

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 June 2017 – Innovation is a key development tool that could boost economies and provide a way out of the growing squeeze on the world’s food resources – one of the major challenges of the 21st century – according to a new United Nations report. “Innovation is the engine […]

20 Jun, 2017

Qatar Blockade: Global Trades Union blasts Gulf royal families for jeopardising lives of migrant millions

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Brussels, 19 June 2017 (ITUC OnLine):  Concerns over the conditions of migrant workers in Qatar are mounting, as the blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other countries continues.  Workers from Bangladesh, India and Nepal are telling of essential food prices doubling with the sealing of the Saudi border and closure of air […]

19 Jun, 2017

Australia opens Great Barrier Reef cruise ship policy for public consultation

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Canberra, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 16/06/2017 – Public feedback is invited on a draft policy for cruise ship operations in the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s draft policy brings together all current management arrangements for cruise ships operating across the Reef and promotes ecologically-sustainable activities. Great Barrier Reef […]

19 Jun, 2017

Theme Index and Museum Index 2016 shows Asian waterparks making a big splash

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HONG KONG, June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The 2016 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index, an annual study of attendance at top theme parks, water parks and museums around the world, reveals mixed results for calendar year 2016. While attendance at the top 25 global theme parks dipped by 1.1 percent, the world’s top 10 […]

19 Jun, 2017

ASEAN, EU to boost student mobility in the ASEAN region

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MANILA, 14 June 2017 (ASEAN secretariat media release) – Today, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines’ Commission for Higher Education (CHED), and the European Union (EU) joined forces to organise the First ASEAN Student Mobility Forum in Manila to capture and promote the benefits of student mobility in ASEAN. About 200 students […]

19 Jun, 2017

One Professor’s Journey from Israeli-occupied Palestine to Israeli-occupied USA

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By Prof Mazin Qumsiyeh I spent 40 hours on grueling travel between Palestine and the USA and my documents (and luggage) were checked 15-20 times along the way. The Israeli occupied United States is not much different from Israeli occupied Palestine. I will not bore you with details of going from Bethlehem to Jordan. I […]

14 Jun, 2017

Global aviation growth projects need for 530,000 pilots, 550,000 technicians over 20 years

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Bangkok, 14 June 2017 – The world’s passenger aircraft fleet above 100 seats is set to more than double in the next 20 years to over 40,000 planes as traffic is set to grow at 4.4 percent per year, according to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast 2017-2036. Over this period, increasing numbers of first time […]

14 Jun, 2017

Asia-based HIV Workers Explore Innovative Use of Social Media to Combat Rising Infection Rate

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BANGKOK, June 14, 2017 (APcom Press release) – Reducing rising rates of HIV transmission among Asian gay men through the innovative use of digital communications is the focus of a special event which opened today in Bangkok. Connecting Asia is a three-day regional consultation – the first event of its kind in Asia – that […]

14 Jun, 2017

153 detained for airline ticket fraud following worldwide Interpol operation

Imtiaz Muqbil

Lyon, France, 13 June 2017, (Interpol media release) – An international operation targeting airline fraudsters has resulted in the detention of 153 individuals suspected of using tickets purchased with stolen, compromised or fake credit card details. Involving 64 countries, during the sixth Global Airport Action Days from 6 to 8 June, 84 airlines and eight […]

13 Jun, 2017

U.S. Extremist Anti-Islam Rallies a ‘Bust,’ Counter-Protests Far Overshadowed Hate Marches

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WASHINGTON, June 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said anti-Islam rallies held around the country on Saturday were a “bust” and were far overshadowed by counter-demonstrators who outnumbered the Islamophobes and their white supremacist and anti-government allies almost 10-to-1. SEE: NY Anti-Sharia […]

13 Jun, 2017

Mekong Tourism Forum 2017: Prospering, but for what Purpose?

Imtiaz Muqbil

Luang Prabang, Laos – One of the most powerful messages of the Mekong Tourism Forum held in this UNESCO world heritage site between 7-9 June was the contrast between the core argument advocated by the keynote speaker and the rest of the programme content. While Anna Pollock, the UK-based Founder of Conscious.Travel, flagged clear warnings […]

10 Jun, 2017

Number of Potential Migrants Worldwide Tops 700 Million – Gallup Polls

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 8 June 2017 (Gallup Polls) — After cooling off in the wake of the Great Recession, worldwide, people’s desire to migrate permanently to another country showed signs of rebounding between 2013 and 2016. Gallup found 14% of the world’s adults — which translates to nearly 710 million people — saying they would like […]

10 Jun, 2017

Time to impose visa curbs on U.S. citizens globally

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – An extremist anti-Muslim hate group is planning to hold rallies across 29 cities in the United States on June 10 to highlight what it calls the threat of “Sharia law”. Although the website of ACT for America describes these rallies as being opposition to female genital mutilation, honor killings and violence towards the […]

6 Jun, 2017

From a Vietnamese farm to Forbes: The start-up that wowed Subic Ecotourism Fest

Imtiaz Muqbil

Subic Bay, the Philippines – Of the many erudite presentations at the Subic Ecotourism Festival held between 28 May – 2 June, the most inspiring was the story of how a young Vietnamese girl overcame poverty, illiteracy, an alcoholic father and single motherhood to land up on the cover of Forbes Asia magazine as a […]

27 May, 2017

European Commission simplifies rules for public investment in ports, airports, culture and the outermost regions

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Brussels, 17 May 2017, European Commission – Press release – The European Commission has approved today new state aid rules that exempt certain public support measures for ports, airports, culture and the outermost regions from prior Commission scrutiny. The objective is to facilitate public investment for job creation and growth whilst preserving competition. Commissioner Margrethe […]

27 May, 2017

Report: More European sites meet excellent bathing water quality standards than ever before

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Brussels, 23 May 2017, European Commission – Press release – More than 85% of bathing water sites monitored across Europe in 2016 met the most stringent ‘excellent’ quality standards — meaning they were mostly free from pollutants harmful to human health and the environment, according to the annual bathing water quality report published today. Over […]

27 May, 2017

Clash of Generations: A Politically Incorrect Analysis of the PATA Summit 2017

Imtiaz Muqbil

Colombo — Of the many facets of internal and external change impacting the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the most important is the demographic transition from the ageing old guard to the young generation of millennials. The significantly different issues and challenges facing both were on full display during the PATA Annual Summit (PAS) May 18-21. […]

21 May, 2017

Chinese visitors flock to Philippines after bilateral ties are reset

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Beijing (People’s Daily Online)  May 19, 2017 – The number of Chinese people applying for visas to travel to the Philippine recently shot up by 200 percent, as the Chinese government canceled all travel alerts for citizens going to the country, according to Philippine news site Inquirer.net on May 18. With a booming tourism industry […]

21 May, 2017

China tourism investment to top 1.5 trillion yuan in 2017

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BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — China’s tourism investment is expected to maintain rapid growth in 2017 as ongoing consumption upgrades will keep the sector on the fast track. The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Friday said tourism will remain a magnet for private capital, predicting direct investment will jump more than 20 percent from last […]

21 May, 2017

U.S. Families Will Spend Average of 1/3rd of Their Summer Staring at a Screen

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CHICAGO-May 18, 2017 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–With warmer weather finally arriving in most parts of the country and the school year winding down to a close, Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) (www.groupon.com) asked 1,000 U.S. parents how much time their families plan to spend on their electronic devices this summer––and the results were staggering. The average American family will […]

20 May, 2017

Amid ‘alarming rise’ in obesity, UN study finds one in three European adolescents overweight

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 17 May 2017 – Citing eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, the United Nations health agency launched a new publication today at the European Congress on Obesity in Portugal which revealed a rising number of obese adolescents in many countries across Europe. “Despite sustained efforts to tackle childhood obesity, […]

20 May, 2017

Big data can have a ‘big impact’ on achievement of Global Goals, UN says on IT Day

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 17 May 2017 – Mastering and measuring ‘big data’ – to map poverty from space or use mobile phones to track food security – could boost evidence-based decision-making at local and global levels and drive the implementation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations telecommunications agency said […]

20 May, 2017

Societal Impact of Pain Costs the EU up to 441 Billion Euros Annually

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BRUSSELS & VALETTA, Malta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 19, 2017  – Pain causes a problem for individuals as well as a challenge for healthcare systems, economies and society: each year, approximately one in five Europeans or 20 percent of the adult population in Europe are affected by chronic pain. This includes 153 million people suffering migraine or other […]

20 May, 2017

“The Olive Tree”: New Publication launched to help Travel & Tourism meet UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Colombo — A pioneering publication designed to help the travel & tourism industry put its shoulder to the wheel of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been launched at the PATA Annual Summit here in the Sri Lankan capital this week. Although discussion of the SDGs is taking up a lot of time and […]

18 May, 2017

PATA pushes transparency agenda, goes public with finances

Imtiaz Muqbil

Colombo – The Pacific Asia Travel Association advanced its transparency agenda at its annual summit this week by publishing its first annual report in decades, including a detailed report on its financial status. In a move that will pressure other global and regional travel industry to follow suit, PATA CEO Mario Hardy circulated the annual […]

18 May, 2017

Global Trade Unions Call for G20 Commitment to Fair Globalisation

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Brussels, 17 May 2017 (INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION OnLine): The G20 Summit in July must finally agree on conditions for fair globalisation, according to the international trade union movement. This was the central message in the statement of Labour-20 trade union centres handed to German Chancellor and G20 President Angela Merkel at a meeting in […]

17 May, 2017

International Poll by World Union Body Shows Global Governance Failure on Jobs

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Brussels, 15 May 2017 (ITUC OnLine): The annual global poll commissioned by the 181 million-member International Trade Union Confederation shows that globalisation is failing people. The poll shows that 73 percent of people are worried about losing their jobs and 80 percent say the minimum wage is not enough to live on. Half the population […]

15 May, 2017

FREE Download: UN report assesses ‘huge benefits’ and challenges of green energy revolution

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 12 May 2017 – The latest United Nations report on energy-efficiency technologies shows that low-carbon technologies apparently aid clean air, save water and cut land use, and could reduce 25 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 17 million tonnes of particulates a year. “We are on the right track. […]

15 May, 2017

20 years after moving to Asia, a chance for PATA to reclaim its former glory

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The PATA Annual Summit to be held 18-22 May in Sri Lanka offers a golden chance for the regional travel organisation to capitalise on a number of converging opportunities and regain the leadership status dating back to 1998, when it moved the HQ from San Francisco to Bangkok. The Summit takes place against […]

12 May, 2017

European Union Ready to Build Cooperative New World Order, Its Top Diplomat Tells UN Security Council

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United Nations, (UN meetings coverage record) 09 May 2017 – Describing the European Union as an indispensable partner of the United Nations, the bloc’s senior-most diplomat told the Security Council today that it was ready to move beyond the current international uncertainty and join the Organization in building a more cooperative world order. “The European […]