Author Archive
5 Sep, 2015
Swiss resort launches special train for Chinese tourists due to ‘cultural differences’ – The Independent
A special train for Chinese tourists has been launched at a mountain resort in Switzerland, following tensions over cultural differences. Swiss newspaper Blick reports that some tourists visiting Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps have become incensed with Chinese tourists crowding the corridors while taking pictures from the train. There are also reports of rudeness […]
more…5 Sep, 2015
Secondary destinations worldwide invited to apply for US$1 million PATA-TripAdvisor marketing competition
Bengaluru — Secondary and emerging cities and destinations worldwide are being invited to apply for a unique competition designed to demonstrate a link between their marketing campaigns and the economic and ecological advancement of their communities. The competition carries awards valued at US$1 million in additional marketing exposure. Initiated by the Pacific Asia Travel Association […]
more…5 Sep, 2015
Why the Israeli lobby is trying to derail the Iran nuclear deal
Tehran, Aug 29, IRNA – Iran and the Sextet of world powers clinched an agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on July 14 to solve a controversy over Iran’s nuclear program after 12 years of negotiations. The implementation of JCPOA needs a strong political determination on the part of both sides. […]
more…4 Sep, 2015
Pope Francis calls on wealthy, powerful to protect Earth
Vatican City, AFP, September 3, 2015 – Pope Francis has called on the rich and powerful to take care of Earth as he launched a day of global prayer ahead of key meetings on climate change. The pontiff, speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica, asked God to enlighten “those who hold power and money so that […]
more…2 Sep, 2015
BTC: Lufthansa Group’s Surcharge Could Cost The Airline Industry Billions of Euros
September 1, 2015 – Years ago there was a breed of airline executives who always spoke passionately about the need for industry-mindedness in decisions that affect other participants in the travel value chain, including the end customer. They were equally passionate about the value of travel agents, especially with respect to supporting complex corporate travel […]
more…1 Sep, 2015
The problem with Modi’s ‘Team India’ – The Hindu
In his speech, while introducing the concept of ‘Team India’, Mr. Modi made two points: one, that the country is “moving ahead” only because of ‘Team India’; two, that ‘Team India’ comprises our entire population of 125 crore people. The two statements are patently untrue and mutually contradictory. Not every Indian is equally involved in […]
more…31 Aug, 2015
China’s important contribution to WWII victory little known to Europeans: German ex-chancellor
BERLIN, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — China made a very important contribution to the victory in the World War II (WWII), which was little known to Europeans, former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has said. Schroeder is among dozens of foreign statesmen invited to witness the military parade of China to celebrate the WWII victory. The event […]
more…31 Aug, 2015
Guidebook planned in Japan to accommodate needs of Muslim tourists
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 31 August 2015 (16 Dhul Qa’dah 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…29 Aug, 2015
First “outsider” Governor at TAT cements era of new leadership for Thai tourism
Bangkok – The Tourism Authority of Thailand entered a new era with the appointment of a 49-year-old, Japanese-trained economist as its first “outsider” Governor. The appointment of Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn brings to an end a tradition of appointing people from within that has been the unwritten rule ever since the TAT was founded in 1960. […]
more…28 Aug, 2015
PATA Travel Mart Preview: As Confidence Returns, Bottom-line Improves
Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association is on track to convert a US$700,000 deficit in 2014 into a US$134,000 surplus this financial year, thanks to stronger membership growth, a surge in profitable events and sell-out PATA Travel Mart, PATA CEO Mario Hardy said last week. In a PTM preview interview, Mr. Hardy said the […]
more…28 Aug, 2015
China-Thailand Railway project gets green light
Bangkok, August 27, 2015, People’s Daily Online) – After many ups and downs, China has finally won the railway cooperation project with Thailand. Zhu Xijun, general manager of the Southeast Asia Company of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), said on Aug. 26 that after six rounds of negotiation, both sides plans to sign the inter-governmental […]
more…28 Aug, 2015
India’s population growth slowing for all; on sex ratio, Muslims better than Hindus | The Indian Express
The fertility rate is falling faster in Muslims than in Hindus. Data from the last three National Family Health Surveys (NHFS) show that the gap between Muslim and Hindu fertility rates is narrowing — the difference came down from 1.1 in NFHS 1 (1992-93) to 0.4 in NFHS 3 (2005-06). But the difference in fertility […]
more…26 Aug, 2015
Is U.S. Taxpayer Money Subsidizing Jewish Terrorism Against Arabs? – Haaretz
JTA – Taxpayer dollars in the United States and Israel are subsidizing Jewish terrorism against Arabs, a complaint filed with the New York state Attorney General’s Office alleges. The accusations follow a recent expose by Israel’s Channel 10 about the work of the 13-year-old Israeli nonprofit Honenu, which provides financial support to Jews convicted of […]
more…24 Aug, 2015
China’s business travel spending projected to surge by 15.6% this year
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-08-21 — Business travel spending in China is expected to grow by around 15.6 percent this year to about 126 billion yuan ($19.7 billion), making it the slowest growth in the last three years, said a new report. According to the 2015 Chinese business travel management report from iResearch Consulting Group, a […]
more…24 Aug, 2015
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare releases snapshot of Aussie lives
Is life getting better in Australia? Cabinet leaks and fake Twitter accounts aside, isn’t that what it’s all really about? As our politicians huffed and puffed about gay marriage and fear-mongered over Chinese workers, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its biennial (every two years) snapshot of the nation’s welfare this week. Its […]
more…23 Aug, 2015
Uzbekistan hosts Melodies of the East Music Festival
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 24 August 2015 (09 Dhul Qa’dah 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS 2015 […]
more…21 Aug, 2015
In Pictures: Multi-faith ceremony to mourn Bangkok bomb victims, pray for safety & security
Bangkok – A multi-faith ceremony comprising of representatives of Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism was held at 0700 hrs on Aug 21 to mourn the victims of the 17 Aug bomb blast which killed 21 innocent civilians and injured dozens more, most of them tourists. The ceremonies began at the Erawan shrine with prayers […]
more…20 Aug, 2015
Tobacco company wants schools survey for insights into children and teens
Sydney – A global tobacco giant is using freedom of information laws to obtain data from surveys by thousands of Victorian school children and teenagers that reveal their attitudes to smoking and alcohol. Public health advocates believe “Big Tobacco” may use the data to hone their marketing of cigarettes to teenagers, as well as to […]
more…20 Aug, 2015
Malayalam gets global push, new status in Germany – The Times of India
Malayalam is set to get its first big global push. In October, the University of Tubingen in Germany will be setting up a chair dedicated to the teaching of and research in Malayalam. It is being named after Hermann Gundert, a missionary scholar who lived and worked in Tellichery in the 19th century and did […]
more…20 Aug, 2015
It’s Time to Admit It. Israeli Policy Is What It Is: Apartheid — Bradley Burston, Ha’aretz
By Bradley Burston Aug 17, 2015 What I’m about to write will not come easily for me. I used to be one of those people who took issue with the label of apartheid as applied to Israel. I was one of those people who could be counted on to argue that, while the country’s settlement […]
more…20 Aug, 2015
Short commutes better than sex, Londoners say — The Independent
It turns out having a short commute is more important to Londoners than pretty much everything, including sex or their earnings. According to a survey of over 10,000 Londoners by Time Out, one of the largest factors that related to improved wellbeing was a short commute. Wellbeing was on average 8.3 per cent higher among […]
more…19 Aug, 2015
In Pictures: Less than 48 hours after blast, reopened Erawan Shrine is the new Bangkok tourist hot-spot
Bangkok — Less than 48 hours after the Aug 17 bomb blast at the Erawan shrine, one of Bangkok’s most popular tourist spots has reopened and become an even bigger tourist attraction. Hundreds of tourists are converging at the shrine as well as the elevated walkway overlooking it to pray, make their offerings and just […]
more…19 Aug, 2015
South Korea to lure tourists with tax breaks on breast augmentation
SEOUL, BLOOMBERG, AUG 18, 2015 – South Korea is taking duty-free shopping to a whole new level, with plans to exclude face lifts, breast enlargements and liposuction from value-added tax for tourists. Desperate to boost tourism after an outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus hurt the economy, the country will give tourists […]
more…19 Aug, 2015
TAT: No Cutbacks in Global Marketing Campaigns
Bangkok – Adopting a strong lead-from-the-front policy position, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is to maintain all its global marketing and promotion campaigns as normal, the TAT’s Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications Mr. Sugree Sithivanich has confirmed. The decision to stay the course, one of the key elements of Thailand’s crisis-management plan, is designed to […]
more…18 Aug, 2015
Paris deluxe hotels counting the cost of the Airbnb revolution – The Independent
Well-to-do holidaymakers are streaming out of Paris’s grandest suites and in to luxury flats: or so say France’s oldest and most prestigious hoteliers. They have declared war on Airbnb for taking their customers in the world’s most visited city and say the flat-sharing site is not playing by the same rules. “It’s an unfair competition,” […]
more…18 Aug, 2015
Thai tourism industry again in crisis-management mode following Bangkok bomb attack
Bangkok – The Thai tourism industry was again in crisis mode on August 18 in the wake of a bomb blast at a downtown spiritual shrine popular with tourists. Heavy-duty meetings were under way nationwide between the public and private sectors on how to handle the aftermath of the blast which security authorities have publicly […]
more…17 Aug, 2015
Orlando Airport To Open $250,000 Muslim Prayer Room
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 17 August 2015 (02 Dhul Qa’dah 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…17 Aug, 2015
Now Everyone Can Buy: Thailand’s Best Brands-free SME “Mega-mall” in Pictures
Babgkok – The Thai tourism industry is striving to position Thailand as a value-for-money Quality Destination and boost shopping as a means of raising national incomes, promoting a more fair and balanced distribution of economic progress and creating jobs. However, one major opportunity to meet that objective does not get its fair share of promotion […]
more…15 Aug, 2015
Airbnb Horror Story Points to Need for Precautions – The New York Times
Early in the evening of July 4, Micaela Giles’s mobile phone started sounding alerts, and a series of messages straight out of a horror movie began scrolling down her screen. Her 19-year-old son told her that his Airbnb host in Madrid had locked him in the fourth-floor apartment where he was supposed to be staying […]
more…15 Aug, 2015
Indian rapper ‘overwhelmed’ by success of protest song against Unilever – The Guardian
A rapper whose protest song about corporate pollution in an idyllic hill town in southern India has dragged the issue into the spotlight says she is totally overwhelmed by its phenomenal success, which has prompted a personal response from the CEO of Unilever. Sofia Ashraf’s skit Kodaikanal Won’t – named after a tourist resort in […]
more…14 Aug, 2015
Israel’s new face of Jewish extremism is a 20-year-old mother – The Independent
Aviya Morris is the fresh new face of Jewish extremism. A soft-spoken young mother who wants to see the Muslim walls tumble down and a new Israel rise. This is her dream. She admits that it could “lead to world war”. That would be the fault of Arabs and the international community, she says. Ms […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
Why We’re Sick and Tired of Wellness | Alternet
By Kali Holloway / AlterNet August 11, 2015 In big-picture terms, wellness sounds like a pretty good idea right about now. Around the world, obesity rates are climbing (astoundingly, the planet’s “1.6 billion overweight and obese now outnumber the malnourished by nearly 2-to-1”). Noncommunicable illnesses such as heart attack and diabetes have supplanted starvation and […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
U.S. Congress and Its Leaders Suffer Continued Low Level of Public Approval – Gallup Polls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Now on August recess, members of Congress returning to their districts may receive a skeptical reception from constituents, as 14% of U.S. adults approve of the job Congress is doing, down slightly from 17% in July. These results come from a Gallup poll conducted Aug. 5-9. Congressional leaders can point to a […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
Israeli arms exports under scrutiny for ‘helping to fuel conflict in South Sudan’ – The Independent
For years there have been persistent reports of Israel selling arms to regimes with records of egregious human rights abuses without the issue being discussed or questioned at home. But that is changing. Eitay Mack, a young lawyer, is trying to break through the wall of secrecy around Israeli weapons exports and is pressing for […]
more…13 Aug, 2015
As Barcelona has found, it’s possible for a city to have too many tourists – The Independent
Can tourism be too much of a good thing? When all the undoubted benefits are outweighed by the sheer aggravation, when numbers and money, the measurable things, are eclipsed by less quantifiable downsides, such as congestion, jobs that remain low-paid and insecure, and a deterioration in life quality for permanent residents? One European city thinks […]
more…12 Aug, 2015
Saudi tourists advised to exercise caution, set good example | Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi nationals on vacation during summer or intending to spend a few days away from home, either in other Gulf countries or European nations have been advised to exercise caution and know the culture and basic rules of those countries. Local tourism industry player Bandar bin Khalid Al-Hokair said Saudi nationals should preserve the […]
more…12 Aug, 2015
Australia needs to figure out its own place in Asia | The Jakarta Post
Australia is struggling with existential uncertainty. Is it part of Asia? Does it want to become part of Asia? Its economic future and hence prosperity, is increasingly tied to Asia. China is by far its largest trading partner and Australia is also trading more and more with its Asian neighbors. But that is probably as […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Saudi Arabia may go broke before the US oil industry buckles – Sydney Morning Herald
If the oil futures market is correct, Saudi Arabia will start running into trouble within two years. It will be in existential crisis by the end of the decade. The contract price of US crude oil for delivery in December 2020 is currently $US62.05, implying a drastic change in the economic landscape for the Middle […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Rogue drones a growing nuisance across the U.S. – The Washington Post
By Craig Whitlock Rogue drone operators are rapidly becoming a national nuisance, invading sensitive airspace and private property — with the regulators of the nation’s skies largely powerless to stop them. In recent days, drones have smuggled drugs into an Ohio prison, smashed against a Cincinnati skyscraper, impeded efforts to fight wildfires in California and […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Why Mysore (Mysuru) topping India’s clean city rating is no surprise | The Indian Express
The emergence of the heritage city of Mysuru as the cleanest city in the country in the pre-Swacch Bharat rankings released last week is testimony to the importance of imbibing a culture of cleanliness over decades and generations. The number one rank for Mysore among 476 evaluated cities in India comes as no great surprise […]
more…11 Aug, 2015
Global Caucus of The People Travel & Tourism Loves to Hate
Manila — About 150 leading global NGO activists and social movement leaders will meet in Quezon City, the Philippines, between August 13-14 to discuss the downsides of Asia’s growth paradigm and chart strategies to help alternative perspectives get more traction in the mainstream development agenda. Under the theme “Whose New Asia?”, the International Conference on […]
more…10 Aug, 2015
Lotfollah Mosque of Isfahan tops list of world’s most beautiful mosques
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 10 August 2015 (25 Shawwal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS 2015 […]
more…9 Aug, 2015
US teens start school too early, need more sleep: study
Most teenagers in the United States start the school day too early each morning, robbing them of the sleep they need to concentrate properly and remain healthy, according to a study published Thursday. Fewer than one in five middle and high schools in the United States start at 8:30 am or later, as recommended, according […]
more…9 Aug, 2015
UK airport VAT scam: Retailers pocketing millions from duty-free discounts – The Independent
Some of Britain’s top retailers are facing calls to be more honest with airport customers as they pocket millions of pounds in VAT discounts on duty free items without passing on the savings. Many stores in airports across the UK now demand that passengers present their boarding cards at checkouts before paying for any goods. […]
more…7 Aug, 2015
Elderly make up 80% of Japanese fraud victims, police say
Tokyo, Kyodo, Aug 6, 2015 – Elderly people accounted for nearly 80 percent of all victims of confirmed fraud cases in the first half of 2015, according to provisional data released by the National Police Agency. “Special fraud” cases, including swindling the elderly by impersonating their children over the phone and asking for urgent money […]
more…7 Aug, 2015
Averting déjà vu: Why the travel & tourism industry should back Obama on the Iran nuclear deal
Bangkok – President Barack Obama’s 5 August 2015 speech on the Iran nuclear agreement was replete with warnings about heeding the same bunch of warmongers trying to use the same bunch of discredited arguments in the same old table-thumping way as they did in whipping up the U.S. political establishment to sanction the 2003 attack […]
more…6 Aug, 2015
Germanwings crash probe report highlights impact of stress, alcohol and drugs on those at the controls
Bangkok — Two investigation reports into the March 24 crash of Germanwings flight have underscored the role of stress, alcohol and drugs (S.A.D.) on the mental condition of pilots. By extension, they have raised serious concerns about the influence of S.A.D. on the mental condition of those at the wheel of all modes of transport, […]
more…4 Aug, 2015
Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao Launches Exclusive ‘Meditation on the Mekong’ Experience
Hong Kong, 3rd August 2015 – Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos has launched an exclusive ‘Meditation on the Mekong’ experience, immersing guests in an integral cornerstone of Buddhism during an intimate tour of the country’s spiritual capital. Arranged in partnership with local meditation company Your Mind Retreat, this one-of-a-kind tour takes […]
more…4 Aug, 2015
A Pakistani centenarian’s “alternative” way of filling up Asia’s potholes and boosting road safety
Karachi — Millions of potholes pockmark the streets, roads and alleys of Asia. They exact an immense collective toll in the form of motorcycle accidents, damage to vehicles and traffic casualties. Filling them up is usually a public sector responsibility. That means waiting for the local Roads or Transport departments to complete the bureaucratic process […]
more…3 Aug, 2015
India to Fund Translation of Ancient Arabic Manuscripts Showing Islamic Health & Wellness Advances
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 03 August 2015 (17 Shawwaal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…2 Aug, 2015
Average of 22 dowry deaths per day in India over last three years: Govt – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: A total of 24,771 dowry deaths have been reported in the country in past three years with maximum of them occurring in Uttar Pradesh with 7,048 deaths. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, women and child development ministry Maneka Gandhi said that 8,233, 8,083, and 8,455 cases were registered under section 304B […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
Professional women should give birth at younger age: Chinese physician advises
By Zhang Qiaoli Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-07-28 – Women should strive to balance quality of work and life, and have children at a young age. As a doctor I see much suffering because of this imbalance. Xiao Ying, 36, works for a large law firm. Her job means lots of travel, a heavy caseload and a […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
China to launch national survey of senior citizens
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) July 29, 2015 – China will launch a massive sample survey of senior citizens on August 1. This survey, the fourth China has made on the living situation of senior people in rural and urban areas, will last about one month with the effort of 40,000 census-takers, according to a press […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
Jewish extremist stabs six people at Gay Pride march in Jerusalem
Jerusalem: An Orthodox Jewish assailant stabbed and injured six participants of an annual Gay Pride march in Jerusalem on Thursday. It was the worst attack in years on the event in Jerusalem, a city where the religious population is more prominent than in other parts of Israel. “I saw an ultra-Orthodox youth stabbing everyone in […]
more…31 Jul, 2015
General Motors to pull out of Gujarat to stem mounting losses | The Indian Express
In a bid to stem mounting losses, US-based auto major General Motors on Wednesday said it will restructure operations at its Indian subsidiary by ceasing operations at its facility in Halol, Gujarat and instead invest in consolidating operations at its other unit in Talegaon, Maharashtra. GM is the first major auto maker in the last […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
India: All upcoming Metro stations to have toilets
NEW DELHI, July 23 (NNN-Bernama) — All upcoming metro stations including 32 of them under the Delhi Metro will have toilets, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha, was informed on Thursday, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. Direction has been issued to all metro companies implementing metro projects under 50:50 joint […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Australian Opposition Party signals intent to recognise Palestine statehood
Melbourne (IINA) 28 July 2015 – The Australian Labor Party (ALP), currently in opposition, agreed Sunday on a resolution to consider recognizing a Palestinian statehood if peace talks remain deadlocked. The resolution, put forward on Monday at the ALP’s three-day national conference held in Melbourne, stipulated that “If … there is no progress in the next round […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Saudi women on the move after being cleared to travel without male escorts – Arab News
ABHA: Several Saudi businesswomen started traveling with a group of friends after recent regulations which allow women to travel without their mahram. These women said they find great fun to travel as a group with their friends and their children, where they can achieve their goals of travel. Travel and tourism offices said many Saudi […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Greater Jakarta Islands ask tourists to ‘dress modestly’ – The Jakarta Post
The Thousand Islands regency administration has asked that tourists, both locals and foreigners, who visit the island to “dress modestly”. Thousand Islands’ Tourism and Culture Agency head Irfal Guci said that more and more tourists had visited the island over the years. Thus, he said, the office felt the need to encourage tourists to dress […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Accenture to scrap annual performance reviews – The Independent
As of September, one of the largest companies in the world will do all of its employees and managers an enormous favor: It will get rid of the annual performance review. Accenture CEO Pierre Nanterme told The Washington Post that the professional services firm, which employs hundreds of thousands of workers in cities around the […]
more…29 Jul, 2015
Travel Impact Newswire launches First Early-Warning Report for Travel & Tourism Industry
Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire, the leading alternative-perspective online publication covering travel & tourism, has launched what is claimed to be the first Early-Warning Report designed to alert the world’s pre-eminent service industry to looming risks and threats in a rapidly-changing world. Focussing on subjects ranging from the impact of geopolitical conflict to the expanding […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Chris Hedges: Why I Support the BDS Movement Against Israel – Truthdig
The Palestinians are poor. They are powerless. They have no voice or influence in the halls of power. They are demonized. They do not have well-heeled lobbyists doling out campaign contributions and pushing through pro-Palestinian legislation. No presidential candidate is appealing to donors—as Hillary Clinton did when she sent a letter to media mogul Haim […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Masterpiece essays by 70 multi-lingual students top UN-organised competition
United Nations — A Vietnamese university student writing in Arabic, an Australian writing in Chinese, a Kazakh writing in French and a Korean writing in Spanish are among the 70 winners of a global multi-lingual essay-writing contest organised by the United Nations to involve the world’s young people in crafting the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. […]
more…28 Jul, 2015
Terrorism’s saffron fault line – DAWN.COM
Saffron now carries the indelible imprint of BJP’s aggressive brand of religious-political chauvinism, particularly in the wake of the 2002 communal carnage in Gujarat when sword-wielding killers sported saffron headbands, stoles and pennants. It has thus become the default term for anything to do with Hindu supremacist politics and actions although the BJP has vigorously […]
more…27 Jul, 2015
Secrecy of TPP talks fuels concern about influence of corporate property lobby
AFP-JIJI, Jul 26, 2015, WASHINGTON – Higher costs for needed generic drugs. Longer copyright protections than the global standard. Foreign investors empowered to overrule governments. A more tightly-regulated Internet. Those are just some of the potential pitfalls from any deal that could emerge from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation free trade and investment pact shrouded […]
more…27 Jul, 2015
Special Report: Iran Beckons The World
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 July 2015 (10 Shawwal 1436). This week’s edition includes a special compilation of reports on the business, cultural and artistic awakening set to emerge in Iran following the conclusion of the nuclear pact with […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” writer says film can build India-Pakistan bridge – Times of India
Koduri Ventaka Vijayendra Prasad’s pen has delivered cross-border magic, with Bajrangi Bhaijaan becoming a big hit in both India and Pakistan. Now this isn’t a film about dinosaurs or dancing or a wedding. It’s about a desi Hanuman bhakt reuniting a young Pakistani angel with her family in PoK. Here’s a message as big as […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
Teesta Setalvad: Activists face dark future under Modi govt – The Hindu
In an interview to The Hindu a few days ago, she said that under the Modi regime the future is dark for activists. Arguably the face of the fight for justice for the victims of the Gujarat riots in 2002, Teesta Setalvad has tirelessly fought scores of cases, provided legal aid to the survivors through […]
more…26 Jul, 2015
San Francisco could be hit by massive earthquake ‘any day now’, says USGS scientist – The Independent
The San Francisco Bay Area could be struck by a major earthquake “any day now”, says a scientist with the US Geological Survey.The Hayward fault historically causes a huge earthquake every 140 years and it has been 147 years since the last major quake on the fault.Hayward caused a magnitude 4.0 earthquake on Tuesday that […]
more…25 Jul, 2015
Especially for those Americans who think Islam is a violent religion…
Just hours before a gunman entered a cinema in Louisiana killing two people and injuring nine others, Barack Obama spoke out yet again about the US’s gun laws. Speaking to the BBC, the president said: “The United States of America is the one advanced nation on Earth in which we do not have sufficient common […]
more…25 Jul, 2015
How one homeless child inspired this Bangladeshi to help hundreds – The Guardian
It was a day playing with plastic bottles that changed Korvi Rakshand’s life. Named one of 10 inspirational Bangladeshis last year, Rakshand was born to a wealthy family. But he turned his back on money and for the past eight years has been running an NGO in one of Dhaka’s biggest slums. He talks freely […]
more…24 Jul, 2015
76% of Working Adults Have Suffered Under a Bad Boss, U.S. National Workforce Survey Finds
HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–23 July 2015 — The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University, a leading executive MBA program for working managers, today released findings from its national workforce survey, which was conducted to determine how employees perceive their managers, careers, and workplace culture. Based on the survey, eight in ten workers report having a […]
more…24 Jul, 2015
Are We Becoming 24-Hour Workers? CareerBuilder Survey Explores the Demise of 9 to 5
CHICAGO, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — A new CareerBuilder survey indicates that, much like flip phones and fax machines, the traditional eight-hour work day may be on its way out. More than 1,000 full-time workers in information technology, financial services, sales, and professional and business services – industries that historically have more traditional work hours […]
more…23 Jul, 2015
The German Workforce Has a Burnout Problem — Gallup
14 July 2015, (Gallup Inc.) — In 2012, the German business publication Manager Magazin reported the number of burnout cases among companies in the DAX, the German stock index covering the 30 most actively traded blue chip companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Working with patient data, the European hospital chain Asklepios estimated that, on […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
New app to help non-drinkers find alcohol-free friends and colleagues
By Kristina Sperkova I am so proud and excited about the fact that we in IOGT International have just built a partnership with SoberGrid – the Number One Sober App that was officially launched just a few hours ago. We believe in the App and in the people behind it. We know it will provide […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
Chinese commentary: Iran nuclear deal opens new vistas of opportunities
Washington DC, 2015-07-17 (China Daily): The long-term and comprehensive nuclear agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and P5+1 – China, the US, Russia, France, the UK plus Germany – should be applauded for opening a new channel of peace for not only the Middle East, but also the whole world. The deal ended a […]
more…22 Jul, 2015
PH is Airbnb’s fastest growing market – Manila Bulletin
Manila — The Philippines posted an exponential 300 percent growth year on year for travelers using the Airbnb platform, a website for people to rent out lodging, making it the fastest growing market in the ASEAN region. Jia Jih Chai, Airbnb managing director for Southeast Asia and India, told reporters in an interview at the […]
more…21 Jul, 2015
Chicago’s Rebel Rabbi Standing with Palestinians: “We Must Stand with the Oppressed”
By standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people, I believe I am fulfilling one of the central spiritual directives of my religious tradition – namely that we must stand with the oppressed and call out the oppressor. It’s really that simple. Now of course, I’m not so naïve as to deny the enormous complexities that […]
more…20 Jul, 2015
Palestine, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka sign up for Halal Travel Summit in Abu Dhabi
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 July 2015 (04 Shawwaal 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA MALAYSIA TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF GREAT FESTIVALS […]
more…20 Jul, 2015
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” film review: The Critical Role of Film-makers as Peace-makers
Bangkok – One of the most poignant moments in this deeply sensitive yet highly entertaining film comes when one of the principal characters, a Pakistani journalist, tries vainly to sell local TV channels a powerful human interest story about a well-meaning fundamentalist Indian Hindu trying to reunite a lost Pakistani Muslim child with her parents. […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
The Revolt Against Tourism — New York Times
COPENHAGEN — AS we glide under a bridge on the city canal tour, our guide announces that we have entered a quiet zone. “This is a residential area,” she says, nodding toward balconies where Danes are enjoying coffee, or maybe wine. “I’ll resume talking in five minutes.” Denmark is one of the world’s top destinations […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Washington Post publishes “25 Most Moving Photos from Ramadan”
In a remarkable tribute to the beauty and grandeur of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, the Washington Post has published a special photographic section entitled, “The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan”. Click here to see the beautiful photographs: The 25 most moving photos from Ramadan – The Washington Post
more…19 Jul, 2015
The end of capitalism has begun – The Guardian
By Paul Mason The red flags and marching songs of Syriza during the Greek crisis, plus the expectation that the banks would be nationalised, revived briefly a 20th-century dream: the forced destruction of the market from above. For much of the 20th century this was how the left conceived the first stage of an economy […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
India will be a Hindu nation by 2020, world by 2030: Extremist group patron
Calling the victory of the BJP-led alliance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as initiation of a “revolution” in the country, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) patron Ashok Singhal on Saturday said by 2020, India would be a Hindu nation. “I was at the Sai Baba Ashram where Sai Baba told me by 2020 the entire […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Two Thai speakers slotted for Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Edinburgh
Two Thais are to be among the top speakers at the Global Alcohol Policy Conference to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland from 7-9 October 2015. To be co-hosted by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and Alcohol Focus Scotland, the conference will focus on the theme “Momentum For Change: Research And Advocacy Reducing Alcohol Harm.” […]
more…19 Jul, 2015
Anti-Muslim group to rally in Sydney – Sydney Morning Herald
Reclaim Australia protesters will descend on Sydney’s Martin Place on Sunday after similar rallies ended in violence in Melbourne. The protesters will gather in Martin Place between Macquarie and Phillip Streets at 10.30am tomorrow protesting against what Reclaim Australia calls the “Islamisation of Australia”. In Melbourne about 50 Reclaim Australia protesters were met by anti-racism […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of the lot – Aurora
As part of its #GermfreeRamazan activation campaign, Lifebuoy recently released a video that created a whole lot of positive buzz on social media in Pakistan. Here are five reasons why this is one of the best Ramazan ads in a long time. Read the rest: Five reasons why Lifebuoy’s Ramzan ad is the best of […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Study: Afghan war costs American taxpayers $4 million per hour — RT USA
New data shows that America’s war in Afghanistan is costing taxpayers roughly $4 million an hour, despite the Obama administration’s drawdown of troops leaving only 10,000 soldiers in the country. Despite the colossal cost, the Obama administration and Afghan leadership both recognize the war will only end with peace negotiations, according to observers. More than […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
2 million worshippers pray at Grand Mosque on 27th Ramadan night – Arab News
JEDDAH: More than two million worshippers offered Isha and taraweeh prayers on 27th night of Ramadan at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in a highly spiritual atmosphere. The government led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has ensured elaborate security as well as comfort by providing all necessary services to the guests […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
British Muslims in Newcastle invite locals for Iftar
Newcastle, England (IINA) 13 Jul 2015 – In the spirit of Ramadan, a Muslim community in Newcastle, England, invited their local community to break their fast together, World Bulletin reported. The Islamic Diversity Centre (IDC) has held an annual Iftar event which took place last week in suburban Walbottle, Newcastle. As reported in the Chronicle […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Drones and phones to tackle Indonesian Eid ul-Fitri holiday road chaos – The Jakarta Post
From drones to smartphone apps, Indonesia is harnessing technology to tackle traffic chaos during the annual mass exodus before the Muslim Eid ul Fitri holiday, when the potholed roads of overpopulated Java become clogged with millions of slow-moving cars and crashes are frequent. Cities in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country empty every year at […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Klu Klux Klan distributes fliers in black South Carolina neighbourhood – The Independent
When the Klu Klux Klan distributed fliers in a predominantly black neighbourhood, residents reponded in a way that the KK might not have been expected – by producing their own posters showing a white and black hand clasped in a handshake. What made the response all the more telling was that the incident took place […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
How Iran got the hegemon to lift sanctions
Now that Iran nuclear deal is completed, the attention of western news media and political commentators is predictably focused overwhelmingly on the opposition to the agreement within the US Congress and from Israel and the Saudi-led Sunni Arab coalition. That media lens misses the real significance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which is […]
more…16 Jul, 2015
Netizen Redesigns China’s High-Speed Rail Network Like a Subway Map
Beijing, July 15, 2015, (People’s Daily Online) – Recently, a netizen in China drew a nationwide high-speed railway network in the format of a subway map. This straightforward and clear map saves travelers tons of work in planning for transportation. “I got the itch to travel the moment I saw this map,” a netizen comments […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
Hotel ‘staffed’ entirely by robots unveiled in Japan – Al Jazeera English
A businessman in Japan has unveiled a hotel run by robots, insisting the move is not a gimmick but a serious attempt at reducing costs. People and Power – The Tech Threat Henn na Hotel, as it is called in Japanese, was shown to reporters on Wednesday, complete with robot demonstrations, ahead of its opening […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
In Latin America Tour, Pope Francis Trashes Everything Travel & Tourism Considers Holy
If the travel & tourism industry did not pay any attention to the powerful speeches by Pope Francis during his 5-13 July tour of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay, three countries considered among the poorest in Latin America, it needs to think again. Trashing everything that the industry considers holy, the head of the 1.2 billion […]
more…15 Jul, 2015
Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation – DAWN.COM
Jandial — a Zoroastrian temple in heart of Buddhist civilisation Amjad Iqbal — Updated 3 days ago Base of the column of sandstone placed in front of Jandial temple. Taxila is known as the cradle of Buddhist civilisation, with numerous Buddhist sites. But few know that in heart of the great Buddhist civilisation there stands […]
more…13 Jul, 2015
New York to host first Muslim comedy festival
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 13 July 2015 (26 Ramadan 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TRAVEL NEWSWIRE EXECUTIVE EDITOR IMTIAZ MUQBIL AND ASSISTANT EDITOR SANA MUQBIL SHAMSI WISH ALL […]
more…12 Jul, 2015
Claiming to preserve Jerusalem, Israeli archaeologists wreck Palestinian heritage | The Electronic Intifada
In an administrative building buried deep in the spaciously built suburbs of West Jerusalem, the latest phase of a long-standing struggle over a corner of land in the heart of the city concluded last week. Israel’s National Planning Committee has overseen an appeal by several bodies who oppose the further expansion of the powerful settler […]
more…11 Jul, 2015
Saudis more law-abiding abroad | Arab News
JEDDAH: A local survey found that almost half of Saudis abide by rules and laws in public places outside the Kingdom more than they do inside the country. More than one-third of the respondent sample said they violate road traffic signs and directions. The survey, conducted by Tagreed Al-Jadaani, professor of home economics at King […]
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