18 Nov, 2014

New Yorkers to Protest Israeli “Cultural Ambassador” Idan Raichel

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NEW YORK, November 17, 2014 (WAFA) – On the evening of Tuesday, November 18, New York human rights advocates will gather for a music- and dance-filled protest of Israeli musician Idan Raichel, who will perform at Symphony Space with Vieux Farka Touré. Raichel is a self-proclaimed cultural ambassador for the state of Israel, and upon […]

16 Nov, 2014

Ayutthaya makes list of 16 Greatest Cities In Human History

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AYUTTHAYA, 15 November 2014 (NNT) – Ayutthaya has been selected as one of the Greatest Cities in Human History in a ranking compiled by businessinsider.com, according to an official. According to the deputy governor of Ayutthaya Weerawut Putraserani, Ayutthya has been listed as the 13th of the 16 Greatest Cities in Human History by businessinsider.com. […]

16 Nov, 2014

DOCOMO launches 10-language Translation App for Travelers to Japan

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Tokyo, Nov 6, 2014 – (JCN Newswire) – NTT DOCOMO, INC., a personalized mobile solutions provider for smarter living, announced today it will launch its Jspeak face-to-face mobile translation service for smartphones and tablets, targeting travelers from abroad, on November 10. Jspeak is modelled on DOCOMO’s Hanashite Hon’yaku, the mobile-based automatic translation service now offered […]

16 Nov, 2014

Health & Wellness: Regular consumption of nuts cuts by 29% chances of death by cardiac disease

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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Nov 11, 2014 – (ACN Newswire) – Consuming nuts regularly reduces by 29% the chances of death by cardiovascular disease. This is one of the main conclusions presented in the III World Congress of Public Health Nutrition, which is being held in Las Palmas until the 14th of […]

16 Nov, 2014

Hitachi Unveils Train for the UK Intercity Express Programme

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Tokyo, Nov 13, 2014 – (JCN Newswire) – Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, “Hitachi”) announced today that it has unveiled one of the trains being manufactured for the UK Department for Transport’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP), the order for which was received in July 2012. The new trains are scheduled to be completed by the end of […]

16 Nov, 2014

Sanctions on Russia: Europe’s loss, Thailand’s gain

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November 12, 2014, at 2230hrs (local time), Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, had a bilateral talk with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation during his attendance at the 25th ASEAN Summit in Naypyidaw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Capt. Yongyuth Mayalarp, M.D., Government Spokesperson, revealed gist of the meeting as follows: The […]

13 Nov, 2014

Int’l Trade Union Confederation: Secretive TPP Trade Talks Must Stop

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Brussels, 11 November 2014 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has called on governments to stop negotiations on the “Trans-Pacific Partnership” agreement, criticising the secrecy and corporate bias in the current negotiations. Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said “This secretive trade deal is good for some multinational corporations, but deeply damaging to ordinary people and the very […]

13 Nov, 2014

NY Activists Plan Protest against Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company in Brooklyn

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NEW YORK, November 12, 2014 (WAFA) – Adalah-NY and other human rights activists will hold a protest on Wednesday evening in front of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) against the U.S. premiere of Israeli Batsheva Dance Company’s ‘Sadeh21”, for its complicity in Israel’s violations of international law and refusal to take a stand against […]

13 Nov, 2014

Jewish fanatics attack Palestinian mosque, homes, factory

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RAMALLAH, November 12, 2014 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers at dawn Wednesday broke into the village of Mughayir, northeast of Ramallah, and set a mosque on fire, completely burning the first floor, according to local sources. The sources said that locals noticed fire at the mosque during the pre-dawn hours and rushed to help put it […]

13 Nov, 2014

Israel installing Electronic Gates at Entrances to Al-Aqsa Mosque

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JERUSALEM, November 12, 2014 – (WAFA) – The council of Islamic Waqf and the Supreme Muslim Council (SMC) warned Wednesday against Israel’s plans to install electronic gates at the entrances leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in Jerusalem. The councils warned against a plan devised by the Israeli Internal Security Ministry to install e-gates at the […]

12 Nov, 2014

Xi: APEC economies to launch Free Trade Area process

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(Xinhua) BEIJING – 2014-11-11: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members’ endorsement of a roadmap for promoting the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) process was “a decision to be written into history books”, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday. The move was “a historic step we took in the direction towards realizing the […]

11 Nov, 2014

Pork tapeworm infection a leading cause of epilepsy – UN health agency

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 10 November 2014 – The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today said neurocysticercosis – transmitted after consuming undercooked pork or water contaminated by tapeworm eggs – is “the most frequent preventable cause of epilepsy in the developing world.” WHO explained that taeniasis is the intestinal infection of the adult […]

11 Nov, 2014

China, U.S. to extend validity of business, tourist and student visas

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BEIJING, Nov. 10, (Xinhua) — China and the United States will grant each other’s citizens a business or tourist visa with multiple entries and the maximum validity of ten years, China’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday. The student visa will also be extended to five years of validity at most with multiple entries, said Qin Gang, […]

8 Nov, 2014

ASEAN travel industry invited to event marking solidarity with Palestinian people at UNHQ in Bangkok

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Bangkok – Travel industry personnel and executives from around the ASEAN region are invited to attend a special event being organised at the United Nations regional headquarters in Bangkok to mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people on Tuesday 25th November 2014.  To be held between 9 am – 12 noon, […]

7 Nov, 2014

APEC report: Services sector potential engine of Asia-Pacific growth

By Cai Muyuan

Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-11-06 -Services sector is an important potential engine for growth in the Asia-Pacific, said Dr Denis Hew, Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, during a news briefing at the APEC International Media Center in Beijing on Thursday. The latest APEC Economic Trends Analysis Report in which key economic trends and outlook are […]

7 Nov, 2014

‘Ageing well must be global priority’, warns UN health agency

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 6 November 2014 – The United Nations health agency warned today that as the world population aged 60 or older will jump from some 800 million to 2 billion in the next four decades, soaring levels of chronic illness and diminished wellbeing are poised to become a major global public […]

7 Nov, 2014

Pew Research: Crime, Corruption Top Problems in Emerging and Developing Countries

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Pew Research Centre News Release, 05 Nov 2014 — Crime and corruption, common scourges of modern societies, top the list of problems cited by publics in emerging and developing nations, according to the findings of a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted in 34 countries among 38,620 respondents from March 17 to June […]

7 Nov, 2014

Water central to global peace, development, UN deputy chief tells London summit

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London, UN News Centre, 6 November 2014 – The most basic of all human rights – water – is also a central element in global affairs and the development agenda with wide implications on international peace and security, the Deputy Secretary-General told participants today the World Water Summit held in London. “Around today’s world, we […]

7 Nov, 2014

South Pacific islands tourism chiefs: Expect more projects in 2015

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Wednesday, 05 November 2014, (source: SPTO press release) – Expect tourism projects that focus on more assistance and development support for tourism operators in the Pacific Island region. These were the words of the Chief Executive of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation Ilisoni Vuidreketi at the end of the 24th Council of Ministers of Tourism […]

7 Nov, 2014

China to speed up construction of new Silk Road: Xi

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BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) — China will accelerate the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and strengthen cooperation with the countries involved, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced. “We should prepare timetables and road maps for the coming years for the ‘One Belt and One Road’ project,” Xi […]

6 Nov, 2014

More than 40% of China’s arable land degraded: report

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Beijing, (Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-11-05 – More than 40% of China’s arable land is suffering from degradation, seriously reducing the country’s capacity to produce food for the world’s biggest population, Xinhua reported Tuesday. The rich black soil in Northeastern Heilongjiang province, which forms part of China’s bread basket, is thinning, while farmland in China’s south is suffering […]

6 Nov, 2014

Xinhua Insight: Key water diversion project arouses impact fears

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WUHAN, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) — The first phase of the middle route for China’s South-to-North Water Diversion project will soon begin operation, transferring water from the Hanjiang River to thirsty cities in north China. The middle diversion route plans an initial yearly transfer of 9.5 billion cubic meters of water to Beijing, Tianjin, Henan and […]

6 Nov, 2014

Indonesia to waive visa requirements for five countries

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The Jakarta Post, Jakarta November 05 2014 – The government will waive visa requirements for the citizens of several countries in a bid to attract 20 million tourists by 2020. “Based on the coordination meeting result, there will be five countries; Australia, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, which are to be granted visa-free access […]

5 Nov, 2014

IDC Reveals Top Ten Retail Predictions for 2015

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FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–November 04, 2014 — IDC Retail Insights today hosted a Web conference, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Retail Agenda 2015 Predictions, to highlight the predictions based on the IDC FutureScape report. The session provided organizations with insight and perspective on long-term industry trends along with new themes that may be on the horizon. The Predictions […]

5 Nov, 2014

As apps proliferate, IRU seeks level playing field for taxi services

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Brussels, IRU Press release, 5 November 2014 –  – As the new European Commission (EC) takes office, the European taxi industry appeals to the Commissioners in charge of transport, tourism, digital innovation and the internal market, to consider the central role of taxis in any mobility policy proposals, collective transport funding, research, and notably, urban […]

5 Nov, 2014

Tourism project to reproduce scenes from Chinese Nobel winner Mo Yan’s novel

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2014-11-04 — Two years after Chinese writer Mo Yan won the Nobel prize for literature, his novel Red Sorghum has been adapted into a popular TV series. His hometown, Gaomi in Shandong province, is building a tourist destination for the public to better understand the writer and his works. According to Chengdu Business […]

5 Nov, 2014

Cultural identity of ancient Chinese town endangered by tourism

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(Xinhua), November 04, 2014 –  The local customs and cultural heritage of the ancient town of Pingyao in Shanxi Province is under threat due to the rapid development of tourism. In the 17 years since the 2,700-year-old town was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, it has seen tourism develop at a meteoric pace, with […]

5 Nov, 2014

AHLEI Awards Certified Guest Service Property Designation to Eleven Hotels in Palestine

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Orlando, Florida, November 2014—The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) has awarded 11 hotels in Palestine with the designation of Certified Guest Service Property. To achieve this certification, the properties had to train with AHLEI’s Guest Service Gold® training program and certify all front-line staff as Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP®). Diyafa Hospitality Management […]

5 Nov, 2014

309 Human Rights Groups Call on EU to Hold Israel Accountable for War Crimes

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BRUSSELS, November 4, 2014 (WAFA) – More than 300 human rights groups, trade unions and political parties from across Europe called on the EU to hold Israel accountable for its massacre committed in Gaza earlier this year by suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the main treaty between the EU and Israel. “Through the continued existence of […]

4 Nov, 2014

European Union: More than 120 million at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2013

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Brussels, (04 Nov 2014) European Commission media release — In 2013, 122.6 million people, or 24.5% of the population, in the EU(1) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This means that these people were in at least one of the following three conditions: at-risk-of-poverty after social transfers (2) (income poverty), severely materially deprived […]

2 Nov, 2014

Yangtze River Economic Belt to Boost Liangjiang as Int’l Logistics Hub

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CHONGQING, China, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The State Council recently released its Yangtze River economic belt plan in a bid to develop it into an inland river economic belt with a global economic influence. According to the plan, Chongqing has been named as one of the three major shipping centers in China, which will […]

2 Nov, 2014

Alibaba: Trading volume to exceed Walmart in two years

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HANGZHOU, (Xinhua) 2014-11-01 — China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba said Thursday its online sales volume will exceed the worldwide sales of global retail giant Walmart in two years. “Within two years, the online retail volume of Alibaba will exceed the sales of Walmart,” said Alibaba’s president Jin Jianhang at a global e-commerce summit in East China’s Hangzhou […]

2 Nov, 2014

China amends law to support citizens suing government

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BEIJING, Nov. 1, (Xinhua) — China’s top legislature adopted an amendment to the Administrative Procedure Law Saturday, aiming to expand the people’s right to sue the government. Members of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) passed the amendment through a vote at the close of the week-long, bi-monthly legislative session, saying it […]

2 Nov, 2014

Foreign spies targetted as China passes Counterespionage Law

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BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) — China’s top legislature adopted an Counterespionage Law Saturday aimed at more comprehensive state security. Members of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) passed the bill through a vote at the close of the bi-monthly legislative session attended by top legislator Zhang Dejiang. Formerly known as the National […]

2 Nov, 2014

New Indonesian Tourism Minister to Stress Infrastructure, ICT, Health and Hygiene

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Jakarta (www.tourismindonesia.com) October 31, 2014 – The newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, speaking to tourism officials and stakeholders at the recent handing over ceremony said that the three key factors in developing and promoting tourism are : Infrastructure, ICT and Health and Hygiene. Of the three, the factor that can and should be undertaken immediately is […]

2 Nov, 2014

Child Protection NGO Unveils Toolkit to End Google’s “Forced Friending”

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Parents beware: A reckless “forced friending” policy facilitated by the tech-giant Google puts your family at risk. Today, Stop Child Predators (SCP) – an organization dedicated to protecting children from sexual predators – has released a toolkit to help parents ensure their children’s safety. The kit includes a video […]

1 Nov, 2014

Tourist destinations in China to reduce prices from Nov

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2014-10-29 – Most scenic spots in China will start lowering their ticket price during the off-peak season, which usually lasts from November to March. Compared with the peak season, the start of low season will see prices of admission tickets drop by 20 to 30 percent on average, with some major attractions offering […]

1 Nov, 2014

Global Trades Union Blasts Israeli Settlement Expansion, Calls for Full Recognition of Palestine

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Brussels, 29 October 2014 (ITUC OnLine):  The International Trade Union Confederation has condemned Israel’s intention to build yet another 1,000 settlement dwellings in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.  The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 161 countries and territories and has 324 national affiliates. Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said, “Binyamin Netanyahu’s government […]

1 Nov, 2014

Survey: Qingdao ranks 1st and Beijing 9th for tourists’ satisfaction

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Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-10-30 — A report published by China Tourism Academy showed that Qingdao scored highest for tourists’ satisfaction during the third quarter of 2014, among 60 major tourism cities in China being surveyed. Qingdao, the coastal city in East China’s Shandong province, scored 81.19 on a scale of 0 to 100. The assessment was […]

29 Oct, 2014

UN experts call for stronger global regulation of private security companies

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 27 October 2014 – The United Nations working group on the use of mercenaries today appealed for stronger global regulations of private security, saying last week’s conviction of Blackwater contractors shows the need for all private security personnel to be held accountable for international human rights and humanitarian law violations. […]

29 Oct, 2014

‘Immediate action’ needed to protect Palestinian olive farmers from Israeli attacks – UN expert

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 22 October 2014 – Nearly half of all cultivated land in the occupied Palestinian Territories is planted with olive trees making them a major driving force of the economy, said a senior United Nations official today as he travelled to two Palestinian olive-producing communities in the central West Bank. “The […]

29 Oct, 2014

UN agencies launch initiative to curb “unacceptably high” global food waste

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United Nations, 24 October 2014 (UN News Centre) – The world wastes enough food to feed an estimated two billion people, the United Nations said today as its three Rome-based food agencies announced the launch of a digital platform designed to take aim at the growing problem of “food loss.” The new online programme, called […]

26 Oct, 2014

UN Study: Israeli Gaza Onslaught Significantly Impacted Women’s Reproductive Health

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RAMALLAH, October 18, 2014 – (WAFA) – A recent UN study revealed that the Israeli onslaught on Gaza has significantly impacted women’s reproductive health. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) conducted a study titled Assessment of Impact of the Crisis in Gaza on Reproductive […]

26 Oct, 2014

Australian consumer watchdog group warning on how to avoid booking a scammer’s holiday

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Canberra, 17 October 2014 – The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning consumers to watch out for travel scams. The ACCC has received 1,650 complaints about travel scams this year, with $100,000 reported lost. Most complainants were contacted by phone and many were offered holiday vouchers for $2,000 or $3,000. Others were sold fake […]

26 Oct, 2014

New Global Management Accounting Principles Released to Drive Better Organisational Decision Making

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Hong Kong, Oct 23, 2014 – (ACN Newswire) – The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) – two of the world’s largest accountancy bodies – yesterday released new Global Management Accounting Principles to improve decision-making as organisations struggle with data overload, dispersed workforces and the blistering speed of […]

25 Oct, 2014

UNWTO flags economic inequality, geopolitical tensions, conflicts as top global challenges

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Madrid – Every 24 October, UN Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the United Nations United Nations while recalling the immense challenges that remain pending on the international agenda. UNWTO, the only United Nations agency with its permanent headquarters in Spain, celebrated the occasion together with the 13 other UN entities in […]

25 Oct, 2014

Jewish fanatics block Palestinians’ access to their own olive groves

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JERUSALEM, October 23, 2014 (WAFA) – The ongoing Israeli settlers’ violence and the access restrictions imposed by Israel on Palestinians with regards to accessing their olive groves, continue to negatively impact their lives and livelihoods, said UN Humanitarian Coordinator James Rawley on Thursday. Community representatives and olive farmers in the towns of al-Janiya in the […]

24 Oct, 2014

India launches a National Portal for Museums

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New Delhi, 21-October-2014, (Press Information Bureau) – Mr  Shripad Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Culture and Tourism today launched the National Portal for Museums www.museumsofindia.gov.in. The Ministry of Culture has decided to digitize the collections of all the Museums under its control as well as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). In the first […]

24 Oct, 2014

Summit identifies five trends that will shape the Asian MICE sector

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BANGKOK, Oct. 23, 2014, /PRNewsire/ — Panellists and delegates attending the 7th Asia for Asia Summit on 30 September 2014 in Bangkok agreed in consensus on five key trends identified as crucial to success in the business events arena in Asia, ranging from ever-increasing demands on business results and sustainability to transformational technology and strategic partnerships. […]

24 Oct, 2014

Right to online privacy at risk as governments engage in mass surveillance – UN expert

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 23 October 2014 – States must be transparent about the nature of their electronic mass surveillance programmes, an independent United Nations counter-terrorism expert said today as he warned about the impact such measures might have on individuals’ right to privacy. “States need to squarely confront the fact that mass surveillance […]

21 Oct, 2014

FREE Download: Global Study finds religion is NOT the main cause of conflict today

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New York & Sydney, 21 October 2014: Despite the connections between Islamic extremism and the current conflicts in the Middle East, there is no general causal relationship between religion and conflict, according to a new research report released today by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The report answers five questions based on recent global […]

21 Oct, 2014

Hangzhou offers 72-hour visa-free stays

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HANGZHOU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) — East China’s Hangzhou City began to offer 72-hour visa-free entry for international transit passengers on Monday, a move to boost tourism and business. The policy covers travelers from 51 countries, including the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Japan. They can enjoy a 72-hour stay in Zhejiang Province after entering […]

21 Oct, 2014

First UN-backed study probes how global film industry portrays women (Conclusion: not very well)

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 22 September 2014 – Nowhere to be “scene,” women protagonists have less than one-third of all speaking roles in film and are largely absent from powerful positions, according to a United Nations-backed survey released today which argues for the involvement of more female film-makers in the industry, and for greater […]

20 Oct, 2014

Honeywell Forecasts 4% Average Annual Industry Growth in Business Jets Over Next Decade

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ORLANDO, Oct. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In its 23rd annual Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell is forecasting up to 9,450 new business jet deliveries worth $280 billion from 2014 to 2024. The 2014 Honeywell outlook reflects an approximate 7 to 8 percent increase in projected delivery value over the 2013 forecast. Slightly higher unit deliveries are coupled […]

20 Oct, 2014

American Express to Boost Merchant Adoption of Secure Payment Terminals

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 17, 2014  – American Express is boosting efforts to combat fraud with a new $10 million program aimed at driving U.S. small-merchant adoption of more secure check-out terminals. President Barack Obama announced American Express’ Small Merchant EMV Assistance Program during a press conference today in Washington, D.C., urging members of the payments […]

19 Oct, 2014

Doctors of the World Help Restore Health Services Destroyed by Israel in Gaza

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London, 3 October, 2014 | by Doctors of the World UK – The media agenda may have shifted away from this decimated strip of land since the most recent conflict ended here, but Doctors of the World has continued to help Gazans to rebuild their health system, and most importantly, themselves. The 50-day-long Israeli military […]

19 Oct, 2014

U.S. Fed Chief warns of growing wealth gap, conflict with U.S. values | The Japan Times

WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen warned Friday that the gap between the rich and poor in the United States is widening and is near the highest levels in 100 years. In a speech at a conference on inequality in Boston, Yellen did not mention monetary policy or the current turmoil in financial markets. […]

19 Oct, 2014

New Facebook Safety Check tool for disaster response makes travel advisories irrelevant

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WASHINGTON, Oct 18, 2014,  AFP-JIJI – Facebook has unveiled a Safety Check tool to allow users to alert friends and family about their status in emergencies, a system developed after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastated northeast Japan. “We want to provide a helpful tool that people can use when major disasters strike, so we’ve created […]

16 Oct, 2014

On World Food Day, UN lauds role of family farmers in ending global hunger

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16 October 2014 – With over 800 million people worldwide still lacking access to healthy, nutritious food, family farmers must play an increasingly vital role in the global war on hunger, United Nations officials affirmed today, adding that the strong participation of the world’s family farmers can help “turn the tide” in shaping a new […]

16 Oct, 2014

Chinese commentary: How long can HK keep on squandering?

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(People’s Daily Online), October 15, 2014 – After one unreasonable demand after another, after every new incident of tedious political wrangling provoked by pan-democratic camps like the Civil Party, Hong Kong – a district which once surpassed the mainland in efficiency and ranked among the strongest in the world – is losing ground. Now beginning […]

16 Oct, 2014

Jordanian Who Teaches Women To Defend Themselves Wins UNCTAD Women In Business Award

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Geneva, 15 October 2014, UNCTAD media release – The founder of SheFighter, a company that trains women in Jordan in self-defence techniques, Lina Jalil Khalifeh, has won the first place in UNCTAD’s Empretec Women in Business Awards. The awards honour businesswomen from developing countries who have founded successful firms, created jobs, and become role models […]

16 Oct, 2014

NextGen Warfare Will See Machines Taking ‘Life-and-Death’ Decisions, UN Committee hears

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United Nations, 14 October 2014, (UN Department of Public Information) – The development of new technologies of warfare, including autonomous weapons or ”killer robots” and cyberwarfare, raised fundamental concerns about the acceptability of allowing machines to independently take life-and-death decisions, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today. As States and observers from diverse […]

16 Oct, 2014

Total NHS alcohol-related admissions in England nears 10 million

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London, (Alcohol Concern media release), 15 October 2014 -A new map of alcohol harm published today has shown that the total number of alcohol-related NHS admissions, including inpatient, outpatient and A&E visits, hit almost 10 million in England during 2012-13. The findings, taken from Alcohol Concern’s newly updated Alcohol Harm Map, show that whilst A&E […]

16 Oct, 2014

China to build first luxury cruise ship

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BEIJING, Oct. 15  — (Xinhua)  – The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) will form a joint venture with American cruise company Carnival Corp to build China’s first luxury cruise ship. The move will accelerate development of the country’s cruise industry and foster new growth points of the Chinese economy which is experiencing a slowdown, said […]

15 Oct, 2014

Thailand launches campaign to promote family-friendly destinations

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Bangkok, National News Bureau of Thailand, 15 Oct 2014 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is launching a new campaign to promote family-friendly destinations in the country in a bid to boost the economy. TAT Director of Product Promotion Pataraporn Sithivanich said recognizing the importance of family units in the tourism sector, the body […]

15 Oct, 2014

FREE Download: American Express Meetings & Events 2015 Global Forecast

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 13, 2014 – According to the American Express Meetings & Events 2015 Global Meetings Forecast, meetings are expected to play a critical role in a return to business fundamentals in 2015, a trend which should help drive the long-term health of the industry. Following a period of economic recovery for the meetings […]

14 Oct, 2014

FREE Download: Australia Issues Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material

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The Australian Best Practice Guide to Collecting Cultural Material outlines principles and standards to assist Australia’s public collecting institutions when acquiring cultural material by purchase, gift, bequest or exchange. The guide outlines ethical considerations and legal obligations that apply to collecting institutions and provides guidance on transparency and accountability measures. Sections of the guide may […]

14 Oct, 2014

Thai province plans to boost English, Lao language skills to prepare for ASEAN Community

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UTTARADIT, 13 October 2014 (NNT) – Director of Uttaradit Primary Education Service Area 1 Amornsak Pinthong has indicated that the office will spend the allocation from the 2015 educational budget on preparing school executives and students for the upcoming ASEAN Community by giving them knowledge and understanding about the new regional bloc. Under the policy, […]

14 Oct, 2014

Thailand to push for practical sufficiency economy in rural development

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BANGKOK, 12 Ict 2014, (NNT) – The Thai Government is preparing to initially implement His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy in 18,000 villages nationwide, as part of its plan to develop the livelihood of the citizens. According to Prime Minister’s Office Deputy Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will today meet […]

14 Oct, 2014

Thai province Phrae becomes No.1 in living by five Buddhist precepts

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PHRAE, 13 October 2014 (NNT) — Phrae has become Thailand’s number one province in terms of practitioners of the five precepts village program, said official. Acting Deputy Governor of Phrae province Somwang Puangbangpho, announced at the granting ceremony of a five precepts village sign today, that Phrae province now has the greatest number of practitioners […]

14 Oct, 2014

EU countries should remove visa barriers for Chinese visitors

By Fu Jing

Beijing, (China Daily) 2014-10-13 – But the reality is that China needs the barriers removed and the doors to be opened first before such discussions can produce results. Li has been making efforts to accomplish this country by country. Some may ask: Why do some European countries hesitate to remove visa barriers against Chinese investors? […]

13 Oct, 2014

Global sports industry touches down in Seoul

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Seoul, Oct 10, 2014, Korea.net — Experts from the global sports industry gathered in Seoul on October 7 for the second annual Sports Industry Conference 2014, a special event aimed at exchanging information and ideas about how to make a difference in the current sports industry environment and how to further boost the industry. Held […]

13 Oct, 2014

Chinese vacationers fly to Korea for Golden Week shopping spree

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Seoul, Oct 10, 2014, Korea.net – Many Chinese tourists flew to Korea to go on a shopping spree during mainland China’s golden-week of national holidays from October 1 to 7. Where on earth did the Chinese shoppers — commonly known in Korean as youkers — go to do their shopping? What, exactly, did they purchase? […]

12 Oct, 2014

China an important driving force for world economic recovery: Chinese PM tells Europe

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HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 11 –(Xinhua) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Saturday that China is still an important driving force for world economic recovery, which would also benefit economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe. There will not be a hard landing for the Chinese economy, Li said in a keynote speech at […]

12 Oct, 2014

Fanatic Jewish Settlers Assault Palestinian Olive Harvesters

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SALFIT, October 11, 2014 – (WAFA) – Israeli settlers assaulted Saturday Palestinian olive harvesters in Yasuf to the northeast of Salfit, said local witnesses. Seven settlers descended from the illegal Israeli settlement of Tafuh, built on land seized from the villagers, and assaulted several Palestinian farmers while they were harvesting their olive trees in Khallet al-‘Ayn area. Settlers brutally […]

12 Oct, 2014

Xinhua Insight: China’s corruption crackdown expands into academia

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BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — The arrest of four professors has raised public concern over corruption in China’s scientific research system. The four were arrested for misappropriation of state research funds through false research projects, the anti-corruption watchdog said Friday. Li Ning, a professor at the Chinese University of Agriculture and member of the elite […]

12 Oct, 2014

VICTORY: U.S. Govt Officially Takes 7 ACLU Clients Off the No-Fly List

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PORTLAND, Ore., October 10, 2014, (ACLU media release) – Following a court order, the government today notified seven people who were on the No Fly List that they are cleared to fly. The six men and one woman are part of an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed in 2010 on behalf of 13 Americans challenging their inclusion […]

12 Oct, 2014

U.S. Cosmetic Surgeries Double in Past 12 Years – Study

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Chicago (PRWEB) October 11, 2014 – Despite the economic downturn of the early 2000s, cosmetic surgery grew from 2000 to 2012, in large part due to an increasing volume of minimally invasive procedures, including injectables. This growth, though not without appreciable deceleration at the low point of the recession, approximately doubled the volume of cosmetic […]

11 Oct, 2014

Business “provocateurs” told: Good disruptors should take being called “crazy” as a compliment

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 09, 2014 – Successful leaders today must abandon old schools of thought and change course at any given moment in an increasingly disruptive business world, according to the world’s top thought leaders at this year’s World Business Forum. WOBI, the leader in management and leadership conferences, gathered 3,000 executives from 55 countries […]

11 Oct, 2014

Tourism, advertising ‘least trusted’ industries in China: survey

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Beijing, People’s Daily Online, 2014-10-09 – Although the Chinese people’s trust in society has improved, there are certain industries that have a long way to, a new survey shows. The third China Social Psychology Research Report, released Wednesday by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, shows a general improvement in social trust, especially in government […]

11 Oct, 2014

Job Security Concerns Surging in U.S. Military Families, First Command Reports

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FORT WORTH, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 09, 2014  – America’s career military is growing increasingly anxious about how defense downsizing and sequestration will impact their near-term job security. The First Command Financial Behaviors Index® reveals that 50 percent of middle-class military families (senior NCOs and commissioned officers in pay grades E-6 and above with household incomes of […]

11 Oct, 2014

Report: Investment in Training Affects Hospitality Industry’s Bottom Line

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WESTFIELD, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 09, 2014 — Investing in training is important to hospitality organizations and restaurant and lodging companies’ bottom lines, says a new report released by the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) and People Report, a TDn2K company. The report, 2014 Trends in Hospitality Training & Development Study, serves as a benchmark […]

11 Oct, 2014

Major Labor Dispute Escalates in Las Vegas with Fourth Largest Casino Employer

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LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 09, 2014  – Today, clergy leaders and union casino workers from the Strip and Downtown will join Station Casinos workers in a march through Summerlin to Red Rock Casino Resort to demand that Station Casinos stop treating their employees like second-class workers. Station Casinos is the worst labor law violator in the […]

11 Oct, 2014

European Business and Community Leaders Launch Charter to Target Depression in the Workplace

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LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 09, 2014  – Today, business leaders from across Europe will meet to launch a Business Charter that aims to prevent the disabling effects of depression among employees and reduce the burden of depression on employers. More than 30 million people in Europe are affected by depression, most of whom are working age. The […]

10 Oct, 2014

Moral trade-offs are for the common good – Sydney Morning Herald

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By Ross Gittins, Sydney Morning Herald Economics Editor Biologists (and economists) have long stressed the importance of competition between us – survival of the fittest and all that – but it’s not hard to see that humans’ domination of the planet arises from our unmatched ability to co-operate with each other to overcome problems. So […]

9 Oct, 2014

Fitch: Hacking Epidemic Puts US Colleges and Universities at Risk

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 07, 2014 – Cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent at U.S. colleges and universities and media attention surrounding an attack poses reputational risk that could push down enrollment, according to Fitch Ratings. Smaller private institutions with less resources and more operating challenges may have weaker security systems in place and a less prepared […]

9 Oct, 2014

U.S. Survey: 62% of Kids Think Parents Too Distracted to Listen, Mobiles Main Culprit

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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A majority of kids (62 percent) say their parents are distracted when kids are trying to talk to them, according to Highlights magazine’s 2014 State of the Kid survey results, an annual survey that gives children ages 6 to 12 a national platform to share their thoughts and […]

8 Oct, 2014

Warning to Australian travellers of kidnapping risk

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The following media statement was released by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on 07 Oct 2014. I urge Australians to carefully consider their need to travel to locations where there is a high threat of kidnapping. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has reissued its kidnapping threat bulletin on locations around the world where […]

7 Oct, 2014

Britain, Ireland ink visa deal to benefit Chinese, Indian travelers

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LONDON/DUBLIN, (Xinhua) October 07, 2014 – Britain and Ireland on Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on visa cooperation to allow Chinese and Indian visitors to travel to the two island nations on a single visa. The landmark visa deal will help Britain and Ireland share data and exchange information to inform and determine immigration […]

7 Oct, 2014

FREE Download: Biodiversity report warns against ‘business as usual’ behaviour, consumption

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United Nations, UN News Centre, 6 October 2014 – The parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity began meeting today as a new United Nations report on the status of biodiversity warned that much more efficient use of land, water, energy and materials are needed to meet globally-agreed targets by 2020. “Bold and innovative action […]

7 Oct, 2014

Int’l Flight Training Center Opens for Business in Bangkok

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BANGKOK, Oct. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Pan Am International Flight Training Center, together with All Nippon Airways, Nok Air, and Assumption University, announced today the opening of a new world-class flight training center located on Assumption University’s Suvarnabhumi Campus in Bangkok, Thailand. Pan Am International Flight Training Center – Thailand will serve the training needs […]

7 Oct, 2014

Chinese insurance firm buys Waldorf Astoria New York for $1.95 Billion

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MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 06, 2014 – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. today announced it has entered into an agreement with Anbang Insurance Group Co. Ltd., under which the Beijing-based insurance company has agreed to purchase the Waldorf Astoria New York for $1.95 billion. As part of this long-term strategic partnership, Anbang will grant Hilton Worldwide a […]

7 Oct, 2014

Myanmar Launches Process for World Heritage Nomination of Bagan

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YANGON, 7 October 2014 (UNESCO media release)– Myanmar will launch the process to nominate Bagan to the UNESCO World Heritage List with an international consultation meeting to be held from 10-12 October 2014 in Bagan. The ancient archaeological site is at the top of the country’s priority list for future World Heritage nominations.  The meeting […]

2 Oct, 2014

Plastic waste causing US$13 billion damage to marine ecosystems annually

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Athens, 1 October 2014 (UN News Centre) – Leading scientists and policymakers meeting in Athens this week acknowledged that marine litter remained a “tremendous challenge” in almost all regions of the world, with significant socio-economic consequences and clear impacts on marine ecosystems. The three-day 16th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans […]

2 Oct, 2014

JCB to Launch the JCB Ultimate Card for Affluent Chinese

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Tokyo, Sept 30, 2014 – (ACN Newswire) – JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., is pleased to announce the launch of JCB Ultimate card, the highest-status JCB card in China, for the expanding market of affluent Chinese consumers. In mid-October, China CITIC Bank will start issuing the China […]

27 Sep, 2014

U.S. Immigrant Population Hits Record 41.3 Million

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A new report by the Center for Immigration Studies finds that nearly one in six adults in the U.S. is foreign-born. The report, based on newly released Census Bureau data, also found that the nation’s immigrant population (legal and illegal) grew by 1.4 million from July 2010 to July 2013. […]

27 Sep, 2014

Consumers Are Poor at Judging Probability: Stanford Graduate School of Business Research

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STANFORD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 24, 2014 – It’s a typical afternoon, which means that you’re on Facebook instead of doing whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing. You notice an ad from a company you follow — say, Chevrolet — offering you a chance to win a car if you sign up for a newsletter. […]

27 Sep, 2014

European Languages Survey: English, French, German Most Popular but Spanish Growing

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Brussels, (Eurostat News Release) – On the occasion of the European Day of Languages, celebrated each year on 26 September, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes data on language learning at school. The general objectives of this event are to alert the public to the importance of language learning, to promote the […]

27 Sep, 2014

Capgemini Report: Role of Social Media in Shopper Journeys Overhyped, Trust & Privacy Key Issues

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PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–September 25, 2014 – A global report by Capgemini, a provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, reveals that consumers consider social media a less important part of their customer journey – from awareness, through to post-sale activity – compared to two years ago, suggesting that the social media hype in the consumer goods […]

26 Sep, 2014

PURE Rooms Launches Booking Engine for Allergy Travel Hotels

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Buffalo, NY (PRWEB) September 16, 2014 — Health-conscious hotels looking to reach travelers online can now find an additional tool in the PURE Rooms website. PURE Rooms, which provides allergy travel accommodations at nearly 300 hotels nationwide, has recently launched a new booking engine that will enable travelers to reserve an allergy-friendly room at these […]