4 Mar, 2015

Jew rebuts Jew: Benjamin Netanyahu’s Fantasy World

by Rabbi Michael Lerner “If you take out Saddam, Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region.” ~ Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu urging the US to invade Iraq in 2002. Netanyahu’s speech to Congress was brilliantly deceitful because it played to the fantasies that Israeli propaganda and right […]

4 Mar, 2015

South Africa holds Israeli Apartheid Week

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JOHANNESBURG, March 3, 2015 (WAFA) – South Africa Monday began a weeklong international campaign to shed light on the policies used by Israel against Palestinians and its Apartheid nature. Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is an annual international series of events (including rallies, protests, lectures, cultural performances, concerts, films and workshops) held in over 250 cities, […]

3 Mar, 2015

Indian visitor arrivals up 7.1% in 2014, another 50 tourism circuits planned

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New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Tourism, 02-March-2015 – Foreign Tourist Arrivals during the period January-December 2014 were 74.62 lakh with a growth of 7.1%, as compared to the Foreign Tourist Arrivals of 69.68 lakh with a growth of 5.9% during January-December 2013 over the corresponding period of 2012. Foreign Exchange Earnings from tourism […]

3 Mar, 2015

Air pollution, corruption, wealth-gap top public concerns in China

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-03-03 – Air pollution, corruption and the wealth gap are the three issues of most concern to readers ahead of the annual parliamentary sessions of China, dubbed as “two sessions”, according to an online survey by the China Daily website. The issue of pollution has grown in importance for people since last year’s […]

3 Mar, 2015

China’s anti-graft campaign maintains high public approval rating

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Beijing, (People’s Daily), March 03, 2015 – China’s anti-graft campaign has attracted widespread attention from both the Party and the public. The campaign has proven remarkably successful since President Xi Jinping led the fight against corruption after taking office in 2012. Anti-corruption is believed to be a key topic at the upcoming two sessions, which […]

3 Mar, 2015

Venezuela sets deadline for U.S. to cut embassy staff

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CARACAS, March 2 (Xinhua) — Washington has 15 days to reduce its 100-strong embassy staff in Caracas by some 80 percent, Venezuela said Monday. It’s up to Washington to decide which 17 diplomats will remain out of an estimated 100, a size similar to the staff at the embassy of the South American nation in […]

3 Mar, 2015

Iran plans “Resistance Economy” as a strategic policy: MP

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Tehran, March 2, IRNA – An Iranian parliamentarian described resistance economy an issue which is of strategic importance for the country. Talking to IRNA on Monday, Ali Mohammad Ahmadi who is a deputy for Majlis Budget and Planning Committee, said that resistance economy offers a comprehensive and strategic plans for development of country’s economy not […]

3 Mar, 2015

China calls for better commercial services in overseas embassies

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(Xinhua) BEIJING, March 2 — Senior Chinese leaders has urged diplomats in charge of commercial affairs to greatly contribute to economic ties between China and foreign countries they station. A four-day national conference on improving economic and commercial counseling services in foreign countries concluded on Monday, during which Vice Premier Wang Yang held discussions with […]

3 Mar, 2015

2,600+ people sign anti-Netanyahu, anti-war ad in New York Times

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Source: Rabbi Michael Lerner, www.tikkun.org This is the ad, signed by over 2,600 people,  that appears today in the New York Times, and tomorrow on Capitol Hill in “The Hiill” newspaper (read in every Congressional office and in the White House) can be viewed here:  https://org.salsalabs.com/o/525/images/Final netanyahu ad.pdf If you like it, please sign it […]

2 Mar, 2015

Texting Jargon is harming Persian language, writing skills

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Tehran, March 2, IRNA — Experts fear that the jargon of text messages has spawned a new online language and culture which is undermining the Persian language and writing skills. A special program on the subject of ‘SMS and Persian language’ was held at Tehran’s National Library’s Andhishegah (literally, thinking room) hall on Sunday (March […]

1 Mar, 2015

Natural disasters in Asia-Pacific impact some 80 million people – UN study

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BANGKOK, (UNESCAP media release) — In 2014, over half of the world’s 226 natural disasters occurred in the Asia and Pacific region. Although it was a year without a single large-scale catastrophe caused by an earthquake or tsunami, the region experienced severe storms, cross-border floods and landslides, which accounted for 85 percent of all disasters. […]

1 Mar, 2015

Most popular items Chinese tourists buy overseas

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Beijing, 2015-02-27, (Xinhuanet) – Spring Festival is no longer a time solely for family reunions in China as more and more Chinese are traveling abroad during the holiday. Shopping has one of their most important missions during the weeklong vacation. From Japanese electronic toilet seats to Swiss luxury watches, Chinese tourists have been globe-trotting in […]

1 Mar, 2015

Venezuela to sanction U.S officials, require visas for Americans

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CARACAS, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced Saturday that his government will deny visas to a number of United States officials whom he called “terrorists”, including former president George W. Bush and senators Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez. Speaking at an anti U.S. rally, Maduro said these measures were taken to ease […]

22 Feb, 2015

Jewish Fanatic Settlers Chop Down 36 Olive Trees in South Hebron Hills

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AT-TUWANI, February 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers chopped down Friday 36 olive trees in the south Hebron hills, said Operation Dove, an Italian peace group, in a press release, The group said that on the morning of February 20, Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills awoke to find that 36 olive trees had been […]

22 Feb, 2015

On Mother Language Day, UN spotlights role of native tongue in education

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 21 February 2015 – Mother tongue education is not only a force for quality learning, it is also essential to bolster multilingualism and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity at a time when societies are transforming quickly and many languages are under threat, the United Nations agency mandated with promoting […]

21 Feb, 2015

Iran’s Jews: It is our home and we plan to stay

Tehran, Feb 20, IRNA – National Public Radio (NPR), a media organization in the United States, says Iranian Jews believe Iran is their home and they want to stay in their home. In a report written by the NPR reporter Steve Inskeep, we read Iran is a country where people at rallies routinely chant ‘Death […]

20 Feb, 2015

Beijing’s crowd control system to be rolled out nationwide

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Beijing, (Xinhua), 2015-02-02 – Beijing is using a crowd analytics system to prevent stampedes at major commercial areas. It is hoped that the system will be rolled out nationwide. Beijing has used the system, which was developed by the Beijing Municipal Institute of Labor Protection (BMILP), for five years. The system provides real-time data on […]

20 Feb, 2015

Wealth of China’s super rich to rise in Year of Sheep

Beijing, (CRI), 2015-02-18 – Ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival that falls on Thursday, also the Year of the Sheep, China’s ultra-high net worth population will have another successful year. Ultra-high net worth (UHNW) intelligence and prospecting firm Wealth-X has predicted that the wealth of UHNW population, those with a net worth of $30 million […]

19 Feb, 2015

China Focus: Mind your manner – tourists advised before holiday travel rush

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HANGZHOU, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — As many Chinese prepare to travel abroad for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, tourism industry insiders are appealing travelers to mind their manners. Ctrip, a NASDAQ-listed travel service company, published a report on Chinese travelers’ behavior abroad in January, which claimed most of the 1 million tourists using its package […]

19 Feb, 2015

Spotlight: Chinese Maritime Silk Road to boost regional prosperity

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BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Overseas experts have made positive comments on China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative, saying it will promote the development of the countries along the route and boost regional prosperity. Professor James Peck from New York University told reporters that the strategic 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiative will exert […]

19 Feb, 2015

Israel’s Control of Dead Sea Deprives Palestinians of $962b Annually

RAMALLAH, February 15, 2015 (WAFA) – The Ministry of National Economy Sunday said the Israeli government’s full control of the Dead Sea deprives the Palestinian economy from taking advantage of its natural resources and valuable metals by profiting from around $962 billion. The ministry said if Palestinians were allowed to make use of the natural […]

19 Feb, 2015

Bangkok Int’l Fashion & Leather Fairs 2015 to be held March 11-15

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Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce invites you to attend the 33th Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair or BIFF&BIL. This time, BIFF&BIL 2015, which will be held during March 11-15, 2015 at Challenger Hall 1-2, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, will portray the new whole […]

19 Feb, 2015

Jewish fanatic settlers uproot hundreds of olive saplings near Hebron

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HEBRON, February 18, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Wednesday uprooted around 550 newly planted olive saplings in the town of ash-Shuyukh to the northeast of Hebron, according to local sources. Sources told WAFA that settlers from the illegal settlements of Asfar and Bani Kadim uprooted olive trees’ saplings belonging to the families of Abd al-Qader […]

19 Feb, 2015

UN political chief warns of ‘increasingly toxic’ Gaza; calls for new talks, international support

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 18 February 2015 – Briefing the United Nations Security Council after “another tumultuous and deadly month” in the Middle East, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, warned that further escalation remains possible in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and could be highly damaging to both parties and to […]

19 Feb, 2015

Israeli Police Let Jewish Fanatics into Al-Aqsa Area, Block Palestinians Entry

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JERUSALEM, February 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Tuesday continued their almost daily provocative visits to al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem, whilst Israeli police proceeded with imposing restrictive policies on Palestinian worshippers’ entry. Settlers, divided in small groups and protected by Israeli police, stormed the Mosque’s compound and carried out provocative tours, infuriating worshipers who […]

19 Feb, 2015

ADB Publishes Myanmar Business Plan 2015-17, Plans Minimum US$463m in Funding

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Bangkok – The Asian Development Bank has published its Country Operations Business Plan for Myanmar covering the period 2015-2017.  The indicative allocation for Myanmar amounts to $463 million but could go up to $680 million if cofinancing and funding from other sources is included. The key economic sectors targeted are Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Natural Resources, […]

19 Feb, 2015

FREE Download: European Long-Haul Travel Sentiment Survey Report

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Brussels, 18th February 2015.  (ETC Media release) – To best support the tourism sector facing uncertainties caused by threats of terrorism and Eurozone economic instability, the European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Tourism Association (ETOA) and the Eurail Group have jointly launched a new research initiative that monitors travel sentiment in key extra-European markets: Brazil, […]

19 Feb, 2015

Afghanistan cricketers, some ex-refugees, inspire on World Cup debut

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Canberra, (International Cricket Council website), 19 February 2015 – The Cinderella story of world cricket did not achieve the fairy tale finish many hoped for on Wednesday, but Afghanistan’s maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup had a far greater significance than the score at the end of the Manuka Oval match. The Afghanistan […]

18 Feb, 2015

India to Help Myanmar Upgrade Border Infrastructure

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Nay Pyi Taw, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 17-February-2015 — The 5th India- Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 17 February, 2015. The meeting was co-Chaired by Minister of Commerce & Industry Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman and Myanmar Union Minister of Commerce U Win Myint. The […]

18 Feb, 2015

2014 Political crisis caused Bangkok hotels to be worst hit amongst Asia-Pacific cities

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SINGAPORE, Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — According to the HRS Annual Hotel Price Radar, Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore took the top slots for cities with most expensive average hotel room rates in 2014. Based on data collected from all hotel bookings made via the HRS hotel portal in 2014, the analysis looks at per night […]

18 Feb, 2015

Beijing pollution levels projected to spike with New Year fireworks

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Beijing, (China Daily)  2015-02-17 – When the fireworks light up the night to celebrate Lunar New Year in Beijing, air quality in the capital will get worse, possibly leading to three days of severe pollution, the municipal environmental watchdog said on Monday. The weather from Wednesday to Friday is expected to be windless, which means […]

18 Feb, 2015

Health & wellness: Mindfulness meditation may help older adults sleep better – study

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) — Mindfulness meditation practices may help improve sleep quality in older adults with moderate sleep disturbance, a U.S. study said Monday. An estimated 50 percent of individuals 55 years and older have some sort of sleep problem in the United States, and moderate sleep disturbances in older adults are associated with […]

18 Feb, 2015

Chinese Commentary: Those terrorists that once were ‘friends’ of United States

Beijing, (Xinhua), February 17, 2015 — U.S. President Barack Obama is set to meet with leaders and senior security officials from many other countries at a summit in Washington on Thursday, in an attempt to address the aggravating terrorist violence across the world. This summit, themed “Summit on Countering Violent Extremism,” will be attended by […]

18 Feb, 2015

Happiness Index Survey: PhDs less happy than the less well-educated

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Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), February 17, 2015 – A report released by China Household Finance Survey last Thursday shows that the improvement in educational level has not created a greater sense of happiness, and that PhDs feel even less happy than the least well-educated. Overall, a higher level of education means less happiness. Primary school […]

17 Feb, 2015

European taxpayers fork out another €212 million to subsidise Israeli occupation of Palestine

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Brussels, 17 February 2015, European Commission Press release — The European Union has released the first tranche of its 2015 financial support to the Palestinian Authority and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), totalling €212 million. This new funding will help provide vital basic services […]

16 Feb, 2015

Beijing strengthens Chinese New Year holiday festival safety measures

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Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-02-14 – The Beijing city government is strengthening safety measures for Spring Festival following the deadly New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai. The number of visitors in tourist attractions will be strictly monitored, according to the Beijing Commission of Tourism Development, and police must be contacted immediately if they exceed the safety […]

16 Feb, 2015

Chinese New Year Luxury sales sag in corruption-plagued Shanxi

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Beijing, (Xinhua)  2015-02-15 – The upcoming Lunar New Year is not making life for luxury retailers in Northwest China’s Shanxi province any easier as sales continue dropping amid the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. “In the past, wearing top brands at work attracted admiration. Now it invites suspicion over corruption, so everybody is being low-key these days,” […]

16 Feb, 2015

150 U.S.-based Civil Rights & Faith Groups Urge Federal Investigation of Muslim murders

13 Feb 2015 (Official media release) – Today a diverse coalition of 150 leading civil rights, faith, community, and civic groups, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to open a full and rigorous federal hate crime investigation into the brutal murders of Deah Shaddy Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, […]

16 Feb, 2015

Health & Wellness: Alcoholics Will Pass their Drinking Problem on to their Children

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New York (13-02-2015),  Joint Press Release IOGT International, Nacoa UK, NACoA (USA) — – Marking Children of Alcoholics Week 2015, Civil Society leaders have called in a joint press release for stronger efforts to not leave children of alcoholics isolated and alone. “Children of Alcoholics are all too often silently suffering because their needs are […]

13 Feb, 2015

Philippines: Thousands Call For Passage Of Bangsamoro Law to End Mindanao Conflict

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COTABATO CITY, Feb 12 (NNN-PNA) — About 20,000 peace activists converged at the plaza here as part of simultaneous peace rallies in support of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as a permanent solution to the decades-old Mindanao conflict. The peace rallies were staged in different areas in Mindanao — General Santos City; […]

11 Feb, 2015

U.S. Restaurants projected to add over 300,000 jobs in 2015

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February 6, 2015, National Restaurant Association, – Restaurant industry job growth outpaced the overall economy for the 15th consecutive year in 2014, adding jobs at a robust 3.5 percent rate.  Restaurants will continue to post solid payroll gains in 2015, and will add over 300,000 jobs for the fifth consecutive calendar year, according to the […]

11 Feb, 2015

Business Travel Coalition Calls For Investigation of Unjustified Airline Fuel Surcharging

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February 9, 2015, WASHINGTON, DC (BTC media release) – The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a thorough and in-depth investigation with respect to the airline industry’s continued assessment of often-sizeable fuel surcharges on many itineraries in violation of DOT’s clear “Additional Guidance on Airfare/Air Tour Price […]

11 Feb, 2015

Luxury Hotel Okura being built in fast-growing Phnom Penh, Cambodia

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TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–February 9, 2015 – Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. announced it will open The Okura Prestige Phnom Penh, a luxury hotel to be built in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, in 2019. Hotel Okura has signed an agreement to manage the hotel with TEHO Development Cambodia Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of TEHO International, listed in Singapore. […]

11 Feb, 2015

Jewish state to add more illegal settlements to wipe Palestine off the map

TEL AVIV, February 9, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli government has marked some 3,740 dunams in the occupied West Bank as state lands, preparing to expand four illegal settlements, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. It said the so-called Israeli Civil Administration, which has complete jurisdiction in Area C of the West Bank, set a […]

11 Feb, 2015

Jewish state to Demolish EU-Funded Projects in Area C of West Bank

RAMALLAH, February 8, 2015 (WAFA) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned on Sunday the decision of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to demolish around 400 European Union-funded Palestinian structures in Area C of the West Bank, under complete Israeli jurisdiction. Earlier Friday, Netanyahu instructed his Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon to move forward with a plan to […]

11 Feb, 2015

Rapid aviation growth creating “imminent” pilot shortage, will impact on safety, IATA warns

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BANGKOK — The rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific aviation industry is set to create a major shortage of qualified pilots which in turn could impact on safety levels, the International Air Transport Association has warned. In a paper presented to Second High-Level Safety Conference 2015 organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montréal, 2 […]

10 Feb, 2015

World Interfaith Week Marked Under Theme “Multi-religious Partnership for Sustainable Development”

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United Nations, 6 February 2015 (UN News Centre) – At a special event today which marked World Interfaith Week, top United Nations officials celebrated the importance of dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people. The President of the General Assembly told the event, titled “World Interfaith Harmony: […]

9 Feb, 2015

New alliance formed to unite all Australians with disability

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Canberra, 6 February 2015, Minister for Social Services media release – A new Alliance representing the interests and views of all people with disability will provide advice to the Australian Government on improving social and economic participation, and breaking down barriers. The National Cross-Disability Alliance will provide the Government with practical advice to help improve […]

9 Feb, 2015

Australian State Tourism Ministers call for lower fuel costs to be passed onto customers

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Sydney, Minister of Trade & Investment Media release, 6 February 2015 – Australia’s Tourism Ministers met in Sydney today with tourism industry leaders and the New Zealand Government. All Australian Ministers agreed that the tourism sector must benefit from all airlines and regional petrol sale outlets passing on oil price reductions in full. Ministers noted […]

4 Feb, 2015

Delta Under Fire for Alleged Discriminatory Treatment of Arab Passengers

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Washington, DC | www.adc.org | February 3, 2015 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is currently investigating an incident of discrimination against an Arab-American family on Delta Airlines.  ADC has received video footage of a Delta Airlines employee threatening to remove a Muslim family off the plane after they were victims of xenophobic harassment by another […]

3 Feb, 2015

Iranian Leader’s Open Message to European, US youth: Be very, very careful about spoonfed lies about Islam

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Tehran, IRNA, 21 January 2015 – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said in an open message to the young people of North America and Europe not to be taken in by the widespread attempts to tarnish the image of Islam and instead to do some serious study and research of the truth. […]

27 Jan, 2015

Political crisis saw Thai hotels take 11% occupancy hit in 2014

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SINGAPORE, 26 January 2015, (STR Media release) —A recovery that began to emerge late in the third quarter of 2014 couldn’t help Thailand’s hotel industry overcome a dismal first half of the year as the industry reported a year-over-year occupancy decline of 11.3 percent. The country’s occupancy drop was primarily driven by Bangkok’s hotels, which […]

27 Jan, 2015

MasterCard Travel Survey Pinpoints Interesting ASEAN Consumer Trends, Preferences

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Singapore, 26 January 2015 (MasterCard media release) – 80% of Southeast Asian travelers who went overseas last year, plan to holiday abroad the same or more this year, according to the MasterCard Consumer Purchasing Priorities survey. In Southeast Asia, Singapore residents display the most desire to travel internationally in the next 12 months, with 87% […]

26 Jan, 2015

Israeli Occupation forces demolish Palestinian bedouin homes, sheds in Jerusalem Village

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JERUSALEM, January 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday demolished Palestinian residential structures and sheds in Beit Iksa village to the northwest of Jerusalem, said a municipal source. Head of Beit Iksa Village Council Sa‘ada Khatib said that Israeli troops with military bulldozers proceeded to demolish residential structures and sheds belonging to Ad-Dahawiq Bedouin tribe. […]

25 Jan, 2015

Strengthening Yuan to increase Europe appeal for Chinese Spring Festival travellers

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(China Daily), 2015-01-24 – The yuan’s appreciation against the euro following the quantitative easing program launched in Europe on Thursday is poised to increase the continent’s popularity as a travel destination for Chinese. The European Central Bank launched a government bond-buying program on Thursday to address a prolonged period of low inflation. Together with existing […]

24 Jan, 2015

WEF Davos: ASEAN Leaders Confident that AEC Will Be Launched By End of Year

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Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 23 January 2015 (WEF media release) – Political and business leaders from ASEAN member states told participants at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that the ASEAN Economic Community, uniting 10 countries with over 600 million people in a common market, will be a reality by the end of 2015. “Some in […]

24 Jan, 2015

How China Will Steer its Economy: Full Text of Chinese Premier’s address at WEF in Davos

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DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum annual meeting here Wednesday. The following is the full text of Li’s address entitled: Uphold Peace and Stability, Advance Structural Reform and Generate New Momentum for Development Professor Klaus Schwab, President Simonetta Sommaruga, Distinguished Guests, […]

22 Jan, 2015

Palestinian Children Call for Construction of Seaport, Lifting Gaza Blockade

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GAZA, January 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinian children organized Wednesday a protest calling for the construction of Gaza seaport and lifting the blockade in Gaza city, reported Anadolu News Agency. Protestors took to the streets of Gaza city, urging the United Nations to assume its human and legal responsibilities toward the war-ravaged coastal […]

22 Jan, 2015

Thai public sector urged to follow King’s “Sufficiency Economy” concept in budgets

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Bangkok, Prime Minister’s secretariat, January 21, 2015 — Today, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, presided over an opening ceremony of a meeting to hand down policy on annual budgeting FY2016 to heads of government offices and state enterprises, as well as concerned agencies in order for all government offices to be on the same page […]

22 Jan, 2015

Mali: UN conference to examine conservation of Mali’s precious ancient manuscripts

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21.01.2015 – UNESCOPRESS – Nearly two years after armed groups occupied northern Mali and destroyed cultural heritage there, an international conference will take place in the capital, Bamako, from 28 to 30 January to examine the long-term conservation of the country’s invaluable ancient manuscript collection UNESCO’s Office in Bamako, Mali’s Ministry of Higher Education and […]

22 Jan, 2015

A “Dangerous Mistake” to Ignore Uncertainty, Swiss President Warns at WEF in Davos

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Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 21 January 2015 – Today’s global context is one of uncertainty, said Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Justice and Police. Uncertainty is prevalent in current conflicts and crisis regions as well as in the comparatively prosperous countries of Europe. “Overall, globalization has led to greater prosperity and reduced […]

22 Jan, 2015

FREE download: UNWTO Report on Shopping Tourism

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From new mall designs to new ways to harness technology, new value-added experiences to new marketing campaigns, travel & tourism destinations worldwide are working overtime to make shopping a full-fledged reason for travel, not just a side-benefit of it, according to a report by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Released in time for the […]

20 Jan, 2015

Labour Leaders stress at Davos 2015: The World Needs a New Business Model

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Brussels, 20 January 2015 (ITUC OnLine): The global economic system isn’t working for six billion people, warned labour leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Working people and their families need a new business model to stop the disintegration of democracies and economies. The world needs investment and jobs, said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary […]

20 Jan, 2015

China’s deputy tourism chief removed from post, under investigation

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BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) — Huo Ke, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration, has been removed from post for suspected “serious discipline and law violations.” The decision was made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee on Monday. The CPC’s discipline agency […]

20 Jan, 2015

Israel’s Freeze of Tax Revenues Devastating Palestinian Economy

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RAMALLAH, January 19, 2015 (WAFA) – ‏Palestinian Finance Minister, Shukri Bishara, Monday said that Israel’s illegal freeze of 70% of the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) income, in tax revenues, is a devastating blow to the Palestinian economy. He stressed that this Israeli punitive measure, which came in response to acceding to the International Criminal Court (ICC), […]

20 Jan, 2015

Arab Scientist Ibn Al-Haytham a focus of UNESCO’s Int’l Year of Light Exhibition

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Paris, UNESCO media release – The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) is delighted to welcome as Founding Partner the award-winning educational organization 1001 Inventions. British-based 1001 Inventions has the specific mission to raise awareness of the contributions to science, technology and culture from the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization, and will […]

20 Jan, 2015

Radical shift in agriculture critical to making future food systems more efficient – UN

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16 January 2015, Berlin (FAO media release) – Increasing competition for natural resource and emerging resource bottlenecks mean that global agriculture can no longer operate using a “business as usual” approach – the input-intensive agricultural development model used for the past 40 years is no longer sustainable, and a “paradigm shift” in food production is […]

17 Jan, 2015

Chinese commentary: Western bigotry, double-standards a “detonator” of global terrorism

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BEIJING, Jan. 17, (Xinhua) — Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine brutally attacked last week by Islamic extremists, once again published Wednesday its latest edition with a caricature of the Muslim prophet on its cover — a blasphemous move in the eyes of the Islamic world — which has triggered outcry and protests in many countries. […]

17 Jan, 2015

Asian source-markets lead as Thailand visitor arrivals end 2014 on a high note

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Bangkok – 16 January 2015 (TAT media release) – Strong recovery in visitor arrivals from China, India and the ASEAN countries played a major role in helping Thailand report an 11.76% upturn in total arrivals in December 2014. The figures indicated that a strong and sustained recovery in arrivals is well under way. TAT Governor Mr. Thawatchai […]

17 Jan, 2015

Millennials seek jobs in companies that want a better society, not just higher profits – Deloitte Survey

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NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Business should focus on people and purpose, not just products and profits in the 21st century according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited’s (Deloitte Global) fourth annual Millennial Survey released today. This and other findings from the survey suggest businesses, particularly in developed markets, will need to make significant changes to […]

17 Jan, 2015

Wrongly-detained Muslim wins 9/11 case against U.S. govt, gets “regrets” + compensation

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NEW YORK, January 16, 2015, (ACLU media release) – The American Civil Liberties Union announced a settlement in a major test case challenging the U.S. government’s post-9/11 practice of imprisoning Muslim men as material witnesses without any basis for holding them. As part of the settlement, the federal government offered its regrets and agreed to […]

17 Jan, 2015

STR Global Hotel Pipeline: 500,000+ rooms coming up in Asia-Pacific alone

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LONDON, 15 January 2015 (STR media releases) — The Asia Pacific region reported 2,390 hotels comprising 537,726 rooms Under Contract, according to the December 2014 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report. The Under Contract data includes projects in the In Construction, Final Planning and Planning stages but does not include projects in the Unconfirmed stage. Among […]

17 Jan, 2015

Chinese tourists abroad told to behave or face public shaming

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Beijing, (Ecns.cn), 2015-01-16 – China will establish a public record of Chinese tourists who behave badly in foreign countries, the Beijing Times reported on Friday. Methods to manage and record bad behavior by tourists will be formulated and carried out in collaboration with airlines, travel agencies and hotels, said Li Jinzao, the head of China’s […]

17 Jan, 2015

Top 12 tips for travelling in China

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Beijing, (bbs.chinadaily.com.cn). 2015-01-15 – China is a vast and culturally diverse country, which makes traveling in it for the first time incredibly daunting. China Daily Forum readers share some tips — from their experiences — to make newcomers’ lives a little easier. 1. Travel light. Most hotels in China provide toothbrushes/paste, soap, shampoo, etc. They […]

16 Jan, 2015

Waistbands Expand with Frequent Flyer Miles, and Other Insights into Consumption Habits of Travelers

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DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–January 13, 2015 — Today Omni Hotels & Resorts announced the results of a travel wellness survey of business and leisure travelers nationwide. The poll determined that, when it comes to dining and drinking habits, travelers’ waistbands often expand along with their frequent flyer miles. According to the results, an overwhelming number of respondents […]

16 Jan, 2015

Thailand Travel Mart 2015+ set for 3-5 June: Applications open for buyer-seller registration

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Bangkok, 12 January 2015 (TAT media release) – The Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+) 2015, the country’s largest annual B2B tourism and travel trade event, has been set for 3 – 5 June, 2015, and opened for early-bird registration by buyers and sellers. To be held at the […]

16 Jan, 2015

Silversea launches included shore excursions and wifi on Mediterranean cruises

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(Hong Kong — January 16, 2015) Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is kicking off 2015 with an enticing new program that includes shore excursions and WiFi. This program is available for new bookings made on or after January 15, 2015 on any of the line’s 52 Mediterranean cruises this year. “We’re delighted to enhance the value proposition […]

14 Jan, 2015

European Anti-Muslim Hysteria in Full Swing After Paris attacks

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Paris (IINA), 14 Jan 2015 – Firebombs and pig heads thrown into mosques. Veiled women subjected to crude insults in the street. The Internet awash with threats against Muslims. Europe’s Muslims are feeling the heat of a fierce backlash following last week’s terror attack against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. A climate of fear is taking […]

14 Jan, 2015

“The New Global Context” to be Theme of World Economic Forum caucus Jan 14-21

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Geneva, Switzerland, 14 January 2015 (WEF media release) – Over 40 heads of state and government, as well as 2,500 other leaders from business and society will convene at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, from 21 to 24 January 2015 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, to discuss The New Global Context. This context consists of […]

13 Jan, 2015

Identity Theft Resource Center Breach Report Hits Record High in 2014: 675 Million Records Exposed Since 2005

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. (PRWEB) January 12, 2015 – The number of U.S. data breaches tracked in 2014 hit a record high of 783 in 2014, according to a recent report released by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and sponsored by IDT911™. This represents a substantial hike of 27.5 percent over the number of breaches […]

13 Jan, 2015

More Curbs on Palestinian Travel: Israel Closes all Entrances to Nablus

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NABLUS, January 11, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces, early Sunday morning, closed all entrances to the town of Asira Ash-Shamaliya to the north of Nablus, according to a local official. Head of the town’s municipality, Nasir Jawabreh, told WAFA that Israeli soldiers in military vehicles arrived at dawn and closed all four entrances leading to […]

13 Jan, 2015

Jewish fanatic settlers chop down 150 olive saplings in West Bank

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SALFIT, January 12, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Sunday chopped down around 150 Palestinian-owned olive trees in the West Bank town of Yasuf, according to local sources. Gassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in the West Bank, said illegal Israeli settlers stormed the village of Yasuf and chopped down 150 newly planted olive saplings. Rabbis […]

13 Jan, 2015

New Australian online visa trial to increase numbers of Indian tourists

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Canberra, Minister of Trade and Investment Media release, 12 January 2015 — A new pilot program for online lodgement of subclass 600 visas for Indian business and tourism visitors will be rolled out through selected travel agents in India. Launching the pilot, Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb said “India is one of the […]

13 Jan, 2015

Spanish Foreign Minister Arrives in Ramallah, To Visit Gaza

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RAMALLAH, January 12, 2015 (WAFA) – Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo arrived in Ramallah on Monday in a Middle East tour to look into the situation in the Palestinian territories, with the Gaza Strip tour as the highlight of the regional visit. The Spanish delegation headed by Garcia-Margallo met with Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki and […]

13 Jan, 2015

UN study finds increase in corporate women managers, board members

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 12 January 2015 – The last 20 years has seen a surge in the number of women employed in senior and middle management positions, according to a new United Nations report, which notes that although all-male company boards are decreasing in number, more must be done to achieve gender parity. […]

11 Jan, 2015

China issues guidelines to manage crowd control at scenic spots

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Beijing, (CRIENGLISH.com)  2015-01-10 – Chinese tourism authorities have issued a set of guidelines on how to determine the maximum number of people that should be allowed in at popular scenic spots. The fresh guidelines were issued days after 36 people died in a stampede during a New Year event in Shanghai. The national Tourism Administration […]

10 Jan, 2015

China bans private cars from taxi-hailing market

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Beijing, (Xinhua), 2015-01-09 – BEIJING — China’s Ministry of Transport forbade private cars from taking passengers for profit using taxi-hailing apps after local authorities cracked down on unlicensed drivers using apps as camouflage. The ministry has ordered app developers to rule out private cars from their platforms to ensure that all vehicles are owned by […]

10 Jan, 2015

‘We need to find a way to live together,’ says UN chief in special plea for tolerance

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 8 January 2015 – Making an impassioned appeal for tolerance, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for understanding among all communities to heal the tensions within societies – a particularly poignant plea following yesterday’s horrific attack on the staff at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and in the face […]

10 Jan, 2015

“2015 can and must be time for global action,” Ban declares in briefing on U.N.’s priorities

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 8 January 2015 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon looked forward to a “year of opportunity,” as he briefed the 193-Member United Nations General Assembly on his priorities for 2015, and called for transformative global action that would ensure sustainable development and human dignity for all. “2015 is a chance for major […]

10 Jan, 2015

UN calls on Global Compact to help end poverty, transform lives, protect planet

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United Nations, (UN News Centre), 9 January 2015 – Addressing the United Nations Global Compact board meeting this afternoon, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said everyone held a stake in ending poverty, transforming people’s lives and protecting the planet. “We live in paradoxical times,” said Mr. Ban. “We see enormous wealth, technological progress and unprecedented opportunity on […]

8 Jan, 2015

Website Allows Women To Book The Ultimate Las Vegas Girls’ Getaway Experience

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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — VegasGirlsNightOut.com, Las Vegas’ first-of-its-kind boutique concierge service designed exclusively for women by women, today announced its official launch. The new online service will provide exclusive inside access to the Las Vegas party scene for the ultimate girls’ getaway. Through the support of live Las Vegas experts, VegasGirlsNightOut.com is […]

8 Jan, 2015

European Commission publishes TTIP legal texts as part of transparency commitment

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Brussels, 07 January 2015 (EU media release) – The European Commission today published a raft of texts setting outEU proposals for legal text in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) it is negotiating with the US. This is the first time the Commission has made public such proposals in bilateral trade talks and reflects […]

8 Jan, 2015

Israel bars FIFA delegation from entering Gaza

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GAZA, Jan 6 (NNN-WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities barred Monday a FIFA delegation entry into the Gaza Strip via Beit Hanoun – Erez – border crossing. WAFA correspondent reported that a throng of footballers from the Palestinian Soccer Union were waiting the FIFA delegation at the Palestinian side of the crossing. The delegation was supposed […]

8 Jan, 2015

More Chinese to travel overseas for Spring Festival

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2015-01-05 – About 60 percent of Chinese people who plan to spend the Spring Festival holiday on a trip chose to travel overseas, according to interviews and research by Beijing Daily. According to the newspaper’s data from major Chinese travel portals, including ctrip.com and ly.com, the number of bookings from Chinese tourists for […]

3 Jan, 2015

2014 one of Iraq’s bloodiest years as casualty rates soar, UN mission reports

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 2 January 2015 – Casualty figures for Iraq in 2014 were at their highest in over five years amid a spate of deadly violence which has been convulsing the country, the United Nations mission in the country reported today. According to the latest figures issued by the UN Assistance Mission […]

3 Jan, 2015

Chinese commentary: Why the US recovery will create problems for emerging economies

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) – December 30, 2014 — It is reported that US GDP in the third quarter rose by an annualized rate of 5%, the fastest rate of growth recorded since 2011. The rebound is above expectations – a 5% increase is historically unusual, especially for an economy as big as the US. […]

3 Jan, 2015

Macao casinos see their worst year

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Macao, (China Daily) 2015-01-03 – Macao, the gambling capital of the world, saw its annual casino revenues decline for the first time in 2014 data released on Friday, as the Chinese government’s corruption crackdown ended a decade of booming growth for the industry. The release of special administrative region data showed gaming revenues falling by […]

3 Jan, 2015

14,952 Jews Broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque in 2014

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JERUSALEM, January 1, 2015 (WAFA) – Al-Aqsa Association for the Waqf and Heritage said that around 14,952 Israelis, including Jewish settlers, police, ministers and members of Knesset stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the year 2014. The association reported in a statistical report prepared with the help of witnesses staying daily in Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, the 14,952 […]

3 Jan, 2015

86 Jewish Attacks on Religious Islamic, Christian Sites in 2014

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JERUSALEM, January 1, 2015 (WAFA) – Al-Aqsa Association for Waqf and Heritage reported that Israel had carried out around 86 assaults and violations of Islamic and Christian Palestinian sites in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem in 2014. It said in a report published on Wednesday that about 30 cases of assault on mosques, 21 […]

3 Jan, 2015

Australian Grand Mufti Criticizes Anti-Palestine Vote at UN

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SYDNEY, January 1, 2015 (WAFA) – The Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohammed Thursday criticized his country’s decision to vote against the Palestinian draft resolution, submitted to the United Nations Security Council to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory by the end of 2017. A statement issued by the Mufti’s office warned […]