11 Oct, 2015

EU Ombudsman urges full transparency of meetings with tobacco lobbyists

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Brussels, Transparency International EU Office media release, 05 Oct 2015 – Transparency International welcomes the European Ombudsman’s recommendations to increase the transparency of the European Commission’s meetings with tobacco lobbyists. In the recommendations published today, which echo concerns about tobacco lobbying that led to the resignation of Maltese Commissioner John Dalli in 2012, Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly calls […]

7 Oct, 2015

Xinjiang to focus on maintaining stability

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Beijing (China Daily), October 02, 2015 – Yu Zhengsheng, China’s top political advisor, said on Thursday that long-term stability and security are the top priorities in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. He stressed that counterterrorism will be the focus of the local government’s work.Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative […]

7 Oct, 2015

India’s Spiritual Market Enters World of Mobile-commerce with Wheresmypandit app

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Mumbai, 7th October, 2015/PRnewswire/- Puja rituals are an integral part of Hindu culture. In order to stand out from numerous startups, currently competing with each other in the spiritual market domain, and to cater to millions of Hindus worldwide, WheresMyPandit has entered the field of mobile-commerce with the launch of its mobile application. Built for […]

7 Oct, 2015

Organic Merchants Campaign Cuts Out Middle-Man to Get Healthy, Affordable Foods Straight to Average Consumer

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Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 06, 2015 – The Organic Merchants team launched their Indiegogo campaign today and is looking to raise a total of $25K to help with the packaging costs for their new line of organic, NON-GMO popcorn. Organic Merchants is a family-owned business that delivers a multitude of different healthy foods at affordable […]

7 Oct, 2015

China National Day Holiday: Rural tourism blooms, villagers benefit

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BEIJING, Oct. 2, (Xinhua) — While most Chinese are relaxing as part of the week-long National Day holiday, Wang Zaolin is dealing with his busiest time of year. The peak travel week brings floods of city-dwellers to his hotel to seek pastoral pleasures. The rustic hotel in Hongcun, an ancient village in east China’s Anhui […]

7 Oct, 2015

Palestinians Getting Poorer for Third Year in a Row – World Bank

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JERUSALEM, September 29, 2015 –  Reduced donor aid, war, suspension of revenue payments and ongoing restrictions by the Government of Israel have had a severe impact on the Palestinian economy. The World Bank economic report to the Ad Hoc Liaison committee (AHLC), a forum of donors to the Palestinian Authority, examines current economic trends and recommends […]

6 Oct, 2015

U.S. investors awaiting authorization to enter Iran market

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Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA – While US companies, similar to their European and Asian rivals, are eager to invest in Iran’s market, the United States laws prohibit such an access. Masoud Daneshmand, in an opinion piece published by the English-language paper Iran Daily looks into the issue and tells the reader how business ties could […]

6 Oct, 2015

Israeli Soldiers Kill 13-Year-Old near Bethlehem, Sixth in Two Weeks

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BETHLEHEM, October 5, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers Monday shot dead a Palestinian child during confrontations with youths in the Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem, less than 24 hours after another Palestinian youth was killed by the Israeli army in Tulkarm, according to security sources. Medical sources said 13-year-old Abdul-Rahman Shadi Mustafa was seriously […]

6 Oct, 2015

Jewish Fanatic Settlers’ Violence Intensifies across West Bank

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WEST BANK, October 5, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli Jewish settlers last night and on Monday morning intensified attacks against Palestinians across the West Bank, according to local and media sources. These violent attacks continue for the third day of an unabated aggression against vulnerable Palestinian communities, especially villages that are adjacent to illegal settlements. In […]

6 Oct, 2015

OAG’s Megahubs Index Reveals the World’s Most-Connected Airports

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CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 05, 2015  – According to new analysis from OAG, the global leader in air travel intelligence and analytical services, Megahubs are transforming the way that we connect and travel around the planet. Selected major hub airports are now rapidly growing into Megahubs as expanded international connectivity, airline consolidation, larger aircraft types and the […]

6 Oct, 2015

U.S. Machinist & Aerospace Union Blasts TPP

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 05, 2015  – The following is a statement from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) International President Tom Buffenbarger regarding terms of the secretly negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership: “As a labor union whose members build products that are exported all over the world, the IAM has always taken a strong interest in […]

6 Oct, 2015

76% of U.S. Adults Concerned about Security of Health Care Data, Reveals University of Phoenix Survey

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PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In observance of National Health Information Technology (NHIT) Week and to mark the important role health information technology plays in improving U.S. health care delivery, University of Phoenix® College of Health Professions School of Health Services Administration today announced survey findings outlining the comfort level of U.S. adults when sharing their health data. The […]

6 Oct, 2015

Pacific Trade Agreement a Recipe for Corporate Greed – ITUC

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Brussels, 6 October 2015 (ITUC OnLine): The International Trades Union Congress (ITUC) has described the 12-country “Trans-Pacific Partnership” (TPP) trade deal announced on 5 October as a recipe for corporate greed. While the final text of the agreement is still not publicly available, leaked texts have given rise to major concerns amongst trade unions and […]

5 Oct, 2015

Mosques in U.S. Urged to Take Added Safety Measures Prior to Extremist Anti-Islam Rallies Oct 10

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WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/4/15 – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged Muslim community leaders to consider instituting additional safety measures in response to hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide on October 10. [NOTE: October 9 has also been mentioned online as […]

5 Oct, 2015

FREE Download: 2nd Edition of UNWTO-PATA Tourism Update Report

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Bangkok/Madrid — The second edition of the UNWTO-PATA Tourism Updates has been released and is available for free download by clicking on the image. The highlight article of this edition is an article headlined: Fifteen global challenges that will determine the “State of the Future”.     The UNWTO/PATA Tourism Update, a bi-monthly series, is […]

4 Oct, 2015

Israel Annexes Hebron Church Compound to Settlement Bloc

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HEBRON, October 1, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities decided to annex a church compound, which settlers claim they have previously purchased, to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank. Israeli ‘Defense’ Minister Moshe Yaalon has reportedly decided to annex the 38-dunum compound, known as Beit al-Baraka, which is located to the north […]

4 Oct, 2015

Mainlanders bypass Hong Kong for Golden Week

By WANG YUKE in Hong Kong and SU ZHOU in Beijing

Chinadaily.com – 2015-09-29 – Hong Kong is losing its luster for the increasingly affluent, sophisticated mainland tourists in the coming National Day holiday. “The passion of mainland travelers (for Hong Kong) has dampened dramatically this year,” said Sarah Leung, director of the Hong Kong Tourism Industry Employees General Union. She said the number of tour […]

4 Oct, 2015

Palestinian President: The First-Ever Raising of Palestine’s Flag at the U.N. Is “Our Moment of Hope”

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NEW YORK, September 29, 2015 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday affirmed that the Palestinian flag will be raised for the first time at the United Nations headquarters in New York and at other U.N. offices around the world on September 30. He wrote an op-ed, which was published on the Huffington Post, in which […]

4 Oct, 2015

New ZabCab Taxi App: No Peark-hour Surge Pricing and Only Licensed Drivers

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MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 28, 2015  – Taxi passengers in South Florida now have an easier and better way to taxi, thanks to Flatiron Apps, LLC, which today  launched three ZabCabTM taxi apps at press conferences in Miami and Fort Lauderdale: ZabCab for Passengers; ZabCab for Drivers; and ZabCab Front Desk for the hospitality industry and entertainment […]

4 Oct, 2015

Ten facts about China’s incredible high-speed rail system

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Beijing, People’s Daily Online, September 29, 2015 – I. China boasts the world’s longest mileage of high-speed rail (HSR) line, followed by Japan and Spain. By the end of 2014, the mileage had reached 16,000 km, accounting for 60 percent of the world’s total. II. The highest ridership in the world: In 2014, the HSR […]

4 Oct, 2015

Africa to be main beneficiary of China’s $1b Peace & Development Fund

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United Nations, (China Daily) September 29, 2015 – China will establish a $1 billion “China-UN Peace and Development Fund” to support the United Nations’ multilateral cooperation and boost world peace, President Xi Jinping said on Monday. Xi’s announcement came in his first speech at the UN headquarters in New York City, at the annual debate […]

4 Oct, 2015

ADB, India Sign $123.5 Million Loan to Upgrade Tourism Infrastructure in 3 States

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NEW DELHI, INDIA (ADB media release) 29 Sept 2015 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $123.51 million loan for tranche 3 of the Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism, to continue upgrading tourism infrastructure and services in three states. The loan will be used for development and […]

26 Sep, 2015

Civil Society Statement: The Bitter Irony of “1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities”

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The following statement was issued by the Tourism Advocacy and Action Forum (TAAF), a group of individual tourism activists and representatives of civil society groups from six continents, which support human rights, social justice and sustainability concerns in tourism. The group is working to build an international network and forum to promote “courageous dialogue on […]

26 Sep, 2015

Registrations open for Second ACTE-Lufthansa DCC Webinar on Oct 6

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25 September — The second in a series of webinars hosted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and Lufthansa Group will convene on October 6, 2015, at 10:00am ET/ 4:00pm CET. Jens Bischof, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa German Airlines will discuss the current state of the Distribution Cost Charge and its future moving forward […]

25 Sep, 2015

Global drone market expected to reach $1.2 billion by 2020

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Wellesley, Mass., September 24, 2015 (PRWEB) – Increasing usage of unmanned vehicles and new technologies in the commercial and defense sectors is primarily driving market growth. BCC Research reveals in its new report that drone types are penetrating regions around the globe in a host of different applications. The global drone market is expected to […]

25 Sep, 2015

Virgin Australia rewards flight attendants with big pay increases

Virgin Australia’s short-haul cabin crew will receive generous annual pay rises ranging from 4 per cent to nearly 10 per cent over a four-year period, after voting in favour of an enterprise bargaining agreement the Transport Workers’ Union says will make the airline better and more sustainable. The airline, which reported a $49 million pre-tax underlying loss in the last […]

25 Sep, 2015

Australia unveils A$100 million package to curb domestic violence, help victims

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Canberra, 24 Sept 2015 — The Australian government has unveiled a A$100 million package to help curb domestic violence and help the hundreds of women and children who fall victim to it every year. The package will improve frontline support and services, leverage innovative technologies to keep women safe, and provide education resources to help […]

25 Sep, 2015

Monash University Research: Australian Sports Help Drown Kids In Alcohol Ads

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(Source: IOGT International) A new study has revealed that Australian Football League (AFL), National Rugby League (NRL) and Cricket are promoting alcohol to children. Research from Monash University shows that Australian children and adolescents receive millions of exposures to alcohol advertising when watching AFL, NRL, and Cricket on TV. Almost half of the total amount […]

24 Sep, 2015

Jewish Extremist Settlers, Protected by Police, Again Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Courtyard

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JERUSALEM, September 23, 2015 (WAFA) – As Israeli police continued to severely restrict Palestinians’ access into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, groups of extremist Jewish settlers wearing priestly garments Wednesday morning forced their way into the flashpoint holy site. Protected by heavily-guarded police officers, dozens of extremist settlers wearing priestly garments forced their way into the […]

24 Sep, 2015

Meeting the SDGs: OECD invites young people to Poster Competition to combat poverty, growing inequality

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Paris, 23 Sept 2015 – The Organisation of Economic Cooperation Development is calling on young people all over the world to let their creative juices flow to build a more economically just, fair and balanced world. A Poster Competition has been created inviting young people aged 15-25 “to express your unique views and ideas on […]

24 Sep, 2015

Travellers Predict the Future of Travel by 2030

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WILMINGTON, Del.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new survey unveiled today by Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase asked Americans to imagine the near future and predict what the travel experience could look like. Their top predictions reveal some surprises. From unique travel experiences to putting the real in virtual reality, American travelers are mapping out a different journey […]

24 Sep, 2015

Indonesia revokes permits of companies involved in forest fires

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Jakarta (ANTARA News) 23 September 2015 – The Environment and Forestry Ministry has revoked the permits of three plantation companies proven guilty of setting fires to land and forest areas. The three errant companies are PT Tempirai Palm Resources and PT Waringin Agro Jaya in South Sumatra province and PT Langgam Inti Hibrindo in Riau, […]

23 Sep, 2015

FREE Download: UNWTO/PATA report “Global Trends Shaping Tourism in Asia-Pacific”

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Bangkok/Madrid — The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have joined forces to publish a series of bi-monthly reports highlighting the linkage between the global travel industry and the UN’s new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sustainable Development Goals are to be the focus of a special three-day special […]

23 Sep, 2015

Indian widow fights Modi in “final” court battle over deadly Gujarat riots

AHMEDABAD: Zakia Jafri, a frail 76-year-old, has begun what may be the last legal battle to pin blame on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for deadly riots that shook the state of Gujarat when he was chief minister, and claimed her husband’s life. Modi denies any involvement in the 2002 unrest, one of the worst […]

23 Sep, 2015

Israeli Authorities to Completely Close Off West Bank, Gaza for Jewish Holiday

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TEL AVIV, September 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities announced that it would completely close off the West Bank and Gaza for the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, which coincides with the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha. Israeli ‘Defense’ Minister Moshe Yaalon was reported as saying that that Israeli military would close off the occupied […]

22 Sep, 2015

Israel Approves Renaming Jerusalem Streets from Arabic to Hebrew

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JERUSALEM, September 21, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem approved last Sunday night a decision to replace the original names of several streets and districts in and outside Jerusalem’s Old City with ‘Hebrew’ names that carry Talmudic connotations, according to WAFA correspondent. Among the streets slated for change is the name of […]

22 Sep, 2015

Israel Crushes Palestinian Rallies across West Bank

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WEST BANK, September 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinians, including school students, were injured as Israeli forces suppressed a number of protests that set out across the West Bank in condemnation of Israel’s recent escalations at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, according to local and medical sources. Palestinians, including students, took the streets on […]

22 Sep, 2015

Google employees can donate vacation time to each other

Business Insider, Sep 16, 2015 – Although Google has some pretty cushy perks, it’s vacation policy is more-or-less standard among big tech companies. First through third-year employees get 15 days off, fourth year employees get 20 days off, and people who’ve worked there for six years or longer get 25 days. But there is one […]

22 Sep, 2015

Japan increasingly gray as people 80 or older top 10 million

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Tokyo, Kyodo, Sep 20, 2015 — Japanese society is becoming increasingly gray, with the latest estimate of people 80 or older topping 10 million for the first time, government data showed Sunday. The estimate for people 65 or older hit a record 33.84 million as of last Tuesday, accounting for 26.7 percent of the population, […]

22 Sep, 2015

On World Peace Day, a new song shows friendship transcends Pakistan-India ire

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(Source: Images publication) This International Peace Day, (marked worldwide on Sept 21) singer Ali Aftab Saeed and Indian filmmaker Aarti Shrivastava have worked together to bring to us a new anthem of Pak-India friendship, titled ‘Na Rokay Koi’. Through this musical medium, Ali and Aarti have told a simple story of two college friends who […]

21 Sep, 2015

PSC Thailand protests to British Embassy about Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to UK

Bangkok – On Tuesday 15 September 2015, a delegation from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Thailand, including Chairperson Nick Ferriman, Secretary Ian Hollingworth, and BDS Co-ordinator Ghislain Poissonnier, delivered a letter of protest to Second Secretary Daniel Fieller at the British Embassy in Bangkok. The letter, addressed to the UK Foreign Minister Phillip Hammond, denounced […]

20 Sep, 2015

“Nasty breeze” of intolerance sweeping across India – Hindustan Times

There’s a nasty breeze blowing across the country these days. Wherever you look, exclusion is the mantra; intolerance is the watchword; and banning, bullying and browbeating, the operating principles. One day it’s a minister quoted as saying that a former president was a good nationalist despite being a Muslim; on the other, there is an […]

20 Sep, 2015

New Asian Infrastructure Bank President vows to engage private sector in Asia’s investment

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) — Jin Liqun, president-designate of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), said here on Saturday that the AIIB is a very good combination of strong features of public sector companies and private sector companies, and it would do more to engage private sector in infrastructure investment. Jin made the remarks at […]

19 Sep, 2015

Taxis hit back: Philadelphians Get Ready to Hail Cabs with Way2ride

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PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 17, 2015 — Taxi passengers in Philadelphia will be able to electronically hail cabs beginning in October, using the Way2ride app from Verifone (NYSE: PAY) on their mobile devices. Through this expansion, Philadelphia joins New York City, where passengers are already using Way2ride’s payment and new e-hailing feature to hail cabs and securely […]

19 Sep, 2015

Asian-American Business Summit to Gather Unprecedented Group of Industry Leaders

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 17, 2015 — Asian American Business Roundtable (AABR) announced today that it was launched to promote the growing prominence of Asian American executives throughout the U.S. and capitalize on Asia’s continuing emergence as an engine of global economic growth. As part of the launch, AABR will bring together the most accomplished, forward-thinking […]

19 Sep, 2015

Stetson student wins first place for her essay on domestic violence in America

GULFPORT, Fla. (PRWEB) September 17, 2015 – Stetson University College of Law student Samantha R. Sobel won first place in the Yanez & Associates Law Scholarship Essay Contest and Scholarship Program for her paper, “Should parents convicted of domestic violence have their parental rights terminated?” Samantha R. Sobel The essay focused on domestic violence in […]

19 Sep, 2015

Arab-American Group Denounces Donald Trump for Promoting Islamophobia

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Washington, DC | www.adc.org | September 18, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) denounces GOP candidate Donald Trump for promoting Islamophobia by validating anti-Muslim comments at a town hall event on Thursday evening in Rochester, New Hampshire. These bigoted comments incite violence and hate crimes against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim, including […]

19 Sep, 2015

Israel Demolishes Homes of 228 Palestinans in August 2015, Says Rights Center

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JERUSALEM, September 9, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli information center for human rights, B’Tselem, said during August alone, the Israeli Civil Administration and military went on a demolition rampage in 29 villages and communities throughout Area C, under full Israeli military control. In its September report, B’Tselem said the Israeli authorities demolished 101 structures in […]

19 Sep, 2015

About 600,000 Illegal Jewish Settlers Live in West Bank, Half of Them in Jerusalem

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RAMALLAH, September 17, 2015 (WAFA) – About 600,000 settlers live in the West Bank and half of them are in Jerusalem district, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in a press release on Thursday. PCBS presented data detailing the distribution of settlements across West Bank districts, and the total number of settlers in […]

19 Sep, 2015

ITU seeks to help 2 billion of world’s poorest people get better access to financial services

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Geneva, 16 September 2015 (ITU media release) – Almost a year after its launch, the ITU Focus Group on Digital Financial Services (DFS) for Financial Inclusion is preparing to host its global meeting to discuss how the international telecommunications and financial services communities can work together to tackle one of the world’s most challenging social […]

19 Sep, 2015

Best-performing cities in China 2015

By Jin Chen

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), September 16, 2015 – Chengdu has the most successful economy in cities on the Chinese mainland, a US-based think tank has concluded after its assessment of such factors as job growth, foreign investment and high-value-added industries. Shanghai and Tianjin rank the second and third respectively, while Beijing only ranks 13th in […]

19 Sep, 2015

China’s overwater highway marvel becomes a huge tourist attraction

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(People’s Daily Online)  September 15, 2015 — A large number of tourists and photographers drove to see “the most beautiful overwater highway” located in Xingshan county in central China’s Hubei province on Monday. The highway has become a new tourist attraction. The overwater highway – Guzhao Highway Link linking Gufu Town and Zhaojun Bridge in […]

19 Sep, 2015

Thailand’s ‘Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy’ highlighted at AIT

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Bangkok – The Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, formulated by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was highlighted at a mobile exhibition held at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Pathumthani province, from 26 August to 2 September 2015. Organized by Thailand’s Public Relations Department (PRD), in cooperation with AIT and the Royal Development Projects Board, the exhibition […]

19 Sep, 2015

WCC Message for World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2015

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BY Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches general secretary “He . . . has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” – Ephesians 2.14 Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I write to you on the occasion of the upcoming World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel […]

18 Sep, 2015

Israel Approves Use of Snipers To Shoot Protesting Palestinians in Jerusalem

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JERUSALEM, September 17, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has approved the use of sniper fire against Palestinian “stone-throwers” who protest against Israel’s growing dominance over al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, Israeli media reported on Thursday. This came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared what he described as a “war” […]

18 Sep, 2015

Lombardy to block subsidy to hotels that take in refugees

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18 Sep 2015 – Lombardy, (IINA) – Italian hotels which take in migrants will not be able to draw up to $28 million out of public subsidies over the next three years, the local administration has decided to apply this clause on Wednesday to all hotels in the northern region of Lombardy, DPA reported. The […]

18 Sep, 2015

Ahead of Int’l Day of Peace, UN appeals for all guns to fall silent on 21 Sept

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 18 September 2015 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for the laying down of arms and a 24-hour cease-fire on 21 September, which is observed around the world each year as the International Day of Peace. The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace in 1981 as […]

18 Sep, 2015

Why Our Deadly Love Affair with Bottled Water Has to Stop | Alternet

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This spring, as California withered in its fourth year of drought and mandatory water restrictions were enacted for the first time in the state’s history, a news story broke revealing that Nestlé Waters North America was tapping springs in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California using a permit that expired 27 years ago. […]

18 Sep, 2015

World Dream Day Ignites “Chain Reaction” For Global Good

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New York, NY (PRWEB) September 17, 2015 — On Friday, September 25, 2015, as leaders from around the world, including Pope Francis, are at the United Nations for the General Assembly and Post 2015 Sustainable Development Summit, people across the globe will unite in celebration of the 4th annual World Dream Day. World Dream Day […]

17 Sep, 2015

The White House: We Stand With Ahmed

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Full text of statement issued by the U.S. White House on Sept 15, 2015 Yesterday, a 14-year-old student named Ahmed Mohamed was arrested for bringing his engineering project (an electronic clock) to his high school. Officials mistook it for a bomb. When I was growing up, my friends and I were fortunate to know how […]

16 Sep, 2015

Taxi unions call for innovation and a level playing field

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Brussels, 15 September 2015 (IRU media release) – The European Social Partners in road transport, IRU and ETF (European Transport Workers’ Federation), have renewed their call for a level playing field in the taxi and hire-car with driver sector. Fair competition is essential for supporting innovation and ensuring high service quality to customers, good working […]

16 Sep, 2015

Bulgarian musician Theodosii Spassov named UNESCO Artist for Peace

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 15 September 2015 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today that Bulgarian musician Theodosii Spassov is being designated as an Artist for Peace in recognition of his talent and innovation, as well as his commitment to highlight music as a force to enhance dialogue among […]

15 Sep, 2015

All-You-Can-Fly Service Launched between New York and Boston

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 15, 2015 – Beacon, the all-you-can-fly membership for frequent fliers in the Northeast U.S., today launches its service between New York and Boston. Beacon is the first subscription service bringing the convenience, comfort and innovation of all-you-can-fly private air travel to the East Coast. “We are thrilled to be launching our service […]

15 Sep, 2015

THAI Royal Orchid Holidays Organizes Buddhist Meditation Tour to Sri Lanka

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI)’s Royal Orchid Holidays will organize a Buddhist tour during 21-25 October 2015 from Bangkok to Colombo, Sri Lanka for customers interested in prayer, meditation, and sermons by Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi (V. Vajiramedhi). Mrs. Busaba Sangawibha, THAI Vice President, Marketing Development and Customer Services Department, said THAI’s Royal […]

11 Sep, 2015

The Unbearable Ease of Destroying Palestinian Homes – Ha’aretz

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On the last day of August Israel Defense Forces carried out 15 raids on various communities in the West Bank. This was reported by the PLO’s negotiation affairs department on the basis of reports by the Palestinian security forces. Such raids are routine and on that day too they ended with arrests, clashes with residents […]

11 Sep, 2015

Amex Global Business Travel Releases First Corporate Social Responsibility Report

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 10, 2015  — American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) today announced the release of its inaugural corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, GBT’s Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility 2014. The report outlines the company’s commitment to responsible, sustainable and ethical processes and practices in five key areas of focus: governance and ethics, employees, […]

11 Sep, 2015

Travel + Leisure Unveils New E-Commerce Initiative

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NEW YORK & LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 09, 2015  – Time Inc.’s Travel + Leisure today announced an e-commerce partnership with Black Tomato, a leading purveyor of luxury, tailor-made experiential travel. The collaboration centers on a new franchise, Travel + Leisure Journeys, which is a set of 20 editorially crafted vacations introduced in September across print and […]

11 Sep, 2015

Corporate Survey Identifies U.S. States with the Best and Worst “Lawsuit Climates”

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 10, 2015 — 75 percent of attorneys at U.S. companies say a state’s lawsuit environment is likely to impact important business decisions at their company, including where to locate or expand according to a new survey released today by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). That is an 18 percent increase […]

11 Sep, 2015

GMS Ministers Agree to More Seamless Cross-border Transport, Trade and Tourism

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NAY PI TAW, MYANMAR, 10 Sept 2015, ADB media release – Ministers attending the 20th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Ministerial Conference called for the mobilization of additional funding to fully implement a $30 billion pipeline of investment and technical assistance projects that will drive growth and infrastructure development in the subregion. “The GMS Economic Cooperation […]

11 Sep, 2015

Construction starts of second Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge

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Mae Sot, Thai News Agency, 2 September 2015, – Thailand and Myanmar are starting the construction of the second Thai – Myanmar Friendship Bridge, linking Mae Sot in Thailand’s Tak province with the town of Myawaddy in Myanmar. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Deputy President of the Republic of the Union of the Myanmar […]

11 Sep, 2015

Thailand Promotes Herbal Medicine and Health Behavior Change Program

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Bangkok, 11 September 2015, The Department of Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine has been told to accelerate the development of Thai herbal medicine to international standards. Public Health Minister Clinical Professor Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatyadorn said that the Ministry of Public Health is ready to promote the growing of herbal plants as cash crops to generate […]

8 Sep, 2015

U.S. Author Calls for More “Thinkers, Makers and Risk Takers” to Confront Looming Talent Shortage

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INDIANAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– September 08, 2015 — An overwhelming majority of Americans say the federal government should make it a high priority to increase the talent of our nation’s workforce, according to a new Gallup-Lumina Foundation Pulse Poll. The results come as a new book, America Needs Talent, spotlights the gaps in our nation’s talent pool […]

8 Sep, 2015

250 companies to attend ASEAN logistics and transport show Oct 1-3 in KL

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug 26 (NNN-Bernama) — The integration of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) has spurred some 250 companies from over 10 countries to participate in the Asean Logistics & Transport Show 2015 (ALTS 2015), said Jonathan Kan, Chief Executive Officer of Fairs & Events Management Sdn Bhd (FEMSB). In a statement Wednesday, Kan […]

8 Sep, 2015

China sets US$9.4 bln fund to boost SMEs

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Beijing, (China Daily), September 02, 2015 – China plans to set up a national fund of up to 60 billion yuan ($9.4 billion) to encourage the growth of small and micro-businesses. The fund is in addition to measures lowering the initial capital requirement for fixed-asset investment projects, a State Council executive meeting decided on Tuesday. […]

8 Sep, 2015

Sukhoi ready to deliver 100 passenger planes to Iran

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Moscow, Aug 28, IRNA – The Russian aircraft company Sukhoi says it is ready to deliver 100 modern Superjet-100 passenger planes to Iran.  The Russian company had put the Superjet-100 on display in MAKS 2015 air show. Media reports say Iran is discussing the purchase of the passenger planes with Russi, noting that the two […]

8 Sep, 2015

Hilton Unveils Parental Leave Policies Claimed to be “Best in Industry”

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MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 04, 2015– Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) today announced parental leave policies that it claims will be the best offered by any major global hospitality company in the United States and Puerto Rico. The benefits will be available to Team Members at owned and managed hotels and corporate offices with one year of […]

8 Sep, 2015

First Annual Chinese Qipao Festival to be launched in New York

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NEW YORK, Sept. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — ICN TV Network is to launch the first Chinese Qipao Festival, a series of events, each of which celebrates, in unique fashion, the beauty of the qipao and importance of Chinese culture heritage. The three events take place on September 10, 19 and 26. The qipao (or cheongsam), […]

8 Sep, 2015

IACC Survey Shows Strong Generational Differences Amongst Meeting Planners in Asia-Pacific

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8 September 2015 – A recent survey conducted by the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), in partnership with Development Counsellors International (DCI), has revealed the generational preferences of meeting planners in the Australia Asia Pacific region. Mark Cooper, CEO, IACC commented: “This is the first survey of its kind produced by IACC in the […]

8 Sep, 2015

Indonesian President wants forest-burning to end by 2016

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JAKARTA, Indonesia Sept 7 (NNN-Bernama) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo has warned individuals and plantation owners in Sumatra not to carry out land clearing activities by burning the forests from next year, or they could face legal action. Joko, or better known as Jokowi, who visited the land clearing and forest fire sites Banyuasin, West […]

8 Sep, 2015

Ricoh Europe Survey Forecasts More Workplace Collisions as Gen Z Joins Workforce

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 07, 2015 – More than half of workers (52 per cent) say their employers are failing to meet the needs of different generations in the workplace, according to new research commissioned by Ricoh Europe. The stark finding points to a corporate collision course, as for the first time in history a fourth generation […]

5 Sep, 2015

Calls grow for easing Russia-Brunei visa procedure

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Brunei, August 31, 2015, RBTH — A head of a business body looking to promote Russia’s trade with ASEAN countries called for Russia and Brunei to create a simplified bilateral visa regime. Linar Yakupov, President of Regions-Russia Association told the Brunei Times that stringent visa regulations for Russians to enter Brunei were hampering tourism and […]

5 Sep, 2015

Indian, Laotian temples lead 2015 UNESCO Asia‐Pacific Heritage Awards

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BANGKOK, 1 September 2015 — The Conservation of the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala, India has received the Award of Excellence in this year’s UNESCO Asia‐Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Xieng Thong Temple in Luang Prabang won the Award of Merit and became the first project in Lao PDR to receive the UNESCO Asia‐Pacific Heritage Award. A […]

4 Sep, 2015

Iran, Russia sign MoU to advance cultural cooperation

Moscow, Sept 2, IRNA – Iran and Russia on Wednesday signed Memorandum of Understanding on organizing cultural exhibits with an aim to facilitate cultural cooperation. Managing Director of Iran’s Cultural Exhibitions Institute Amir Masoud Shahramnia and Head of Moscow International Book Fair Sergey Kaikin signed the MoU. According to the MoU the two countries undertook […]

4 Sep, 2015

Bangladesh holds first international cricket tournament for disabled people

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DHAKA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) — Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever international cricket tournament for disabled people in capital Dhaka. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP), organized the five-nation international cricket […]

4 Sep, 2015

Xinhua Insight: Challenges, opportunities seen in China’s aging population

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BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) — When looking for a balance between independence and health care in later life, China’s older generation must navigate an under-developed, overwhelmed sector. Many Chinese believe it is the responsibility of children to care for their aging parents, and often grandparents, too. In some cases, those that put their elderly relatives […]

2 Sep, 2015

High Ratings For Travel Media Communications Course In Macau

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Macau — A unique media communications course presented to the Macau tourism industry by Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil has won exceptionally high ratings. Hosted by the Macau Government Tourist Office, the August 24 course was attended by 24 media and marketing communications professionals from the MGTO and Macau hotels. MGTO Director Maria […]

2 Sep, 2015

Over 5 mln foreign tourists visited Iran in 6 months

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Tehran, Sept 1, IRNA – Vice president and head of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) said on Tuesday that some 5,100,000 foreign tourists visited Iran during last (Iranian) year (ended on March 20, 2014). Speaking on the occasion of the Government Week, Masoud Soltanifar said that the increase in foreign tourists’ entry is […]

2 Sep, 2015

82 Groups Ask U.S. Justice Dept to Address Illegality of ‘Muslim-Free Zone’ Businesses

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(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/1/2015) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced today that a coalition of 82 civil liberties, human rights, immigrant rights, faith, and cultural organizations (see list of signatories below) sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking her to investigate the growing […]

1 Sep, 2015

Air Astana launches tool to help passengers “bid” for upgrades

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Almaty, 1st September 2015 – Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, has launched MyUpgrade; an innovative online tool that enables existing economy class customers to bid for an upgrade to Business Class before their flight. The tool gives passengers the chance to name their own price, within a minimum and maximum range, to be […]

1 Sep, 2015

Lufthansa blowing hot and cold over Distribution Cost Charge?

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Two separate announcements on Aug 31 have led to some head-scratching over the status of Lufthansa’s Distribution Cost Charge. An announcement by the Travel Agents Association of India, published in the BreakingNews website quotes Mr Marzban Antia, Hon. Treasurer & Co-Chairman (Airline Council) as saying that a letter has been received from Lufthansa boss Will […]

1 Sep, 2015

2014 World Airport Traffic Report Released

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Montréal, 31 August 2015 (ACI media release) – Airports Council International (ACI) has released the latest edition of the World Airport Traffic Report. With comprehensive data coverage for over 2,200 airports in more than 160 countries worldwide, ACI’s flagship publication remains the authoritative source and industry reference for the latest airport traffic data, rankings and […]

1 Sep, 2015

Dubai to host 10th World Health Tourism Congress from Sept 6 – 7

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Dubai, August 29, 2015, Grand Aurum Marketing media release: Under the patronage of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce (DTCM), and for the second consecutive year, Dubai will host the 10th World Health Tourism Congress (WHTC)  from September 6 to 7 with the support of the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) […]

1 Sep, 2015

A Tribute to Muhammad Ali, the Greatest Sportsman of All Time

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Muhammad Ali is one of the most remarkable personalities of our time and the greatest sportsman ever to walk the earth. To honor this living legend, TASCHEN has created a work that is epic in scale and as unique and vibrant as the man himself. A worthy tribute to his life should reflect the scale […]

1 Sep, 2015

Int’l Road Union launches high-level group to grow bus & coach transport on India’s roads by 2030

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New Delhi, IRU Press Release 31 August 2015 – A new high-level group of leading Indian and international transport stakeholders has launched in New Delhi. Initiated by IRU as part of its Smart Move Campaign, the new Group aims to substantially increase the use of collective passenger transport on India’s roads by 2030. Ananda Rao, […]

1 Sep, 2015

It’s Official: Watching More TV as a Young Adult Predicts Obesity

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Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) August 31, 2015 – The more hours young adults spend watching television each day, the greater the likelihood that they’ll have a higher body mass index and bigger waist circumference, a 15-year analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health revealed. The association did not hold in later years, […]

1 Sep, 2015

50% of Workers Say Their Home is Their Preferred Place for Maximum Productivity

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Boulder, CO (PRWEB)August 31, 2015 In a recent FlexJobs survey with more than 2,600 respondents, half (50 percent) of people reported that their home–and not the office–is their location of choice to be most productive on important work-related projects. Another 12 percent said they would choose a coffee shop, co-working space, library or other place […]

1 Sep, 2015

Israeli Army Prevents Rehabilitation of Hebron Archaeological Site

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HEBRON, August 31, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli army and Jewish settlers on Monday hindered ongoing renovation work at an archeological site in the town of Bani Na’im, to the east of Hebron, according to local sources. The sources told WAFA an Israeli army force accompanied by staff from the so-called Israeli Civil Administration, as well […]

1 Sep, 2015

U.S. Electrical Workers Union becomes first to join BDS Movement against Israel

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Baltimore, Source: UE Union website 28 August, 2015– The final session of the UE 74th National Convention on Thursday morning, August 20, discussed and approved several more resolutions, including “Stop the Dismantling of Public Education”, “Build Union Co-ops”, “Justice and Peace for the Peoples of Palestine and Israel,” “For Peace, Jobs, and a Pro-Worker Foreign […]

1 Sep, 2015

Growing Workplace Violence Threats Open New Revenue Stream for U.S. Security Consultants

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2015 – The Consulting, Investigations and International (CI&I) division of security company Andrews International, an affiliate of U.S. Security Associates, held a Workplace Violence Program training in the last month in Atlanta aimed at educating clients and potential clients on best practices for prevention, mitigation, and response tactics to […]

1 Sep, 2015

California Faith Group Organises March Demanding Legislation to Track Racial Profiling

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Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2015 – On September 2, 2015, PICO California and the larger Communities United Coalition, community members, and clergy will march on the State Capitol for the Rally for Justice in support of AB 953 (Weber). The country has been reeling from the angst of videotaped acts of aggression and violence […]