15 May, 2015

Arabs strike back: Etihad-funded study exposes US$71.5 bln in U.S. airline subsidies

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Abu Dhabi, May 15 (Etihad Airways media release) — Research commissioned by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has quantified a range of government and court-sanctioned benefits and concessions received by the three biggest US carriers, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group, and other airlines with which they […]

12 May, 2015

“Tourism is NOT just a holiday”: Indian NGOs blast “flawed” Draft Tourism Master Plan 2015

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New Delhi, May 10, Media Release by the Bengaluru-based NGO Equations – A coalition of 35 Indian non-government organisations has blasted the draft national tourism policy 2015 released by the central government as paving the way for a complete privatisation of the country’s tourism industry, with scant regard being paid to the interests of local […]

10 May, 2015

Antitrust: European Commission launches e-commerce sector inquiry to probe market abuse

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Brussels, 06 May 2015, European Commission – Press release – The European Commission has today launched an antitrust competition inquiry into the e-commerce sector in the European Union. The inquiry, as announced by Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in March, will allow the Commission to identify possible competition concerns affecting European e-commerce markets. It complements actions launched […]

8 May, 2015

Southeast Asian Rice Cultures come to life in Bangkok

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Bangkok – Performers and scholars from all over Southeast Asia will gather in Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, between 11-14 May 2015 for a special event celebrating the rice cultures of the region. The Spiritual Dimensions of Rice Culture in Southeast Asia looks beyond rice as an agricultural product and provides a glimpse into the importance of […]

3 May, 2015

Britain’s richest see their wealth rocket during recession

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LONDON, April 26 (Xinhua) — Just days after it was reported more than a million Britons have had to turn to food banks to feed their families, the long-awaited rich-list for 2015 published Sunday reveals Britain’s wealthy have become even richer. Recession, what recession, screamed London’s Sunday Times (ST) as it reported how the 1,000 […]

3 May, 2015

ADB Report: Toward Better Multimodal Railway Hubs in China

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Asian Development Bank media release — The People’s Republic of China has surpassed the rest of the world in building its high-speed rail network in the last 10 years. The country has built nearly 10,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines since 2007. The development of high-speed rail (HSR) is one of the key priorities in […]

3 May, 2015

EU adopts consular protection rules for European citizens abroad

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BRUSSELS, April 20 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) on Monday adopted a directive on consular protection for European citizens living or travelling outside the EU. The agreement clarifies when and how EU citizens in distress in a country outside the EU have the right to receive assistance from other EU countries’ embassies or consulates. […]

3 May, 2015

News Analysis: Palestinians count on Asian-African conference to internationalize their cause

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RAMALLAH, April 15 (Xinhua) — The Palestinians are facing severe difficulties and they are eager to see their hope of establishing an independent state on the territories Israel occupied in 1967 come true, according to analysts and observers. Analysts say the Palestinian participation in the upcoming Asian-African Conference scheduled to convene in Indonesia on April […]

3 May, 2015

Gwadar Port: Driver for Connectivity between South Asia and East Asia

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Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), April 23, 2015 — During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that links Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Pakistan’s Gwadar Port has drawn attention in both countries. The corridor will “serve as a driver for connectivity between South Asia and […]

3 May, 2015

The Future of Mobility: Toyota Foundation Launches First Pilot Program in Thailand

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TOKYO, Apr, 22 2015 – (JCN Newswire) – More people everywhere are about to get moving. Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) today announced that it is launching its first pilot program. The program, which will be in Bangkok, Thailand, reflects the Foundation’s philosophy of combining Toyota’s knowledge with the expertise of partners to enable more people […]

3 May, 2015

China national plan targets healthy growth of traditional medicine

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(Xinhua) BEIJING, April 28 — A new plan to protect traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resources will ensure quality and bolster long-term growth of the sector nationwide. On Monday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine jointly released a plan for the protection and development of TCM materials […]

3 May, 2015

Uber office raided in Chinese crackdown on unlicensed taxis

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(Xinhua) 2015-05-01 GUANGZHOU – The office of US taxi-hailing app Uber in southern Chinese city of Guangzhou was raided on Thursday, with a number of mobile phones seized, a city official confirmed on Friday. The company is suspected of unlicensed operation and conducting illegal business by allowing private car owners to offer taxi services, an […]

3 May, 2015

Indian Tourism Ministry invites comments on draft new National Tourism Policy

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New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 01-May-2015 – The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is in the process of formulating a National Tourism Policy 2015 for development and promotion of  tourism in the country. A draft Policy, based on inputs / suggestions received from stakeholders, eminent personalities and experts in the field of Tourism, State […]

1 May, 2015

India traditional crafts set to fall into hands of powerloom lobbies

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Bengaluru, (Media release from the NGO Equations) — With the move to repeal The Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, there is yet another attempt at mechanising the traditional crafts forms, that would eventually render lakhs of artisans jobless. The argument of the powerloom lobbies is that the same textile product, like a […]

29 Apr, 2015

China’s rapidly growing high-speed rail network boon for tourists

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Beijing, (China Daily) April 04, 2015 – China’s rapidly growing high-speed rail network is making it easier－and cheaper－for tourists to travel around the country. With the growing popularity and development of high-speed rail in China, traveling around the country has become easier for tourists who want to spend less time on trains and more at […]

29 Apr, 2015

CareerBuilder analysis lists guides, masseuses among high-paying non-desk jobs

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CHICAGO, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Millions of Americans earn their living from behind a desk and computer screen, and while that’s a reality only likely to expand over the coming years, hundreds of non-desk jobs continue to grow and thrive, according to a new analysis of labor market data from CareerBuilder. Ninety percent of the […]

20 Apr, 2015

Dhaka to host Int’l Conference on Urban Health, May 24-27

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The International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) 2015 will be held from 24–27 May in Dhaka, Bangladesh under the theme of Urban Health for a Sustainable Future: The Post-2015 Agenda. ICUH is organized on a biannual basis by the International Society for Urban Health as an international forum for information exchange among urban health professionals […]

20 Apr, 2015

Report details Australian intellectual property trends

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17 April 2015 (Australian government media release) – Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Science Karen Andrews today released the Australian Intellectual Property Report 2015, a detailed breakdown of the latest intellectual property (IP) trends in Australia. “Intellectual property is a powerful tool for Australia’s economic development and national prosperity, it is a key part of […]

18 Apr, 2015

China to blacklist badly-behaved tourists

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Beijing (Xinhua) 2015-04-11 – China is starting to blacklist poorly-behaved tourists as it seeks to rescue the image of its citizens as holidaymakers. According to a regulation by the China National Tourism Administration (NTA) that entered effect this week, tourists will be blacklisted for offences including acting antisocially on public transport, damaging private or public […]

18 Apr, 2015

Asia to benefit from China’s planned Infrastructure Investment Bank

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(Xinhua) 2015-04-04 HANOI — The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) initiated by China is expected to bring many advantages to the region, said a Vietnamese expert. Tran Viet Thai, deputy director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diplomatic Academy, made the remark in […]

18 Apr, 2015

Majority of British Parliamentary Candidates Agree Israel’s Gaza Blockade Should Go

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LONDON, April 16, 2015 (WAFA) – British Candidates standing for election to Parliament in May have shown their support for an immediate lifting of Israel’s blockade of Gaza in an email survey co-ordinated by Palestine Solidarity Campaign. In a press release, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign affirmed that more than 670 declared candidates from all major […]

18 Apr, 2015

Muslim sisters of New Zealand citizenship harassed at Brisbane airport

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Christchurch City, New Zealand (IINA) 16 Apr 2015 – Two Christchurch Muslim sisters voiced their outrage after being treated as “a potential threat” at an Australian airport while they were on their way to see their father win a medical award, One News of New Zealand television network TVNZ, reported. Canterbury University student Nada Tawfeek, […]

18 Apr, 2015

Calls for wildlife and forest crime to be treated as serious crime

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 13 April 2015 – Poaching and illicit trafficking of wild fauna and flora have a significant impact on species and entire ecosystems, local communities and their livelihoods, national economies, and national and regional security. On 13 April 2015, UNODC and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered […]

18 Apr, 2015

India’s National Foundation for Communal Harmony promotes book “Suleiman Charitra”

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New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, 09-April-2015 — ‘Suleiman Charitra of Kalyana Malla,’ a book translated from Sanskrit by acclaimed writer and former diplomat Mr A.N.D. Haksar, was launched at a function here today in collaboration with the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH). The classic literature, ‘Suleiman Charitra,’ is a work […]

18 Apr, 2015

China going after escapee corrupt officials abroad

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(China Daily) April 13, 2015 — China’s anti-corruption system is receiving “high-quality” tips from around the world and is ready to take further action to catch more former public officials who have escaped abroad with ill-gotten gains. A senior official from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection told China Daily that the top anti-graft […]

18 Apr, 2015

China to boost railway construction in central, western regions: premier

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CHONGQING, April 11 (Xinhua) — China will speed up railway construction in central and western regions to lend steam to economic growth, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang noted Saturday. Railway construction is crucial to steadying growth, economic restructuring and improving public welfare and China will continue to focus on developing major railway projects in central and […]

18 Apr, 2015

Transparency Int’l report: Unregulated lobbying in Europe opens door to corruption

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15 April 2015, Transparency International Secretariat media release – Transparency International said today that Europe urgently needs lobbying reform. A new report from the anti-corruption group found that of 19 European countries assessed, only 7 have some form of dedicated lobbying law or regulation, allowing for nearly unfettered influence of business interests on the daily […]

18 Apr, 2015

Israeli spies learn Quran, Islamic teachings

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Tehran, April 11, IRNA – Israeli security forces have disclosed the regime’s spies are taught the Quran and Islamic ideology, among other things, to help them infiltrate Arab and Muslim communities more easily. Jacob Bieri, a former official with the Israeli spy agency Shin Bet (or Shabak), says the agency’s recruits go through special and […]

18 Apr, 2015

Jewish Fanatic Settlers Storm al-Aqsa Mosque Yards, Assault Female Worshippers

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JERUSALEM, April 12, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers, who stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque yards under Israeli police protection, assaulted on Saturday a number of Palestinian female worshippers, according to witnesses. Witnesses said that Palestinian worshippers were attacked by settlers after attempting to fend off the former’s attempts to tour the yards of the Mosque. Settlers assaulted […]

18 Apr, 2015

Kuwaitis the world’s fattest people

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KUWAIT, April 12 (NNN-KUNA) — Kuwait tops the world in terms of number of obese people, a health official said Saturday, and noted percentage of people being obese could reach 73. Assistant Undersecretary for Technical Affairs Dr. Qais Al-Duwairi warned against threats posed by heart and brain diseases, and artery blockage which have become very […]

18 Apr, 2015

Direct flight to link China’s Guangzhou with Nairobi

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(Xinhua) NAIROBI, April 16 — A direct air route between China’s Guangzhou and the Kenyan capital Nairobi is set to begin operation in August, the China Southern Airlines said Wednesday. “African countries and China have established strong economic ties. The launch of a direct flight connecting Nairobi and Guangzhou will ease travel and promote trade,” […]

18 Apr, 2015

New security alliance to counter match-fixing and manipulation of sports competitions

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Doha, 15 April 2015 (UNODC PRESS RELEASE) – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) has announced a new partnership with UNODC today to help strengthen cross-border investigations and prosecutions into match-fixing and the manipulation of sports competitions. Announced at a high level meeting at the 13th United Nations Crime Congress exploring global data-sharing for […]

18 Apr, 2015

Fighting terrorism by violating human rights will backfire — UN Human Rights experts

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GENEVA (16 April 2015) – Human rights and freedoms should not be sacrificed for political convenience in the fight against terrorism, two United Nations human rights experts have said today. “It is only by strict adherence to international human rights standards that counter-terrorism strategies can ultimately succeed,” said Ben Emmerson, Special Rapporteur on the promotion […]

18 Apr, 2015

Israel to Turn Jerusalem Historical School into Synagogue

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JERUSALEM, April 7, 2015 (WAFA) – Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage has warned of Israeli bids advised by the so-called Temple Mount groups to officially turn the historical Tankaziya School, located within al-Aqsa Mosque compound, into a Jewish synagogue. The Israeli authorities turned the school into a synagogue for enlisted soldiers and a military […]

18 Apr, 2015

Palestinian leader: Israel considers itself above the law

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MOSCOW, April 14, 2015 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday slammed Israel’s longstanding policy of deception, saying that it would no longer fool anybody. Speaking at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, which conferred upon him honorary doctorate degree, Abbas stated that the world is still witnessing Israel’s aggression and racism against the Palestinian people […]

18 Apr, 2015

UN to hold high-level interfaith meeting to promote tolerance, counter extremism

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UNITED NATIONS, April 16 (Xinhua) — Top UN officials are scheduled to convene a high-level interfaith meeting next week in order to promote tolerance and fight violent extremism, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced here Thursday. On April 21-22, President of the 69th session of the General Assembly Sam Kutesa, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and High […]

18 Apr, 2015

Lessons of history must be learnt: Transcript of Chinese PM Li Keqiang’s Interview with FT Editor Lionel Barber

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BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhuanet) — On the afternoon of 31 March 2015, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council gave an exclusive interview to Lionel Barber, Editor of the Financial Times, at the Great Hall of the People. The transcript is as follows: Li Keqiang: Good to see you again, Mr. Barber. I recall that […]

15 Apr, 2015

UN rights experts welcome Blackwater sentencing, urge greater accountability for private security

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 14 April 2015 – The outsourcing of national security to private firms creates risks for human rights and accountability, the United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries confirmed today as it welcomed the sentencing of four former Blackwater Worldwide personnel for the 2007 killing of 14 unarmed Iraqi […]

14 Apr, 2015

Global Post Offices Seek to Redefine Themselves in the Digital Era

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 13 April 2015 – In a message delivered today to delegates at the World Strategy Conference for the United Nations postal agency, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underlined the essential role to be played by postal services in global efforts to build a sustainable future. “As the world shapes a new sustainable […]

14 Apr, 2015

Over 20,000 Expected at U.S. Convention to Combat Islamophobia

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(NEW YORK, NY, April 13, 2015) (ICNA media release) – As part of an ongoing campaign, the Islamic Circle of North America will hold a public convention at the Baltimore Convention Center this weekend to combat Islamophobia and highlight the universal message of peace and love by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon […]

14 Apr, 2015

Human Rights Watch: Israeli settlements using and abusing Palestinian child labour

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April 13, 2015, (Jerusalem) HRW media release – Israeli settlement farms in the West Bank are using Palestinian child labor to grow, harvest, and pack agricultural produce, much of it for export, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The farms pay the children low wages and subject them to dangerous working conditions […]

14 Apr, 2015

UN agency unveils new online tool to reduce risks to aircraft in conflict zones

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 13 April 2015 – The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has launched a new website issuing warnings about risks to aircraft in conflict zones, which aims to serve as a single source for up-to-date assessments from States and relevant international organizations to reduce risks to civil aviation arising […]

14 Apr, 2015

Toilets in Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing are tops with tourists

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(chinadaily.com.cn/Xinhua) 2015-04-13 – Toilet conditions at tourist attractions need to be improved nationwide, and the cities having the best toilets for tourists are Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing, according to a survey report released by the China Tourism Academy (CTA) last week. The first quarter, nationwide tourist satisfaction survey by CTA shows that the overall feedback […]

9 Apr, 2015

World Bank: Israeli Restrictions Prevent Development of Palestinian Energy Sector

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JERUSALEM, April 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli restrictions have prevented construction of power network in large parts of West Bank (Area C, 60% of the West Bank), and the absence of peace and stability continues to discourage private investment in the sector, Wednesday announced the World Bank in a press statement on the electricity and […]

9 Apr, 2015

Wiping Palestine Off the Map: Israel Seizes More Land for Settlement Expansion in Hebron

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HEBRON, April 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Wednesday took over a thousand dunums of Palestinian-owned land located between the towns of Beit Ummar and Beit Fajjar in the Hebron district for the benefit of settlement expansion, according to a local activist. Anti-settlement activists in Beit Ummar, Yousif Abu Maryya, informed WAFA that Israeli forces […]

9 Apr, 2015

At thematic debate, UN chief urges efficient private sector funding for post-2015 development

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 8 April 2015 – The international community needs a financial framework capable of confronting the multifaceted crises of the day in a predictable and effective manner if it is to delineate a successful post-2015 sustainable development agenda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed. Delivering the opening remarks to the UN […]

9 Apr, 2015

Swiss commodity multinationals face transparency pressure at UNCTAD conference

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Geneva, 8 April 2015 (UNCTAD media release) – Representatives from the Swiss Government, individual trading companies and transparency advocates will discuss the current lack of publicly available information about commodity trading in Switzerland at UNCTAD’s sixth annual Global Commodities Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 13–14 April 2015. The Forum continues a […]

7 Apr, 2015

Chinese attractions slash entrance fees to bring in tourists

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NANCHANG, April 5 (Xinhua) — The Lushan Conference Hall, where Mao Zedong convened a historic meeting in 1959, exemplifies one of the late communist leader’s theories: whoever wins the people wins the war. The site at scenic Lushan Mountain, Jiangxi Province, has just reversed the tide in its battle for visitors. Last year, it received […]

7 Apr, 2015

Survey: U.S. College Student Loan Amounts, Financial Stress Levels on the Rise

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WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 02, 2015 – The third-year results of Money Matters on Campus, a survey of 43,000 college students across the U.S., show that students are taking out more and larger student loans, yet report feeling less prepared to manage their money than any other aspect of college life. Further, though students reported a higher […]

7 Apr, 2015

Drought-hit California launches public education campaign to cut water use by 25%

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. April 02, 2015 –(BUSINESS WIRE)–On the heels of Governor Jerry Brown’s announcement yesterday of the first-ever statewide mandatory water reductions, Save Our Water – California’s conservation education program – is launching Keep Saving CA, a statewide public education campaign to help Californians make lasting and permanent reductions in the amount of water they […]

7 Apr, 2015

On International Day, UN underlines role of sport in promoting development, peace

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 April 2015 – On the second annual International Day of Sport for Development and Peace today, top United Nations officials stressed the important role that sport can play in achieving sustainable progress and change. “Sport has the power to help develop the potential of individuals, communities and nations,” said […]

2 Apr, 2015

International Criminal Court welcomes Palestine as State Party to the Rome Statute

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 1 April 2015 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomed the Palestine as the 123rd State Party to its founding Rome Statute today, in a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague in The Netherlands. “Accession to a treaty is, of course, just the first step,” […]

29 Mar, 2015

UNWTO to convene first conference on Food Tourism

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Madrid (UNWTO media release) — The  Basque Culinary Center and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in collaboration with Basquetour, the Gipuzkoa Foral Deputation and the Donostia-San Sebastián Town Hall are organizing the 1st UNWTO Affiliate Members World Forum on Food Tourism, 27-29 April 2015 in San Sebastián, Spain. Food is a fundamental element of all […]

27 Mar, 2015

Botswana Conference Highlights Fight Against Illegal Trade In Wildlife

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KASANE, BOTSWANA, March 26 (NNN-XINHUA) — Delegates attending a conference on illegal wildlife trade in Botswana have agreed to step up actions to fight the illegal trade of wildlife products, and to protect elephants, rhinos and other endangered species. The Kasane Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade wrapped up Wednesday in the northern Botswana town […]

27 Mar, 2015

Malaysia’s Fast Track Clearance Pass Can Now Be Processed In Singapore

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SINGAPORE, March 26 (NNN-Bernama) — A new streamlined experience will avail greater convenience and save time for Singaporean motorists and pedestrians seeking to apply the MACS (Malaysia Automated Clearance System) pass that allows for smoother auto-gate processing at the Malaysian checkpoints. Third Link Pte Ltd, a vendor appointed by the Malaysian immigration authorities, has set […]

27 Mar, 2015

Scott Horton: How to Rein in a Secretive Shadow Government Is Our National Security Crisis

Mark Karlin: Many book dedications are to relatives or friends of the author. You dedicate your book to Andrei Sakharov. Why so? Scott Horton: Andrei Sakharov was one of the most important and underappreciated thinkers of the last century. He also saw the problem I am writing about – the threat that secrecy presents to […]

27 Mar, 2015

Full list of exhibitors at Singapore trade show for People With Disability

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Singapore – Asia Pacific, besides facing rapidly ageing population, is home to approximately 650 million people with disabilities. The rapid and unabated expansion of the ageing and disabled community in Asia Pacific has resulted in increased demand for long term integrated care services, products and technologies, hence making Asia Pacific the new growth market for […]

27 Mar, 2015

Malaysia Aims to Energise Halal Ecosystem via World Halal Summit starting 30 March

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (26 March 2015) – Malaysia will take another giant leap towards establishing the country as the global Halal hub when it hosts the World Halal Summit. Scheduled to be held from 30th March to 4th April 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), WHS 2015 is set to be the largest […]

26 Mar, 2015

Jewish Fanatic Settlers Mobilize for Mass Entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Passover

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JERUSALEM, March 25, 2015 (WAFA) – Jewish groups that define themselves by the name of the alleged ancient Temple are preparing for the Jewish holiday Passover by mobilizing the largest number of settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform religious prayers in its yards. According to the Islamic Institute of Waqf and Heritage, the Temple […]

26 Mar, 2015

UN marks Day of Remembrance with calls to end modern slavery

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 25 March 2015 – As the international community gathers to commemorate the millions of victims exploited by slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warned that the insidious practice of forced bondage continued to reverberate around the world in various forms – from forced labour […]

25 Mar, 2015

Muslim woman in Hijab assaulted on Sydney train

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Sydney, (IINA) 25 Mar 2015 – A hijab wearing Muslim woman was attacked by a man while she was onboard a train in Sydney, leaving her traumatized and terrified, media sources reported. Hina, who wanted to be identified only by her first name, was on her journey from the city’s Town Hall station to Parramatta […]

24 Mar, 2015

World Social Forum in Tunis can inspire activists to unite against the global power grab

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By Adriano Campolina, chief executive, ActionAid International Tunis, March 25, 2015, The Guardian — There’s no snow, fewer celebrities, and a lot less glitz, but the World Social Forum’s 10th global meeting, which opens in Tunis on 24 March, is the critics’ answer to the Davos World Economic Forum. Here in Tunis, I’m meeting people who […]

21 Mar, 2015

ACLU Sues TSA for Records on Discredited US$1 billion ‘Behavior Detection’ Program at U.S. airports

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March 19, 2015, NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union and the NYCLU took the Transportation Security Administration to court today in an effort to uncover documents about a controversial passenger screening program used at airports nationwide., The program is called Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques, or SPOT. TSA “behavior detection officers” watch passengers […]

21 Mar, 2015

Chinese Commentary: America the Kibitzer on South China Sea

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BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) — Uncle Sam has long been in the grip of many addictions, such as muscle-flexing, preaching and borrowing, but there has turned out to be one more: kibitzing. The latest symptom of the obsession with unwanted counseling emerged into plain sight earlier this week, when Robert Thomas, commander of the U.S. […]

20 Mar, 2015

China’s global image on the upswing

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Beijing, (China Daily), March 19, 2015 – China’s national image has been improving over the past few years, with President Xi Jinping becoming a highlight, according to a survey report. The global survey, based on 4,500 respondents from nine countries last year, found that China’s overall image has been increasingly recognized by the global community. […]

20 Mar, 2015

China rethinks how forex reserves are used as U.S. Treasuries holdings fall

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BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) — The reduction of U.S. government bond holdings has signalled investment in U.S. Treasuries is gradually losing appeal to China’s massive foreign exchange (FX) reserves. According to data released this week by the U.S. Treasury Department.China cut its holdings by 5.2 billion U.S. dollars to 1.2391 trillion dollars in January, marking […]

20 Mar, 2015

Backed by Israeli troops, Jewish Fanatic Settlers Take over Property in East Jerusalem Neighborhood

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JERUSALEM, March 18, 2015 (WAFA) – Armed Israeli settlers Wednesday took over a Palestinian property in East Jerusalem’s town of Silwan as well as two plots of land which belong to two different Palestinian families. Protected by large Israeli troops, armed settlers broke into Silwan and occupied a building, which houses four apartments, that belongs […]

20 Mar, 2015

Israel Demolishes Dozens of Residential Structures, Livestock Barns in Jordan Valley

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JORDAN VALLEY, March 18, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities early Wednesday demolished dozens of residential structures and livestock barns in the northern Jordan Valley localities of Makhoul and al-Hadidiya, according to a municipal source and local activist. Escorting bulldozers, Israeli forces broke into and cordoned the area off and prevented locals from approaching the structures […]

20 Mar, 2015

Israel Cuts 150 Olive Trees in Hebron, Burns Roots to Ensure Damage

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HEBRON, March 18, 2015 (WAFA) – The so-called Israeli Civil Administration Wednesday sprayed the roots of around 150 Olive trees in the area of Mala southeast of Dahriya south of Hebron with Chemicals to kill the trees, under allegations of being planted in a state property. According to local sources, the Israeli army cut the […]

17 Mar, 2015

China’s luxury big spenders: young, trendy and not so rich

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Beijing, (Agencies) 2015-03-16 – Global luxury brands expanding in China are better off targeting the HENRYs – “high earners, not rich yet” – instead of the ultra-wealthy, as a slowing economy and a government that frowns on official excesses usher in an era of less showy spending. HENRYs believe less is more. These younger spenders […]

17 Mar, 2015

#HappySoundsLike: UN launches social media campaign to create world’s happiest playlist

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 16 March 2015 – Does happiness have a sound? And, if so, what does it actually sound like? That is the question the United Nations is asking as it launches its latest campaign – #HappySoundsLike – an appeal for the global citizenry “to nominate a song that brings a smile […]

17 Mar, 2015

Japan to loan $160m for Phnom Penh-Thailand highway

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Phnom Penh, 16 Mar 2015, KYODO NEWS – Japan will extend about US$160 million in low-interest loans to Cambodia to improve a major road, a move that would increase transportation capacity and efficiency in the Mekong region. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen on Sunday that Japan would make the 19.2-billion-yen […]

17 Mar, 2015

India’s first private airport, majority owned by Changi, nears opening

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Press Trust of India | Durgapur (West Bengal) March 16, 2015 — The country’s first private greenfield airport at Durgapur, promoted by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd (BAPL), is likely to be operational by April 14. “The final calibration of navigational aids at the airport by Airport Authority is done. Now, we expect to get final […]

17 Mar, 2015

Iran reports rise in foreign investment interest in tourism sector

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Shahrekord, Chaharmahal-o Bakhtiari Prov, March 14, IRNA – The foreign investment demands in Iran tourism sector have recently increased, a senior official said on Sunday. Talking to IRNA, Head of the Organization for Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, Masoud Soltanifar said so far, several foreign groups have voiced their readiness to made investment in Iran […]

17 Mar, 2015

China’s Spring Festival passengers up 3.5% to 2.81 bln

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BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese railways, roads, airlines and waterways carried a total of 2.81 billion passengers during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, known as “chunyun,” which concluded on Sunday. The figure is 3.5 percent up on last year, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on Monday. A total of 2.42 billion passengers […]

16 Mar, 2015

Australian musicians to get A$900,000 in grants to promote their work locally and abroad

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Canberra, Media statement by the Minister of the Arts, George Brandis – 13 March 2015 Today I am announcing close to $900,000 in grants to increase the exposure of Australian musicians to national and international audiences, and support the development of new work. Forty-two musicians will be supported by a range of music grants through […]

16 Mar, 2015

The Future of China: Full Transcript of Premier Li Keqiang’s Broad-ranging Press Conference

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Beijing, Mar 15,2015, english.gov.cn — Fu Ying: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Today we are delighted to invite Premier Li Keqiang to meet Chinese and foreign journalists and take your questions. We have a full house today. There are about eight to nine hundred journalists present at today’s press conference. But our time is limited […]

15 Mar, 2015

India to step up economic projects for Northeast region, links with Myanmar, B’desh & Bhutan

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New Delhi, Ministry for Development of North-East Region, 14-March-2015 – The members of the consultative committee attached to the Ministry for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) in a meeting held here yesterday discussed the issues of promotion of Tourism, improvement of connectivity & other infrastructural projects in the region. During the first meeting of the […]

14 Mar, 2015

Survey: 96% of Organizations Back Employee Well-being Initiatives to Curb Rising Health-Care Costs

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March 12, 2015 WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Workplace wellness programs and well-being initiatives are key components to improving employee health and containing rising health-care costs, according to a new survey, “Total Rewards and Well-Being” conducted by WorldatWork with underwriting support from HealthMine. WorldatWork, a nonprofit HR association released the survey findings today, which show 96% of organizations support […]

14 Mar, 2015

Australians among clients of alleged paedophile Peter Gerard Scully, investigators say

Investigators believe Australians were among the clients of Peter Gerard Scully, the Melbourne man whose alleged sex crimes against babies and children in the Philippines have renewed calls for the south-east Asian country to reintroduce the death penalty. A 13 year-old girl from an impoverished family, who has emerged as Scully’s latest alleged victim, has […]

13 Mar, 2015

Chinese frugality drive takes toll on luxury hotel revenues

By Cao Yin

Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-03-11 – Five dozen luxury hotels in Beijing lost money in the past few years as tough policies and regulations took effect against government corruption and waste of public funds, an insider from the capital’s tourism authority said during the annual legislative session. Beijing saw 60 five-star hotels fall into deficit last […]

10 Mar, 2015

Adobe Brings Marketing Intelligence to New Touch Points at Internet-of-Things Devices

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SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 10, 2015 — At Adobe Summit, Adobe’s annual Digital Marketing conference in the U.S., Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today unveiled major new innovations in Adobe Marketing Cloud that enable brands to bring highly personalized experiences to physical spaces like retail stores, hotel rooms, vending machines and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. The new IoT SDK […]

10 Mar, 2015

New Book Exposes How Branding Campaigns Manipulate Our Lives

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 09, 2015 — Every day, brands get inside our brains with a range of powerful psychological tricks which manipulate unsuspecting consumers into parting with their hard earned cash. But how do brands create such strong emotional attachments to us, and how do they come to resonate so strongly? With over thirty years’ experience, […]

10 Mar, 2015

Global Number of Car Sharing Users to Reach 650 Million by 2030, Says ABI Research

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)- March 09, 2015 – Car and ride sharing is just one example of the new on-demand economy allowing real-time matching of supply and demand through connected smartphone applications. According to ABI Research, successive forms of vehicle sharing approaches represent paradigm shifts in uptake and popularity; each new generation seeing adoption rates at least […]

10 Mar, 2015

Survey: UK Shoppers Warming to New Payments Technologies but Now Expect More From Retailers

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 10, 2015 – Verifone (NYSE:PAY), today announced the findings of its UK consumer study that shows how British shoppers are taking to new technologies enthusiastically as they browse and pay for goods and services. Yet with these advances and choices comes a need for retailers to offer promotions and incentives consistently across all […]

10 Mar, 2015

Australia to return questionably-procured cultural artefacts to China, India

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The Australian Government has agreed to return two prized cultural artefacts originating in India and China to their home countries. Both were found to have been procured under questionable circumstances and are to be returned in accordance with the principles and legal obligations of the Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material. Two media […]

9 Mar, 2015

Japan’s Muslim-Friendly Environment Pulls Malaysian, Indonesian Tourists

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A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 09 March 2015 (18 Jumaada al-Awwal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT […]

8 Mar, 2015

FREE Download: EU report shows women earned on average 16% less than men in 2013

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Brussels, 05 March 2015 (European Union Media release) – In 2013, the gender pay gap1 stood at 16.4% in the European Union (EU), ranging from less than 5% in Slovenia to more than 20% in Estonia, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. The gender pay gap represents the difference between average gross hourly earnings of […]

8 Mar, 2015

UN Member States must ‘step it up’ on gender parity to meet equality targets by 2030

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 March 2015 – The past 20 years has seen haltering progress on women’s rights issues and, in some areas, outright stagnation and regression, the head of the United Nations entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment said today. Briefing journalists at a press conference at in New York as […]

8 Mar, 2015

Women farmers pillar of food security – UN agencies

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 6 March 2015 – Ahead of International Women’s Day, United Nations food relief agencies gathered to remind the world that women farmers play a central role in achieving food and nutrition security, urging countries to step up efforts to empower rural women who too often do “backbreaking work” to harvest […]

8 Mar, 2015

Count Us In! – ITUC Statement on International Women’s Day 2015

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The 4th Global Action of the World March of Women will bring together women activists from every continent on the planet, united in their demands for a sustainable and caring economy and for social justice, peace and democracy. Read the full statement  

8 Mar, 2015

FREE Download: 50 Leading Companies for Women in the Asia-Pacific

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Singapore, (APEC Media release) 6 Mar 2015 – In a small tin roof house in the Philippines, a group of women use crochet needles to sew recycled plastic bags into colorful fashion purses.  The purses, designed by an artist, end up on the shelves of upmarket ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle in downtown Manila—providing valuable income to […]

6 Mar, 2015

Israeli Court Ruling Allows Jewish Prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

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JERUSALEM, March 4, 2015 (WAFA) – Palestinian organizations criticized the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruling which ostensibly backs claims that Jews are allowed to pray in al-Aqsa Mosque compound. While Jewish extremists praised the ruling and considered it a “historic victory” as Israeli media sources reported, al-Aqsa Foundation for Islamic Waqf and Heritage published a report […]

6 Mar, 2015

Chinese Leaders’ Ten-Point Projections for the Future of China

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Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 03, 2015 – The 3rd Session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee of the People’s Republic of China opened on March 3, 2015 in Beijing, followed by the 3rd Session of the 12th National People’s Congress on March 5. 2015 is a crucial year for deeper […]

6 Mar, 2015

FREE Download: Report Reveals How Corrupt Capital Is Used to Buy Property in the UK

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London, 04 March 2015, (Transparency International) — It is well-known that the global rich are buying up large parts of London. But who they really are and where their money comes from is too often a well-kept secret. They use secret offshore companies to buy the properties and don’t disclose their identities. These secret companies […]

6 Mar, 2015

Global Taxi Network begins to ponder its future

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Brussels, 5 March 2015,(International Road Transport Union) – At its inaugural meeting today, the Advisory Committee of the IRU Global Taxi Network (GTN) addressed the issue of taxi service quality and current and future challenges facing taxis and hire cars with drivers. It notably expressed its support for the industry initiative to launch the GTN. […]

6 Mar, 2015

Gaza: UN humanitarian arm warns that Israeli blockade ‘undermining’ living standards

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 March 2015 – The living conditions of nearly 2 million Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip have been undermined by the enduring blockade against the enclave, the United Nations humanitarian office reported today. The longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have led […]

5 Mar, 2015

OECD report cites “worrying” toll exacted by mental ill-health at workplace

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Paris, (OECD media release) 04/03/2015 – Health and employment services should intervene earlier, involve key stakeholders and ensure they work together in order to help people with mental-health issues find work and stay in a job, according to a new OECD report. Entitled “Fit Mind, Fit Job: From Evidence to Practice in Mental Health and […]

5 Mar, 2015

New UN report urges funding boost for disaster risk reduction

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 4 March 2015 – A new United Nations report urging greater investment in risk prevention has underscored disaster risk reduction as a building block for future sustainable development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed today as the Organization prepares for a pivotal upcoming global conference on the issue. Delivering remarks at the […]

5 Mar, 2015

UN health agency points to ‘solid evidence’ backing its call to reduce sugar intake

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 4 March 2015 – New guidelines released by the United Nations health agency today recommended that adults and children worldwide reduce their daily sugar intake to boost health and stave off non-communicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says intake of ‘free’ sugars – monosaccharides (such as glucose, fructose) and […]