14 Mar, 2016

UN statistical body agrees to global indicators to measure sustainable development goals

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11 March 2016, (UN News Centre) – The United Nations Statistical Commission today agreed on a set of global indicators that will measure success towards the new sustainable development agenda, which will lead anti-poverty efforts through 2030. On the last day of its 47th session, the Commission approved a draft global indicator framework intended for […]

14 Mar, 2016

Thailand: Terminal 2 at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport Officially Opened

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Bangkok, Thailand, 8 March 2016, (NNN-Bernama) — Terminal 2 at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, which has been officially opened, is expected to boost the airport’s capacity to be able to cater up to 30 million passengers annually from 29 million currently, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported. Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) President Nitinai […]

14 Mar, 2016

China’s Anbang to Acquire America’s Strategic Hotels for $6.5 billion

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13 March 2016, (People’s Daily Online) – China’s Anbang Insurance Group has agreed to acquire America’s Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. for around $6.5 billion, according to Bloomberg on Saturday. The deal comes just three months after Strategic Hotels’ current owner, private equity firm Blackstone Group, took the company private for around $6 billion. Strategic […]

13 Mar, 2016

Government agencies can function better as ‘model’ businesses – Report

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Australia, 10 March 2016, (ASBC News) – Government agencies across Australia can clearly improve the way is which they conduct business with the private sector, according to a major report on government business behaviour by the Australian Small Business Commissioner. If government agencies improved their performance and were examples of good business behaviour the benefits to […]

13 Mar, 2016

Afternoon siestas ward off fatigue, boost productivity – Australian Centre for Sleep Research

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Australia, 10 Mar 2016, (RIRDC News) -As we head into another busy time of year, grain and cotton growers especially are being encouraged to consider the benefits of giving in to the urge to have a post-lunch siesta. New research shows the impact of fatigue on farmers is as bad as having an above-the limit […]

12 Mar, 2016

New study reveals contrasting views of women’s roles in the workplace, at home, and in society

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Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) March 05, 2016  – The Suffragettes and activists like Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and Coretta Scott King dreamed of a world where women would be viewed as being on the same footing as men. It is unlikely, however, that they would have anticipated a recent and fervent backlash to feminism, lead by […]

12 Mar, 2016

U.S. Baby Boomers Regret Not Having Travelled Enough – British Airways Survey

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 11, 2016 – A British Airways survey of 2,000 U.S. baby boomers (aged 55 and over) shows that the generation born between 1946 and 1961 have a newfound interest in seeing the world as they enter into retirement, but not everyone’s prepared for long-haul travel. The survey data shows that despite working […]

12 Mar, 2016

Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia Urged to End Indefinite Detention of Rohingya Refugees

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Bangkok, March 11, 2016—Fortify Rights media release – The Governments of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia should end the indefinite detention of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and provide them with full protection, said Fortify Rights and the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) in a new briefing published today. Almost ten months after human trafficking syndicates abandoned […]

10 Mar, 2016

News for Gay Travellers: UNAIDS piloting new mobile platform to better inform HIV patients, improve health care

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9 March 2016, (UN News Centre) – Starting this month, a thousand people living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire will receive additional health information through their mobile phones, the United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response announced today. The four-month pilot project in Abidjan is part of a collaboration between the Joint UN Programme […]

10 Mar, 2016

EU Funds Grants to 30 Palestinian NGOs

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Ramallah, Palestine, 9 March 2016, (WAFA) – Thirty Palestinian civil society organizations signed on Wednesday individual grants agreements with the Palestinian Central Elections Commission. Funded by the European Union, the grants will promote the engagement and participation of Palestinian public in future national elections, as well as enhance and increase Palestinians’ participation in electoral and […]

10 Mar, 2016

World Bank Helps Promote Safe Travel for Women in Public Transport Systems

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Washington DC, 08 March 2016, (World Bank News Feature) When you take public transportation, whether a metro or a bus, you may not automatically think about gender differences. But men and women’s experiences with transport systems differ greatly, particularly when related to their physical security and safety. Recent research has shown high levels of violence […]

10 Mar, 2016

FREE Download: UN report lists grim toll of Asia-Pacific natural and man-made disasters in 2015

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Bangkok (ESCAP News) 10 March 2016 — The Asia-Pacific region continued to be the world’s most disaster prone region in 2015. According to a new report by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the region accounted for over half the world’s 344 disasters in 2015, resulting in over 16,000 […]

8 Mar, 2016

Factors Driving Growth in Global Luggage Market

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Dublin, Ireland, 03 March 2016, (Business Wire)- Changing lifestyles, increasing urbanization, and growing interest of people in tourism are the key drivers of the global luggage market. The increasing travel and tours, growing business activities, and increasing numbers of educational courses are further propelling the demand for luggage. The fluctuating recreation patterns and increasing disposable […]

8 Mar, 2016

Step into the World of Virtual Japanese Art with ANA

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Tokyo, Japan, 29 February 2016, (Business Wire)-As part of its “IS JAPAN COOL” initiative, Japan’s largest airline ANA shines the spotlight on art-based tourism in Japan. Visitors can now experience the world of Japanese contemporary art before even stepping foot into the country, made possible through ANA’s “IJC Museum“, a virtual art gallery that can […]

8 Mar, 2016

Australia releases 2015 University Student Experience Survey National Report

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Australia, 4 March 2016, (The Department of Education and Training Media Centre)-More than one in four Australian university students want better support or higher quality learning materials, according to the latest national snapshot of student experiences. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the 2015 Student Experiences Survey should help focus efforts so more […]

8 Mar, 2016

European Cities Attract Growing Numbers of Tourists, Despite a Troubled Year

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Vienna, Austria, 7 March 2016, (PR Newswire) — European Cities Marketing has demonstrated the dominant and most dynamic aspect of European tourism: city tourism, which for years has continued to grow twice as fast as national tourism. Based on the preliminary results of the upcoming European Cities Marketing Benchmarking Report, European cities maintained their strong […]

8 Mar, 2016

UN highlights need to close critical gender gaps in Asia-Pacific on Int’l Women’s Day

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Bangkok, Thailand, 8 March 2016, (ESCAP News) – For the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to succeed, we must root out the causes of inequality between women and men by addressing unequal gender relations and tackling structural barriers such as discriminatory legislation and macro-economic policies, prejudicial social norms and harmful practices, the United Nations underscored at a forum here today. […]

8 Mar, 2016

ILO: Large gender gaps remain across broad spectrum of global labour market

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Geneva, Switzerland, 7 March 2016, (ILO News) – Despite some modest gains in some regions in the world, millions of women are losing ground in their quest for equality in the world of work, according to a new report prepared by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as part of the ILO’s Women at Work Centenary Initiative . […]

8 Mar, 2016

Measuring Effectiveness of Technology to Promote Employee Well-being Proves Challenging

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New York, USA, 3 March 2016, (Business Wire)–New research by Xerox Human Resources Services in conjunction with the National Business Group on Health® demonstrates employers’ willingness to invest in emerging technologies aimed at improving employee well-being despite challenges measuring impact and return on investment. The biannual study, “Emerging Technology to Promote Employee Well-being,” examines the current use and […]

8 Mar, 2016

Trades Union Call for More Investment in the Care Economy: A Pathway to Growth

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Brussels, Belgium, 8 March 2016 (ITUC OnLine)– A new study released today by the ITUC shows that investment into the care economy of 2% of GDP in just 7 countries would create over 21 million jobs and help countries overcome the twin challenges of ageing populations and economic stagnation. The report http://www.ituc-csi.org/CareJobs which analysed the […]

8 Mar, 2016

Women earned on average 16% less than men in the EU – Report

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Brussels, Eurostat media release, 08 March 2016 – In 2014, the gender pay gap stood at 16.1% in the European Union (EU). In other words, women earned on average 84 cents for every euro a man makes per hour. Across Member States, the gender pay gap in 2014 ranged from less than 5% in Slovenia […]

5 Mar, 2016

FBI win in encryption case against Apple will end global privacy, personal freedoms – UN human rights chief

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 4 March 2016 – The top United Nations human rights official today urged United States authorities to proceed with great caution in their legal efforts to break the encryption on an iPhone linked to the investigation into the mass killings in San Bernardino, California, saying the case could have broader […]

4 Mar, 2016

European taxpayers fork out another €252.5 million to support Palestinians

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Brussels, 1 March 2016, European Commission – Press release – The European Commission has approved a €252.5 million assistance package supporting the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian refugees. It is the first part of the EU’s 2016 annual support package in favour of Palestine. High Representative/ Vice-President Federica Mogherini, said: “The European Union renews its concrete […]

4 Mar, 2016

Beijing center helps woo foreign talent

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Beijing, Republic of China, 02 March 2016, (China Daily)-A special service center was launched in Beijing on Tuesday offering permanent residence services to foreigners in the Zhongguancun high-tech hub as authorities seek to attract more overseas talent and investment. The center will offer visa, residential permit and permanent residence services to foreigners who start businesses […]

4 Mar, 2016

UN panel to probe hidden history of African and Indigenous descendants of colonialism and enslavement in U.S.

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New York, USA, 01 March 2016, (PRWEB) – With African and Indigenous descendants of Colonialism and Enslavement in the United States as a primary case study, United Nations NGO, the United States Sustainable Development Corporation has announced March 23 to convene experts and leaders who will sit on an inaugural panel to promote a more […]

4 Mar, 2016

Thai King’s Sufficiency Economy Seen as an International Development Model

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Bangkok, Thailand, 2 March 2016, (Thailand PRD News) -Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha stated that Thailand has adopted His Majesty the King’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy as a guideline for development, with the people at the center, for more than 40 years. The Prime Minister highlighted Thailand’s experience in practicing the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, […]

4 Mar, 2016

Commission Established to Boost Malaysian Aviation Industry

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1 March 2016 (NNN-Bernama) — The government has established the Malaysian Aviation Commission in order to boost up the nation’s aviation industry to a greater height. Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the commission, established under the Malaysian Aviation Commission Act 2015 would be overseen by the Ministry of Transport. “It will […]

4 Mar, 2016

Russian tourists rushing back to China

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BEIJING, 1 March 2016, (China Daily)-After four years of decline, there was a huge increase in the number of Russian tourists visiting China in January, new figures show. In total, 144,200 Russians visited in the first month of 2016－up 46.9 percent on the same period last year, according to a recent report released by China […]

4 Mar, 2016

Union Bank Survey: Small Business Owners Less Optimistic about U.S. Business Climate in 2016

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New York, USA, 25 February 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE) –Union Bank today announced the results of its annual Small Business Economic Survey, which shows small business owners are more pessimistic about the national economy in 2016 than last year, yet remain hopeful about the future of their own businesses. The survey also found 39 percent of female respondents […]

4 Mar, 2016

Ban says Europe’s border restrictions not in line with international law ‘or human decency’

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Madrid, Spain, 1 March 2016, (UN News Centre) – In Spain this evening, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the country’s efforts to address some of “the most urgent issues on the international agenda,” including the plight of asylum seekers fleeing across the Mediterranean, and the devastating war in Syria. At a press conference in […]

1 Mar, 2016

Human Rights Council Report: Increasingly Complex and Widening Conflicts Took Huge Toll on Children in 2015

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New York, USA, 15 February 2016, (UN News) – Increasingly complex and widening conflicts have taken a huge toll on children in much of the Middle East in 2015, with parts of Africa and Asia facing protracted and relapsing wars that show no signs of abating, wrote Leila Zerrougui, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General […]

1 Mar, 2016

Report Finds U.S. Families Struggle Over a Decade to Get Help for Mental Illness

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Washington DC, USA, 23 February 2016,  (PRWEB)-At least 8.4 million Americans are providing care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue, and nearly three quarters report that caregiving causes high emotional stress, finds a new study from the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with Mental Health America and the National Alliance […]

1 Mar, 2016

Translator of Quran receives Germany’s Rumi award

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Tehran, Iran, 14 February 2015, (IRNA News) – A Quranic researcher and translator of the Quran from Afghanistan received the Rumi Award for 2015 Book of the Year in Islamic Studies in German language. According to the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, the Foundation for Islamic Studies in Germany granted the award to Ahmad Milad […]

1 Mar, 2016

Muslim groups in the West set up co-ordinating body to defend interests, combat Islamophobia

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Washington DC, USA, 4 February 2016, (ICNA News) – The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), a coalition of leading national and local American Muslim groups, today joined with leaders from Muslim organizations in the West to issue the “Washington Declaration” announcing the formation of a coordinating body to deal with issues of common concern. […]

1 Mar, 2016

South Africa Opens Solar-Powered Airport

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Pretoria, South Africa, 27 February 2016, (NNN-SAnews) — Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa has congratulated the Department of Transport on the official opening of South Africa’s – and Africa’s – first solar-powered airport in George. Transport Minister Dipuo Peters launched the project that is spearheaded by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) at a […]

1 Mar, 2016

Europe’s restrictive measures place added hardships on refugees and asylum-seekers – UN

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United Nations, 23 February 2016, (UN News Centre) – The United Nations refugee agency said today it is concerned by recent restrictive practices adopted in a number of European countries that are placing additional undue hardships on refugees and asylum-seekers across Europe, creating chaos at several border points, and putting particular pressure on Greece as […]

1 Mar, 2016

Counter-terrorism measures threaten remittances sent to Somali diaspora – UN rights experts

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United Nations, 18 January 2016, (UN News Centre)-Expressing concern over the impact on vital remittances from diaspora countries into Somalia caused by “necessary but less considered counter-terrorism regulations,” United Nations rights experts today warned the measures may “severely affect the human rights” of Somali people, while urging regulation-setting governments to guarantee the flow of such […]

1 Mar, 2016

2016 Risk Outlook: Terrorism, Instability, Cybercrime and the Weaponization of Refugees

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Washington DC, USA, 23 February 2016, (PRWEB) -The latest Clements Worldwide Risk Index revealed that concerns over risks from terrorism have doubled over the past 6 months and 16% of organizations had losses due to political unrest over the last year. These results, and what they mean for global organizations in 2016, were the subject […]

1 Mar, 2016

FREE Download: Human Rights Centre urges political parties to halt erosion of Australia’s democracy

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Canberra, 23 February 2016, (HRLC News)-Australia’s political parties must stop eroding many of the vital foundations of Australia’s democracy, the Human Rights Law Centre said in a new report launched in Canberra yesterday. Civil society leaders joined the launch to highlight the critical role that civil society plays in a healthy and robust democracy. “Open […]

1 Mar, 2016

ADB Backs First Climate Bond in Asia in Landmark $225 Million Philippines Deal

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Manila, Philippines, 29 February 2016, (ADB News)-The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has backed the issuance of the first Climate Bond in Asia and the Pacific. ADB will provide credit-enhancement to the Philippine firm AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI), a subsidiary of AboitizPower Corporation (AboitizPower), for the Tiwi-MakBan geothermal energy facilities. The PHP10.7 billion ($225 million equivalent) […]

1 Mar, 2016

ADB to hold workshop on Investigation and Compliance Strategies to Combat Tax Evasion

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Tokyo, Japan, 9 – 11 March 2016, (ADB News) – Senior tax officials responsible for policy and operations for tax investigation and compliance are to attend a workshop, Tax Evasion: Investigation and Compliance Strategies, on 9–11 March 2016 at the Asian Development Bank Institute, Tokyo, Japan. The purpose of the workshop is to share knowledge […]

1 Mar, 2016

Chinese commentary: US-led TPP can’t crush Chinese economy

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Beijing, 05 February 2016, (People’s Daily Online)-The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was signed by ministers from its 12 member nations in New Zealand on 04 February 2016. It will take effect after lawmakers from each of these countries ratify it. It looks like it will only be a matter of time before the process is complete. […]

1 Mar, 2016

Europe stresses strong Privacy Shield in data transfer flow pact with U.S.

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Brussels, 29 February 2016, European Commission Press release – The European Commission today issued the legal texts that will put in place the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and a Communication summarising the actions taken over the last years to restore trust in transatlantic data flows since the 2013 surveillance revelations. In line with President Juncker’s political […]

24 Feb, 2016

Chinese outbound tourists expected to heat up world economy

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Beijing, 22 February 2016, (People’s Daily Online) – Despite headwinds over the global economy, China’s outbound tourism is again showing excellent numbers as Chinese outbound tourists are expected to reach 5.7 to 6 million during this year’s Spring Festival holidays. Chinese outbound tourism revenue might reach 90 billion yuan, as Chinese outbound visitors are spending […]

24 Feb, 2016

UNESCO Green Citizens, Pathfinders for Change Exhibition Opens at UN HQ

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United Nations, 19 February 2016, (UN Press Releases) – An exhibition titled “UNESCO Green Citizens — Pathfinders for Change” has opened in the Visitors’ Lobby of the UN headquarters in New York. The exhibit is organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), SIPA Press and the Klorane Institute.  It is endorsed […]

24 Feb, 2016

Chinese leaders demand solid efforts to drive new-type urbanization

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BEIJING, China, 23 February 2016, (Xinhua) – Chinese leaders have called for more to be done to facilitate “new-type urbanization,” saying fresh achievements must be made in the area in 2016. In an instruction on the issue, President Xi Jinping asked authorities to uphold the concepts of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing in the […]

24 Feb, 2016

“Transformative Infrastructure” to dominate US$2 billion in ADB funding for Sri Lanka

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Colombo, Sri Lanka, 23 February 2016 (ADB News) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao today met with Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, and reaffirmed ADB’s strong commitment to support Sri Lanka’s continued development. Mr. Nakao shared with the government ADB’s plans to scale up […]

24 Feb, 2016

Chinese News Analysis: Israel faces mounting pressure over Palestinian issue

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JERUSALEM, 23 February 2016, (Xinhua) – As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict enters another tense year, Israel is facing mounting pressure over its decades-long policy towards the Palestinians. Most likely, as history repeats itself, the pressure will not lead Israel to make any significant changes in its policy, but will only further isolate the country in the […]

24 Feb, 2016

Southern Thai Province of Narathiwat Ready to Become a Special Economic Zone

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Narathiwat, Thailand, 24 February 2016, (Thailand PRD News)-The southern border province of Narathiwat has officially opened a One Stop Service Center in a move toward becoming a special economic zone, in line with the Government’s policy. Director of the Narathiwat Provincial Industry Office Pokpak Boonchoo said that Narathiwat is on the list of the second […]

24 Feb, 2016

Will translation software sound the death knell for interpreters?

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Beijing, 23 February 2016, (Xinhua) – If, as the Chinese proverb goes, to learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world”,Chinese search engine Baidu has provided the country with a portal to the entire planet at their fingertips. Earlier last month, the Baidu Translate app was given a […]

24 Feb, 2016

Chartered Accountants Survey: Self-Interest, Not Regulation, Needs to Drive Cybersecurity

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 22 February 2016, (Bernama) — A new report from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) claims self-interest rather than regulation is the future of cybersecurity because technology is evolving at such a rate that any legislation would be out of date before it is signed in to law. Constant Forward Motion: The […]

24 Feb, 2016

Bay of Bengal ‘three times more deadly’ than Mediterranean for migrants and refugees

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United Nations 23 February 2016, (UN News Centre) – Refugees and migrants crossing the seas of Southeast Asia died at a rate three times higher than those in the Mediterranean last year, a new United Nations report has found, highlighting the urgency of greater life-saving cooperation among the affected States. The report, Mixed Maritime Movements […]

24 Feb, 2016

Prevention better than cure: UN peacebuilding body cites need to address root causes of conflict for sustainable peace

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New York, USA, 23 February 2016, (UN News Centre) – The head of the United Nations advisory body tasked with making recommendations on post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and development stressed today that building lasting peace requires predictable, sustained and adequate efforts and financing to help stop violence and address the root causes of conflict. Speaking today […]

23 Feb, 2016

China Voice: China’s three economic strategies gain momentum

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BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) — Since taking office in late 2012, China’s leadership has proposed three major strategies to boost growth as the Chinese economy enters a “new normal” with slower growth and the world’s remains unstable. The “Belt and Road” regional trade and infrastructure network, coordinated development of Beijing with neighboring Tianjin and Hebei, […]

23 Feb, 2016

Problems emerge as fisheries becomes the world’s fastest-growing food sector

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AGADIR, Morocco, 22 February, 2015, (FAO media release)– High-level delegations of fisheries ministries from more than 50 countries are gathering in Agadir for a summit with industry players to discuss emerging governance needs in a sector that provides the world with 17 percent of its animal protein and developing countries with more export revenue than […]

22 Feb, 2016

The emperor’s new nationalism – The Hindu

From Hyderabad to Jawaharlal Nehru University, from the death of Rohith Vemula to the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, a clear political agenda by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party can be discerned. At first flush, this is a party whose top leaders — and they include members of the Union Cabinet — are all too willing […]

22 Feb, 2016

Roger Waters: Pink Floyd star on why musicians are terrified to speak out against Israel – The Independent

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American musicians who support boycotting Israel over the issue of Palestinian rights are terrified to speak out for fear their careers will be destroyed, according to Roger Waters. The Pink Floyd star – a prominent supporter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel since its inception 10 years ago – said the […]

20 Feb, 2016

Income Inequality: Crisis Pushes the Poor and the Young Even Further Behind

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LONDON, February 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – A new report from ING, The Unequal Crisis, looks at income inequality in the US and EU over the 20 years running up to the financial crisis, and then tracks what happened during the period between 2007 and 2013. It finds that prior to the crisis, the disposable income […]

20 Feb, 2016

New Israeli-American Nexus set up to boycott companies which boycott Israel

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LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 17, 2016  – Today, the Israeli-American Council (IAC) announced the formation of the Israeli-American Nexus (IANexus), a 501(c)(4) partner organization devoted to advocating to policymakers on behalf of the Israeli-American community. “We have formed the IANexus to make the voices of Israeli-Americans heard on a range of issues at the federal, state, […]

20 Feb, 2016

Spring Festival Holiday domestic consumption robust amid China’s consumer-led growth

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BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Booming tourism, cinema and retail sales during the week-long Spring Festival holiday show that China’s efforts to make its economy more reliant on the consumption power of its vast population is paying off. The increasingly affluent Chinese are not only willing to spend, they spend more wisely and healthily. Aside […]

20 Feb, 2016

FreeBee: How bees can help raise food security of 2 billion smallholders at no cost

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Rome, 19 February 2015, (Food and Agriculture Organization) — What do cucumbers, mustard, almonds and alfalfa have in common? On the surface very little. But there is one thing they share: they all owe their existence to the service of bees. For centuries, this tiny striped helper has labored the world’s fields without winning much recognition […]

20 Feb, 2016

India’s attempt to quash University student dissent brings country’s intolerance into focus

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NEW DELHI, India Feb. 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — The students at India’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi are at war with the government. The confrontation started all of a sudden after Indian police arrested the student unions’ president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition and declaring him “anti-national.” Sedition as per Indian law […]

20 Feb, 2016

Idyllic Italian town to ban tourists after being swamped by millions of visitors – The Independent

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The tourism sector has arguably been one of the biggest casualties of the global financial crash; as hotels and resorts struggle to stay afloat and visiting figures have plummeted. But, whilst many businesses are desperately trying to increase visitors, resort towns in Italy are doing the very opposite and are reportedly banning tourists. Cinque Terre […]

19 Feb, 2016

Myanmar urged to drop charges against Muslim, Hindu interfaith peace activists

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Yangon, February 17, 2016, Fortify Rights media release —Myanmar authorities should immediately and unconditionally release human rights defenders Zaw Zaw Latt, Pwint Phyu Latt, and Zaw Win Bo and drop all charges against them, Fortify Rights said today. The defendants are Mandalay-based Muslim and Hindu interfaith-peace activists. The authorities arrested Zaw Zaw Latt, a 28-year-old […]

19 Feb, 2016

Australia seeks public comment on plan to launch “Entrepreneur visa”

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Canberra, 18 February 2016, (Joint media release by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science) – A consultation process for a new Entrepreneur visa will start today, seeking feedback on the proposed settings for the visa. The Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, said we […]

19 Feb, 2016

The Philippines accelerates plans to develop Halal tourism

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Manila, February 17, 2016, CrescentRating media release – The Philippines is accelerating its plans to position itself as one of the world’s preferred destinations for Muslim tourists. The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) has unveiled a series of initiatives as part of a major drive to create a long-term infrastructure across the country to diversify […]

19 Feb, 2016

Conference to offer insights on reaching Chinese and Russian consumers via online marketing and social media

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Bangkok – February 18, 2016: In partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and in collaboration with Travel Media Applications, PATA Thailand Chapter and Digital Innovation Asia (DIA), the Digi.travel Thailand International Conference as well as the Digital Innovation Asia Awards Party will be hosted at the Four Points Hotel Bangkok on February 24th, […]

19 Feb, 2016

El Niño passed peak, but UN weather agency warns ‘not to lower guard’ as impacts continue

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 18 February 2016 – The 2015-2016 El Niño, one of the strongest on record, has passed its peak, but its humanitarian and economic impacts will continue for many months to come, the United Nations weather agency has announced, adding that lessons learned from this climate phenomenon would help build global […]

17 Feb, 2016

Muslim center in Australia vandalized beyond recognition, Quran copies desecrated

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Tehran, Feb 14, IRNA – Vandals went on a vicious rampage overnight at a Muslim center in Preston, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The damage to the center was extensive and devastating, similar to the result of an explosion, IQNA reported. The walls have been plastered with obscene graffiti. Windows and doors in the center […]

17 Feb, 2016

UN relief official calls on Israel to immediately halt demolitions in occupied West Bank

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Jerusalem, 17 February 2016 (UN News Centre) – A senior United Nations humanitarian official today called for an immediate halt to the destruction of Palestinian-owned property in the occupied West Bank and for respect for international law. “The number of demolitions for just the first six weeks of 2016 is greatly alarming,” said Robert Piper, […]

15 Feb, 2016

Macau gambling downturn his Wynn Resorts revenues

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LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE )–February 11, 2016  – Wynn Resorts, Limited (Nasdaq: WYNN today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $946.9 million, compared to $1,138.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decline was the result of a 27.0% net […]

15 Feb, 2016

Chinese Commentary: Blame game won’t help stabilize global markets

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NEW YORK, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — The global financial markets have suffered sharp declines lately, with stocks plunging across Europe, Japan and the United States last week. Some players once again tried to link the global rout with China. However, such claims are unwarranted and playing the blame game in the face of challenges is […]

15 Feb, 2016

Chinese Spring Festival Holiday rush registers 1.38b trips

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By Ding Xuezhen Beijing (Global Times) February 14, 2016 – China’s Spring holiday rush has so far accomplished 1.38 billion trips, a 3.3 percent growth from last year, according to the country’s Ministry of Transportation on Saturday.The 40-day Spring holiday rush reached its midpoint on Saturday with railroad traffic increasing 9.1 percent compared to the […]

15 Feb, 2016

Violence in South Thailand down 38%, Internal Security Agency claims

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Bangkok, 14 February 2016, Thai Public Relations Department – The situation in the southern border provinces has shown positive trends. A decrease in the number of violent incidents during the past three months has been reported. The report was issued by the Deputy Spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Region 4 Forward, Colonel […]

14 Feb, 2016

One in Four Office Romances Involves a Superior: Valentine’s Day Survey

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CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — What do Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Brad Pitt have in common? All met their significant others at work. They’re also far from alone. According to CareerBuilder’s annual Valentine’s Day survey, 37 percent of workers have dated a coworker, and 33 percent of those office romances have led to […]

14 Feb, 2016

US Budget Proposes To Hit Air Travelers With More Security, Customs, Immigration Taxes

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 10, 2016 – Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today issued the following statement opposing the FY 2017 White House budget proposal, which would drive up the federal tax burden on airlines and their customers by an additional $7.9 billion per year, up from the more […]

10 Feb, 2016

Iranian airlines ready to take on Gulf giants

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Iran News Roundup. Click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. Iranian airlines ready to take on Gulf giants Ottawa lifts Iran sanctions, to restore ties Iranian, British embassies to issue visas soon Sanctions lifted, American tourists head to Iran Foreign investors receive 3-year work permit in Iran 41 types of […]

4 Feb, 2016

Bethlehem to host 4th “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference March 7-10

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By Ranjan Solomon, Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum “Christ at the Checkpoint”, is an international conference which aims to challenge Evangelicals to take responsibility to help resolve the conflicts in Israel/Palestine by engaging with the teaching of Jesus on the Kingdom of God. The conference moves into its fourth edition from March 7-10, 2016 in Bethlehem. […]

4 Feb, 2016

UN Secretary General pens New York Times Op-ed: Don’t shoot the messenger, Israel

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by Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations United Nations, 1 February 2016 (UN News Centre) – In Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, 2016 has begun much as 2015 ended — with unacceptable levels of violence and a polarized public discourse. That polarization showed itself in the halls of the United Nations last week when […]

4 Feb, 2016

UN Secretary General’s speech at Cambridge University: “Worldwide, there is a strong sense that we are in a deep mess”

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address upon receiving Honorary Degree from the University of Cambridge [as prepared for delivery] Cambridge, United Kingdom, 3 February 2016 – Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Distinguished Faculty Members, Dear Students, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for the recognition you have just bestowed on me. I […]

4 Feb, 2016

UN Secretary General’s speech at National Defense College of Oman: “Conflict Prevention in a Changing World”

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Full text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address to the National Defense College of Oman, “The United Nations and Conflict Prevention in a Changing World”, Muscat (Oman), 01 February 2016 (as prepared for delivery) I am honoured to be in Oman for the second time as Secretary-General, and to address the National Defense College. I […]

4 Feb, 2016

ASEAN tourism has reaped the fruits of peace, but South Asia lags: PATA report

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BANGKOK, February 3, 2016 (PATA Media release) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has published a research report that examines the link between peace and tourism. Through international visitor arrival (IVA) data and short historical perspectives the study examines how peace, democracy and ending geopolitical and ethno-cultural conflicts between and within countries can facilitate […]

3 Feb, 2016

Israel Approves Jewish Prayer Site at Al-Aqsa Mosque’s Western Wall

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RAMALLAH, February 1, 2016 (WAFA) – Minister of Waqf and Religious Affairs, Yousef Ide’es Monday afternoon slammed the Israeli cabinet’s approval of a mixed Jewish male-female prayer area at East Jerusalem’s Western Wall as an attempt to change the status quo. The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan to allocate an area for mixed-gender Jewish […]

3 Feb, 2016

Documentary exposes how Hollywood makes the world hate Muslims and Arabs

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Washington DC — The documentary “Valentino’s Ghost: Why We Hate Arabs” (2015) is to be shown at the headquarters of the Jerusalem Fund in Washington DC on February 5. Directed by Michael Singh, produced by Catherine Jordan and narrated by Mike Farrell, Valentino’s Ghost exposes the way America’s foreign policy agenda in the Middle East […]

3 Feb, 2016

Thai Government Outlines Efforts to Fight Drought

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Bangkok, 31 January 2016, (PR Department, Office of the Prime Minister) – The Government has indicated that drought conditions in 2016 would not reach a critical stage. Various measures have been prepared on a continual basis to deal with the situation. At a press conference, “Government and the People Joining Hands to Cope with Drought,” […]

1 Feb, 2016

Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur & Singapore Seen as Top Destinations for Outbound Iranians

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Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, 01 Feb 2016, GTA media release – GTA hosted a trade dinner for about 90 Iranian Travel Agencies on the 19th of January at the Espinas Hotel in Tehran. GTA has been trading in Iran market since the late 90’s, and as a result of active engagement with getting new […]

31 Jan, 2016

Thai Prime Minister warns of water shortage: “Please help restore balance in Nature”

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The weekly National Broadcast by Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on January 22, 2016 was devoted almost entirely to the looming national water shortage. He confined himself to highlighting the impact on agriculture but warned that everyone will have to get involved in water conservation. That includes the nearly 32 million visitors projected to […]

31 Jan, 2016

Israel Demolishes Palestinian Home, Foundations of Another in Jerusalem

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JERUSALEM, January 27, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Wednesday demolished a home and the foundations of another in Jerusalem, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said an Israeli police contingent, accompanied by bulldozers, broke into Shuafaat, a neighborhood of Jerusalem, and demolished the house of Kefaya Resheq, a local Palestinian, under the pretext of construction […]

31 Jan, 2016

UN experts urge US to address its own ‘crisis of racial injustice’

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 29 January 2016 – The legacy of slavery, post-Reconstruction ‘Jim Crow’ laws and racial subordination in the United States remains a “serious challenge” as there has been no real commitment to recognition and reparations for people of African descent, a United Nations expert panel said today in Washington D.C., at […]

31 Jan, 2016

How Investments, Technology are Accelerating China’s Travel Boom

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BEIJING, Jan 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — High-speed trains with comfort, Starbucks coffee on board, free WIFI in stations, and phone apps for ticket purchase. As the annual Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) travel rush kicked off throughout the country on Sunday, hundreds of millions of Chinese found that their journeys for holiday homecomings have become […]

30 Jan, 2016

Growing Number of Working Americans Turn to Unions to Brave the New Economy

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — From writers at online news site Gawker in Manhattan, to Uber drivers in Seattle, to Volkswagen workers in Tennessee, workers across the country stood up for their right to have a voice at work, explains the American Federation of Government Employees. According to a new report from the AFL-CIO, Fighting […]

30 Jan, 2016

U.S. Paralyzed Veterans Launch Website Documenting Air Travel Experiences of People with Disabilities

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 28, 2016 — In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) has launched a new website where individuals with disabilities can share their air travel experiences, both positive and negative. The new website can be found at www.airaccess30.org and is endorsed by Paralyzed […]

28 Jan, 2016

China warns Jewish speculator: Think twice before declaring war on the yuan

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Beijing,  (People’s Daily Online), January 27, 2016 – The billionaire investor George Soros has grasped the headlight of the Davos World Economic Forum for the last two years. Last year, he announced that he had “finally” retired from managing money to devote himself to political philanthropy. This year, at the same stage, he declared “war” […]

28 Jan, 2016

Thailand hotels best Asia-Pacific performers in 2015: STR report

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LONDON, 28 January 2016, STR Global media release —Hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported mostly flat year-end 2015 results in the three key performance metrics when reported in U.S. dollar constant currency, according to data from STR Global. Compared with 2014, the Asia Pacific region reported a 0.1% increase in occupancy to 68.2%. Average […]

28 Jan, 2016

U.S. News & World Report Releases the Best High-Pay, Low-Stress Jobs for 2016

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As the U.S. job market improves, U.S. News & World Report today released the 2016 Best Jobs rankings to help job seekers at every level take advantage of new opportunities and make smarter career decisions. Health care related jobs dominate the list of the 100 Best Jobs due to […]

28 Jan, 2016

UN chief blasts 50 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 27 January 2016 – Amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated today that he can understand why Palestinians are losing hope in the face of nearly 50 years of Israeli occupation, a statement that has provoked criticism that he was “giving terror a tailwind.” […]

26 Jan, 2016

Women must be put at the core of global peace-building efforts: UN study

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Bangkok, Thailand (25 January 2016) – Women’s participation and leadership must be at the core of peace and security efforts, a new study from UN Women finds. Revealing groundbreaking new findings, UN Women and the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (DWAFD), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, of the Government of Thailand […]

21 Jan, 2016

Nielsen to Launch “Social Content Ratings” with Measurement Across Twitter and Facebook

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NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Nielsen today announced that it is expanding Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings to include Facebook conversation for the first time. With measurement of program-related conversation across these two social networking services at launch, and plans to integrate Instagram at a later date, Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings will become Nielsen’s “Social […]

21 Jan, 2016

2015 City Brands Index released: Paris, London, NYC take top spots

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 20, 2016 – New York City and Los Angeles have claimed third and fifth place, in the 2015 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands IndexSM report, with NYC and LA improving on their 2013 rankings and DC slipping four places despite improving its score. Paris edged past London, 2013’s best city, for the top […]

20 Jan, 2016

Jewish Voice for Peace: Airbnb is profiting from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine

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Full text of message from  Visit StolenHomes.org, and tell Airbnb to stop listing stolen homes. Dear Friend, Imagine a gorgeous home for your next getaway: a well-stocked kitchen, pool out the patio doors, nice linens, flowers on the bedside table. Sounds great, right?  Here’s the problem: That house: stolen.  That land: stolen.  The roads on […]