23 Nov, 2014

Spotlight on safe havens for corrupt Chinese officials

By Chen Weihua

Washington DC, (China Daily) 2014-11-21 – The United States has been waging wars all over the world trying to deny safe haven to extreme terrorists. But to many Chinese, the US itself has for too long been a safe haven for a large group of bad guys – corrupt Chinese officials on the run. These […]

23 Nov, 2014

UK employers told to look out for the signs of domestic violence – The Independent

In the advice from the Government’s health agency, managers will be asked to spot sudden shifts in behaviour, or changes to clothing and appearance which may disguise bruising, and are to be encouraged to approach staff sensitively and offer help. One in four women and one in six men experience domestic violence at some point […]

23 Nov, 2014

Broadway hotel fined a couple £100 for bad review on Tripadvisor — The Guardian

The Broadway, a labyrinthine budget hotel in Blackpool’s South Shore area, made international news this week, when it emerged it had charged a couple from Cumbria £100 for slagging it off on TripAdvisor. Tony and Jan Jenkinson found the charge on their credit card bill after describing the hotel as a “FILTHY, DIRTY ROTTEN STINKING […]

22 Nov, 2014

Denial is not a cure for historical abuse, truth is – Hindustan Times

History should not extend itself into the present and colour our evaluations of a people today. For example, we don’t need to settle scores with today’s British for the actions of their ancestors. And furthermore, if Indian Christians are not blamed for British excesses just because the British happened to be Christians, why should Indian […]

22 Nov, 2014

Modi, I will remain RSS swayamsevaks: Rajnath – Hindustan Times

Asked about the RSS, which is seen as the spiritual and ideological guide of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said, “RSS is not an external force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I are both from the RSS. Where is the question of RSS influence? “The PM and I will remain RSS swayamsevaks all our […]

22 Nov, 2014

2002 Gujarat riots: US court seeks response to objections over PM Modi’s immunity | The Indian Express

A US court has asked the State Department to respond by December 10 to the objections raised by a rights group over the immunity granted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with a lawsuit filed against him for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The American Justice Center (AJC) had filed a […]

22 Nov, 2014

‘Papal visit can help bring peace to Mindanao’ | Manila Bulletin

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad yesterday said the forthcoming apostolic visit of Pope Francis to the country “as an opportunity to bring peace in Mindanao.” In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Jumoad said that even if the Pope will not visit Mindanao, “the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan hopes that the historic visit will finally […]

22 Nov, 2014

Asia Times Online: A U.S. General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

Why We Lost: A General’s Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, by Daniel P Bolger “I am a United States Army general, and I lost the Global War on Terrorism,” Lieutenant-General Daniel Bolger begins his history of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. “It’s like Alcoholics Anonymous; step one is admitting you have a […]

22 Nov, 2014

BBC News – Women bosses ‘more depressed’ than male counterparts

Women are more likely than men to display symptoms of depression when in a position of authority at work, according to US scientists. In men, authority, such as the ability to hire and fire people, decreases depressive symptoms, the study said. The study, published in the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, looked at 2,800 […]

21 Nov, 2014

Fears grow about Hindu ‘Modi-fication’ of education – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indians were flying aeroplanes, carrying out stem cell research and may even have been using cosmic weapons 5,000 years ago, according to the chairman of India’s leading historical organisation. Professor Y Sudershan Rao, the head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, has been criticized by fellow historians for comments that Hindu epics […]

21 Nov, 2014

UCLA students vote in favor of Israel divestment – Haaretz

The UCLA undergraduate student government passed a resolution that calls for the University of California to divest from American companies that are accused of abusing Palestinian human rights. The student government passed the divestment resolution by a vote of 8 to 2, with two abstentions on Tuesday night. The passing vote comes nine months after […]

21 Nov, 2014

Woman opens professional cuddling shop – The Independent

Professional cuddler Samantha Hess has opened a pro cuddling shop, where for $60 customers can get an hour’s worth of spooning and “the level of human contact that we want or need in order to be our optimal selves.” Located in Portland, Oregon, the shop is called Cuddle Up To Me and is already very […]

21 Nov, 2014

India set to become the next lackey of Israel

While every other ally of Israel has distanced itself from Israel’s policies after its offensive in Gaza this summer – especially on settlements – India has pledged to strengthen its relations with the country. A visit by India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Israel this month became an chance for India to proclaim its steadfast […]

21 Nov, 2014

Men fall in love faster than women, but wait longer to say so, survey finds – The Independent

Men appear to be shier than women when it comes to confessing their love to a new partner, but get that fuzzy feeling faster than women, according to new research. While women typically say ‘I love you’ three months earlier than men, it is actually men who succumb to love sooner– on an average of […]

21 Nov, 2014

Chinese commentary: US policies creating a time bomb in Asia-Pacific

By Li Haidong (China Daily)

Beijing, 2014-11-21, Chinadaily.com – Washington’s persistence in pushing its pivot to Asia strategy reveals the fragility of US power and its Cold War mentality Prior to his departure from the recently concluded G20 Summit in Australia, US President Barack Obama, in a speech at the University of Queensland on Saturday, stressed that the Asia-Pacific region […]

21 Nov, 2014

New research opens door for travel & tourism to demand answers for failed “war on terror”

Imtiaz Muqbil

The Global Terrorism Index 2014 (GTI), released earlier this week, will provide the travel & tourism industry with powerful research to challenge the conventional wisdoms on the “war on terror” and start pursuing alternative perspectives. The report provides statistics clearly showing that nearly 15 years after 9-11 attacks, the trillions of dollars spent on combatting […]

20 Nov, 2014

Beware of cover for making anti-Muslim bigotry respectable – Sydney Morning Herald

In the case of contemporary anti-Muslim feeling, there are frequently racialised elements. Religion can be used as a surrogate for race. When we see verbal and other attacks against Muslim Australians, it is often accompanied by a nastiness that resembles racial hatred. Anti-Muslim sentiment can be based on negative racial stereotypes about people from the […]

20 Nov, 2014

A view of India based on hatred – Vir Sanghvi, Hindustan Times

But that doesn’t explain the rancour, the viciousness of the responses and the bitterness displayed by many of those attacking Nehru and especially by the angry army of abusive trolls on social media who spend their days posting abuse all the way from Vancouver to Versova. That anger stems from two entirely separate factors. The […]

20 Nov, 2014

Uber executive stirs up privacy controversy – The Washington Post

An Uber executive’s suggestion that the company should investigate the private lives of journalists has sparked a backlash against the popular car service, offering a potent reminder that tech companies are amassing detailed — and potentially embarrassing — records of users’ communications, Internet traffic and even physical movements. The controversy stemmed from remarks by Uber […]

19 Nov, 2014

The Right-wing route is wrong – Hindustan Times

The current flavour of the month for the chatteratti is the 125th birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. For the media, ‘Breaking News’ is generating a debate on why the Congress has not invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to its international seminar on Nehru’s worldview and legacy. The government of […]

18 Nov, 2014

Diabetes growing rapidly in GCC region | GulfNews.com

Dubai: Despite a slew of diabetes health awareness campaigns, the prevalence of the disease is soaring as the globe observes World Diabetes Day today. Type 2 diabetes is caused due to a decadent lifestyle and bad nutrition and the rate is not only climbing but it is expected to get far worse in the Middle […]

18 Nov, 2014

£10 charge to be introduced for up to 5.5m visitors to the UK, Labour says – The Guardian

Labour will seek to beef up its pitch to voters on immigration with a pledge to pay for 1,000 extra border guards by imposing a charge on visitors from the US and 55 other countries. Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, will criticise other parties for engaging in an “arms race of rhetoric” on the issue, […]

18 Nov, 2014

Asia Times Online: The siege of Julian Assange is a farce

The siege of Knightsbridge is a farce. For two years, an exaggerated, costly police presence around the Ecuadorean embassy in London has served no purpose other than to flaunt the power of the state. Their quarry is an Australian charged with no crime, a refugee from gross injustice whose only security is the room given […]

18 Nov, 2014

UK Budget cuts forcing cuts in school student exchange trips – The Independent

Whether a joyful summer away from the prying eyes of parents, or a tedious fortnight in a dreary provincial town, foreign exchanges have been a rite of passage for generations of British teenagers. But many children today are missing out on the mind-expanding opportunities offered by language and cultural exchanges, as budget cuts and safety […]

18 Nov, 2014

Facebook, Google and Apple lobby for curb to NSA surveillance – The Guardian

A coalition of technology and internet companies is lobbying to curb US National Security Agency surveillance powers and for more transparency on government data requests. The Reform Government Surveillance coalition, including Facebook, Google, Twitter, Microsoft and Apple, added its support for the race to pass a bill through the US Senate before the end of […]

17 Nov, 2014

Istanbul’s giant mosque to be “women-friendly,” architects say

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 17 November 2014 (24 Muharram 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]

16 Nov, 2014

16 Indian political parties to observe Dec 6 as communal harmony day in Bengal – The Times of India

KOLKATA: Sixteen Left parties on Sunday decided to observe Dec 6 – the day when the 16th century Babri mosque was destroyed in 1992 – as communal harmony and unity day across West Bengal by bringing out rallies and holding street corners. Making the announcement after a meeting of the Left parties, Communist Party of […]

16 Nov, 2014

Phone use may lead to brain cancer | The Indian Express

The longer someone talks over the phone – in terms of hours and years – the more likely is he/she to develop glioma, a deadly form of brain cancer, says a new study. Brain tumour rates were three times more among people, who spoke on cell or cordless phones after more than 25 years than […]

16 Nov, 2014

Israel bars outspoken Norwegian doctor from entering Gaza – The Independent

Israel has barred a Norwegian doctor from entering the Gaza Strip through its territory after he severely criticised its military campaign while volunteering at a Gaza hospital during the devastating conflict over the summer. There was no immediate Israeli confirmation of Norwegian media reports that Dr Mads Gilbert, a trauma surgeon and far-left political activist, […]

16 Nov, 2014

Israel denies Colombian foreign minister entry to Ramallah – Haaretz

Israel denied this week a request by Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin to visit Ramallah. According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry in Bogota, Israel would only permit Holguin to visit Ramallah if she agreed to visit Jerusalem on the same visit to the region. A senior official in the Israeli Foreign Ministry […]

16 Nov, 2014

PAL targets to be a five-star airline, starts NY flights March 15 – Manila Bulletin

Over the medium term, Philippine Airlines (PAL) targets to be one of the best in the world, with a five-star rating, from being a three-star today, as it focuses on a handful of American cities, beefs up both international and regional destinations via code-shares and expand in the local market. At the same time, the […]

16 Nov, 2014

In Pictures: ‘We are all Palestinians’ – Al Jazeera English

In attempting to develop links across Palestine’s fragmented geography, the second edition of “Qalandia International” – Palestine’s contemporary arts biennial – undoubtedly faced challenges. Whether the festival should even take place, given the recent bombardment of Gaza, was brought into question before this year’s launch in Ramallah. Yet, the organising committee decided the festival should […]

16 Nov, 2014

The Saffronization of India | Arab News

Muharram has for centuries been one of the most secular events in the subcontinent. Some of the finest lines hailing the sacrifice of Hussain may Allah be pleased with him have been penned by Hindu poets. Back home in Hyderabad, Hindu families turn up in large numbers to watch and take part in the procession, […]

14 Nov, 2014

It’s the geopolitics, stupid: ETC reports analyse impact of Ukraine standoff on Russian travel

Imtiaz Muqbil

Russian outbound travel to Europe has taken a hit in the wake of the geopolitical standoff over Ukraine and is likely to end the year with 1.2 million fewer visitors than last year. At the same time, travel from Europe and the United States to Russia has also suffered, according to a report by the […]

13 Nov, 2014

Ex-Tourism Authority of Thailand chief to be charged with bribery – The Nation

Bangkok – THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has declared that it will file charges against former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan, who has been accused of accepting bribes from Hollywood filmmakers. The charges will go to the Office of the Attorney-General in the next few weeks. The process of filing charges began […]

13 Nov, 2014

Paedophile hunters: the vigilantes taking the law into their own hands – The Guardian

The pair of underage girls groomed for sex by a 50-year-old paedophile, Peter Mitchell, could not attend his sentencing at Derby crown court on Tuesday for one simple reason: they did not exist. The satisfaction of justice was instead enjoyed by a middle-aged married couple who have become the latest in a wave of vigilante […]

13 Nov, 2014

Who will support people who are ageing without children? – theguardian.com

By 2030, 2 million people are predicted to be over 65 without adult children, according to a 2014 report. This represents a huge demographic shift: approximately a quarter of people will get older without ever having had children. It’s astonishing that such a shift in society has been almost completely ignored in ageing debates. So […]

13 Nov, 2014

Palestine Signs US$3m Gaza Rubble Removal Agreement with Sweden

Imtiaz Muqbil

RAMALLAH, November 12, 2014 – (WAFA) – Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah signed on Wednesday a funding agreement with Sweden for the removal of rubble in the Gaza Strip. A three million dollars agreement was signed by Swedish Consul-General in Jerusalem Ann-Sofia Nilsson and UNPD Representative Frode Mauring at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah to […]

13 Nov, 2014

Former UK extremist denounces right-wing group as ‘disgusting’ – The Independent

A former member of extreme right-wing group Britain First who had a change of heart and left has branded the organisation’s latest actions “disgusting” – and visited two mosques to apologise. Matthew Lester, 26, who joined Britain First six months ago, spoke out to The Independent and condemned Paul Golding’s actions yesterday when he threatened […]

13 Nov, 2014

Banks fined £2.6bn, leaving London’s reputation in tatters – The Independent

In one of the darkest days in the histories of the City and Wall Street, six major banks were have been fined a total of £2.6bn by regulators. A seventh, Barclays, is still in talks over the size of its penalty. The punishments came after an inquiry by watchdogs in Britain, the US and Switzerland […]

13 Nov, 2014

What you’re not being told about US-China climate deal – The Independent

China and the US, the two biggest polluters in the world, have been secretly negotiating for nine months to agree what Barack Obama has dubbed a “historic” deal on reducing carbon emissions. The US has pledged to reduce emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2025 compared to 2005 levels and China pledged to reduce their […]

13 Nov, 2014

Australia falls behind in battle for Chinese tourists, TripAdvisor suggests

November 13, 2014 – Australia ranks just 17th on the list of the most popular international destinations for Chinese travellers despite our big push to attract them, according to new data from TripAdvisor. Data based on page views recorded on daodao.com – TripAdvisor’s official website in China – between September 2013 and September 2014 found […]

13 Nov, 2014

Mecca under threat: Outrage at plan to destroy the ‘birthplace’ of the Prophet Mohamed and replace it with luxury malls – The Independent

The site in Mecca where the Prophet Mohamed is said to have been born is about to be “buried under marble” and replaced by a huge royal palace. The work is part of a multibillion-pound construction project in the holy city which has already resulted in the destruction of hundreds of historic monuments. The project, […]

13 Nov, 2014

90 days without mobile helps man beat stress | GulfNews.com

DUBAI: So how long in this day and age can you live without a mobile phone? A few minutes or a few hours at best or worst (depending on how you look at it)? Here’s a man who’s lived without a mobile phone for an incredible 90 days at a stretch after accidentally breaking his […]

11 Nov, 2014

The Truth About the Wars – NYTimes.com

By DANIEL P. BOLGER AS a senior commander in Iraq and Afghanistan, I lost 80 soldiers. Despite their sacrifices, and those of thousands more, all we have to show for it are two failed wars. This fact eats at me every day, and Veterans Day is tougher than most. As veterans, we tell ourselves it […]

11 Nov, 2014

China Voice: Asia-Pacific region needs ’new rebalancing’

By Jiang Xufeng and Fu Shuangqi

BEIJING, Nov. 10, (Xinhua) — After two years of absence, U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Beijing Monday morning for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Besides the meeting, he will pay a state visit to China, the first since his re-election. China has welcomed his presence. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei […]

11 Nov, 2014

How TravelRave and ITB Asia are dumbing down the travel industry

Imtiaz Muqbil

Singapore : When Ms Neeta Lachmandas-Sakellariou, Assistant Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, addressed the opening press conference of ITB Asia on Oct 29, she dwelt extensively on the opportunities of a booming Asia-Pacific tourism industry, as well as the challenges. She made no mention of any threats. Not that she, a well-trained Singapore […]

10 Nov, 2014

Singer Yusuf Islam Launches Autobiography on his Spiritual Journey

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 10 November 2014 (17 Muharram 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]

9 Nov, 2014

Blair’s secret cash-for-contacts deal with Saudis | The Sunday Times

TONY BLAIR secured a secret contract with an oil company founded by a senior member of the Saudi royal family for a fee of £41,000 a month and a 2% commission on any of the multimillion-pound deals he helped broker, a leaked document reveals. The contract agreed in November 2010 between Tony Blair Associates (TBA) […]

9 Nov, 2014

Map: The countries that recognize Palestine as a state – The Washington Post

Last week, Sweden became the 135th member of the United Nations to officially recognize Palestine as an independent state. The act sparked a tetchy diplomatic incident with Israel, which WorldViews discussed here. On the ground, a separate, viable Palestinian state is far from a reality. Israel occupies the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and it […]

7 Nov, 2014

Starwood Capital cited in exposé of Multinational Companies’ Secret Tax Deals in Luxembourg

By Leslie Wayne, Kelly Carr, Marina Walker Guevara, Mar Cabra and Michael Hudson November 5, 2014 – Pepsi, IKEA, FedEx and 340 other international companies have secured secret deals from Luxembourg, allowing many of them to slash their global tax bills while maintaining little presence in the tiny European duchy, leaked documents show. These companies […]

7 Nov, 2014

Thousands Call on World Music Institute to Cancel Concert by Israeli “Ambassador” Idan Raichel

NEW YORK, November 6, 2014 (WAFA) – In a public letter, over 4,000 individuals and 50 groups from around the world called on the New York-based World Music Institute (WMI) to cancel their presentation of a concert by Israeli musician Idan Raichel on November 18 at New York City’s Symphony Space, said Adalah-NY, the New […]

7 Nov, 2014

Perilous Journey: India’s road to ultra-populism – The Hindu

The making and the public screening of “Haider” as a mainstream film was unexpected for observers of the contemporary Indian polity, at this time of a surge in Hindutva-spiked nationalism. Top-line cinematographers, stars, lyricists and promoters participated in a production that questioned New Delhi’s record in the Kashmir Valley, with onscreen characters even challenging the […]

7 Nov, 2014

The humanitarian tragedy I saw in Gaza – By Inger Andersen, The World Bank

Last week, I visited the Palestinian territories. I wanted to hear firsthand from the people of Gaza and understand the scope and magnitude of the recent conflict. I am now back from Gaza with a prevailing feeling of disbelief and sadness. Throughout my career at the World Bank, and at the United Nations or even […]

7 Nov, 2014

Ten easy steps to happier living – theguardian.com

We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what makes for a good life. Advertisers tell us it comes from owning and consuming their products. The media associate it with wealth, beauty or fame. And politicians claim that nothing matters more than growing the economy. But do any of these things really bring lasting happiness? For thousands […]

7 Nov, 2014

Aquino makes travel to BIMP-EAGA tax free – Manila Bulletin

November 7, 2014 – Effective immediately, people travelling from Mindanao and Palawan to countries in the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) will no longer pay travel tax. This was made possible by President Aquino who signed Memorandum Order No. 73 reinstating the travel tax exemption for air and sea travel to any destination within the […]

7 Nov, 2014

UK spies admit eavesdropping on lawyer-client communications – The Independent

MI5 and GCHQ have for years operated a policy allowing their staff to intercept communications between lawyers and their clients and use the legally protected material “like any other intelligence”, according to documents released today. The Government has for months resisted legal attempts by two Libyan victims of rendition to force it to disclose whether […]

5 Nov, 2014

Japan’s rich Muslim past and present – Al Jazeera English

Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Camii, or the Tokyo Mosque, is a curious sight, both stunning and subtle. Despite the grand Turkish design, the mosque hides between apartment blocks in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Yoyogi Uehara. Construction of the current incarnation of the mosque was completed in 2000, but the mosque has a much longer […]

5 Nov, 2014

BBC News – Chinese anti-corruption drive hits Macau casino revenue

Macau’s casinos have recorded their worst monthly revenue performance on record as China continues its anti-corruption drive. Total casino revenue fell by 23.2% in October from a year earlier, the worst result since the city started recording the data in 2005. Macau’s gaming authority said total revenue was 28bn Macau patacas ($3.5bn; £2.19bn) for the […]

5 Nov, 2014

Hindu right rewriting Indian textbooks – Al Jazeera English

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – You cannot blame Bhavana Vaja, 12, for telling you that the first aeroplane was invented during the mythical Dvapara Yuga, when the Hindu God Ram flew from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya in India with his wife Sita and brother Laxman in a Pushpaka Vimana – a swan­-shaped chariot of flowers. By claiming […]

4 Nov, 2014

105 Israeli ex-generals, spy chiefs call on Netanyahu to make peace with Palestinians — RT News

The largest-ever protest by Israeli top brass has taken place, with at least 105 retired generals and intelligence chiefs writing a letter to premier Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to “initiate a diplomatic process” for peace with Palestine. “We, the undersigned, reserve IDF commanders and retired police officers, who have fought in Israel’s military campaigns, know […]

4 Nov, 2014

Flashback: Historic reports, speeches show how a Jewish terrorist destroyed Middle East peace and tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil

Today, 4 November, marks 19 years since a Jewish fundamentalist fanatic terrorist named Yigal Amir assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, the man who took a small step towards making peace with the Palestinians. Rabin is pictured below shaking hands with former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the September 1993 signing of the framework agreement, […]

4 Nov, 2014

Britain’s new electronic spy chief says US tech giants aid terror — RT UK

Robert Hannigan, the new director of GCHQ, has accused US technology companies of being “in denial” about how their services are used as “command and control” networks by terrorists, calling on them to cooperate more with intelligence agencies. Hannigan’s remarks, published in an opinion piece for the Financial Times (FT) on Monday, reflect growing tension […]

3 Nov, 2014

Luxury train pulls into Tehran amid Western tourism push

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 03 November 2014 (10 Muharram 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE Malaysian […]

3 Nov, 2014

The two faces of Mr. Modi – The Hindu

By Karan Thapar No doubt many Hindus share Mr. Modi’s assumption that in prehistoric mythological times India had mastered genetic science and plastic surgery. As individuals they are free to believe what they want. But for the Prime Minister of India to proclaim this belief as fact — and that too at the inauguration of […]

3 Nov, 2014

Spain imposes ‘Google Tax’ – The Hindu

The Spanish government has successfully passed a new copyright law which imposes fees for online content aggregators such as Google News, in an effort to protect its print media industry. The new intellectual property law, known popularly as the “Google Tax” or by its initials LPI, requires services which post links and excerpts of news […]

3 Nov, 2014

Is music important at work? — Sydney Morning Herald

“I need the radio, bloody right, I couldn’t face this place without it.” The place referred to in that sentence is a workplace and the owner of the sentiment is an employee. It’s an opinion shared by others, too, such as his colleague who remarked: “You’ve got to have it to keep alive.” Those potent […]

3 Nov, 2014

Anti-terror laws undermine democracy – Sydney Morning Herald

October 2014 will go down as the month in which the federal Parliament made some of its greatest ever inroads into freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Ironically, this occurred only weeks after our politicians extolled the virtues of these freedoms in the debate over section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. It […]

3 Nov, 2014

India’s NextGen “Whistleblower” tactic to deter open defecation – The Hindu

In a bid to check the practice of open defecation, a social experiment will soon be started in villages of Indore division where children will blow a loud whistle to embarrass those who defecate in public. The State government is planning to set up groups of schoolchildren to take part in the campaign. “Under this […]

2 Nov, 2014

Britons find going to work more stressful than ever, poll reveals – The Independent

Britons find their jobs more stressful, precarious and demanding than ever before, according to an extensive poll of experiences of the workplace published exclusively by The Independent on Sunday. Two thirds of employed people say that the amount of work they are expected to do has grown over the past few years, and more than […]

2 Nov, 2014

Indian state drops colonial-era names of 12 cities – Hindustan Times

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced changes to the names of 12 cities in the State on the occasion of the 58th Kannada Rajyotsava or founding day of Karnataka. Colonial-era names have been replaced with Kannada ones; Bangalore is now Bengaluru and the bitterly contested district of Belgaum has become Belagavi. In the 57 years […]

2 Nov, 2014

Telangana chief minister accuses Modi government of bias – The Times of India

HYDERABAD: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday charged the Narendra Modi-led central government of bias against the state. The chief minister alleged that the Centre is not cooperating with Telangana in the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He also reiterated that the Andhra Pradesh government is denying Telangana its due share […]

2 Nov, 2014

Indian women want vacations without kids: Survey – Hindustan Times

As per a survey done by an Indian travel web site, a majority of Indian women thought going on a vacation with kids meant less personal time with spouse and that it was a major dampener. The survey, by Happytrips.com, was spread across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi NCR with a sample size of 1,000 females […]

2 Nov, 2014

40% of Abu Dhabi teens are fat | GulfNews.com

Abu Dhabi: Despite the implementation of a number of school-based health programmes, educational institutions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi still lack a comprehensive health strategy that addresses all current challenges, a senior educational official has said. As a result, about 60 per cent of teenage boys in Abu Dhabi schools are bullied one or […]

2 Nov, 2014

At Israel’s airport, what it’s like to be racially profiled – Haaretz

By Khaled Diab My European passport and Arab name are not news to the Israeli authorities. But the hostile treatment I recently encountered at Ben-Gurion Airport made me wonder not about Israel’s security – but its insecurities. Read the rest: At Israel’s airport, what it’s like to be racially profiled – Opinion Israel News | […]

1 Nov, 2014

Chinese austerity drive sees 25% of govt meetings cancelled

By An Baijie

Beijing, (China Daily), 2014-10-30 – China’s government departments have canceled 586,000 unnecessary meetings amid the “mass-line” campaign that aims to improve work style and get close to the people, Xinhua News Agency reported. The canceled meetings account for about a quarter of the 2.38 million conferences held annually by government departments, Xinhua reported on Tuesday. […]

1 Nov, 2014

Supreme Court issues notice to Gujarat govt on farmers suicide case | The Indian Express

Acting on a petition that, among other prayers, seeks compensation of Rs 5 lakhs for the families of 692 farmers who reportedly committed suicide in Gujarat between January 2003 and October 2012, a bench of Supreme Court issued notice to Gujarat Government directing it to file reply in four weeks. The petitioner group has been […]

31 Oct, 2014

Impatience creeps in, aspiring India stressed and dissatisfied – Hindustan Times

Sort through the noise and fury that characterise modern Indian politics and three things emerge. First, the Congress-led UPA government was a bastion of old-style, slow-moving government. Many of its constituents were either corrupt or condoned corruption — for whatever reason: Patronage, personal profit or the cost of coalition. Second, as recently available statistics reveal, […]

31 Oct, 2014

Post-tsunami history lesson: How ancient wisdom helped save an Aceh village

Imtiaz Muqbil

Banda Aceh, Indonesia — When Rahmadhani Sulaiman, Director of Programming and Planning at the Aceh Tourism & Culture Office, narrates the story of the 26 Dec 2004 tsunami to visitors, he highlights the wisdom of the word “Smong07”. It is what saved the islanders of Simeulue, around 200 kilometers off the western coast of Aceh Province. Although […]

28 Oct, 2014

RSS body seeks to prove Indian Muslims are Hindus – Hindustan Times

An RSS-backed organisation of genealogists is undertaking an ambitious academic exercise to prove that most Muslims in India are converts from Hinduism, a move that has met with robust scepticism from some social scientists and Islamic scholars. The Akhil Bharatiya Vanshawali Sanrakshan evum Samvardhan Sansthan ABVSSS says it will use oral interviews, historical records, genetic […]

27 Oct, 2014

Welcome aboard Israel’s apartheid bus – Haaretz

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has instructed that Palestinian laborers be prohibited from using Israeli public transportation to travel between their homes in the West Bank and work in Israel. According to the report by Chaim Levinson in Haaretz on Sunday, Palestinian laborers will not be allowed to board buses traveling directly between central Israel and […]

27 Oct, 2014

Saudi King Orders Free Treatment For Disabled People

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 October 2014 (03 Muharram 1436). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE Malaysian handicraft […]

26 Oct, 2014

Bringing Western Depocrisy to Hong Kong

By David Ferguson

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), October 21, 2014 – The Western media have secured their prize. Just as it seemed that the Hong Kong Occupy demonstrations were about to peter out, evidence emerged that one of the protestors had been detained and beaten by police. The officers accused have been suspended, and an investigation is under […]

26 Oct, 2014

Ecuador’s FM Patino on global corporations: Transnational misconduct must end — RT Op-Edge

Transnational corporations have abused their privileges leading to “an unprecedented level of social and environmental injustice,” said Ecuador’s FM Ricardo Patino in his article calling on all nations to hold such companies accountable for their actions: Ecuador has undergone a profound social, economic and political transformation over the past seven years, prioritizing the needs and […]

26 Oct, 2014

Putin: The US is to blame for almost all the world’s major conflicts – The Independent

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the US of undermining global stability, and warned that the world will face new wars if Washington does not respect the interests of other nations. During a speech in the Russian city of Sochi, the President argued that while Moscow does not see Washington as a threat US foreign […]

26 Oct, 2014

Bloodied and crumbling sculptures installed in destroyed Gaza neighbourhood – The Independent

Broken, crumbling and splattered with “blood”, these haunting sculptures have been made by an artist in Gaza to show the pain of conflict. The 50-day war between Israel and Hamas earlier this year left more than 2,200 people dead and razed thousands of homes in the narrow strip to the ground. Most of the casualties […]

26 Oct, 2014

​When lies and half-truths rule the Washington op-ed pages, danger lurks — RT Op-Edge

In the West, Russian media is often accused of propaganda. If this really is the aim of the Russian press, they aren’t remotely as good at it as the Washington Post. Let’s talk about propaganda and the Western media’s use of ‘star’ columnists to spout it. Let’s, especially, focus on when that vitriol is deliberately […]

25 Oct, 2014

Modi’s Idea of India – NYTimes.com

Mr. Modi doesn’t seem to know that India’s reputation as a “golden bird” flourished during the long centuries when it was allegedly enslaved by Muslims. A range of esteemed scholars — from Sheldon Pollock to Jonardon Ganeri — have demonstrated beyond doubt that this period before British rule witnessed some of the greatest achievements in […]

25 Oct, 2014

Is India truly secular or are we boxing Muslims into a corner? – Hindustan Times

Some of the language used by the MIM supporters and candidates creating a new state constituency of the Muslim-Right mirrored the swipes at “pseudo-secularism” first fashioned by the Hindu-Right on the opposite side of the trenches. Waris Pathan, the advocate-turned-legislator from Byculla, dismissed what he called the performance of the “so called secular parties”. Muslims […]

25 Oct, 2014

21 countries sign up as founding members of Asia’s first infrastructure bank

By Zheng Yangpeng

Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2014-10-24 – A milestone agreement for the structure of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has been reached, with 21 Asian countries, including India, stepping forward as founding members. An intergovernmental memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday morning, opening the way for the formal establishment of the China-proposed financial body that will […]

24 Oct, 2014

In Pictures: Aceh Marks 10 Years Since One of the World’s Worst Natural Disasters

Imtiaz Muqbil

Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Ten years after the Dec 26, 2004, which devastated huge swathes of coastline and the city of Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Indonesia, the city is hosting its first travel show, the Tourism Indonesia Mart & Expo. Attended by 60 buyers from 18 countries and 60 sellers from various parts […]

23 Oct, 2014

Pollution choking China’s inbound tourism industry

By Su Zhou

Beijing, (China Daily), 2014-10-22 – China’s inbound tourism market is still struggling to bounce back in the midst of rising concerns about issues such as air pollution, according to a new report from the China Tourism Academy. The number of inbound tourists reached 129.08 million in 2013, down 2.51 percent year-on-year, the report said. About […]

23 Oct, 2014

Chinese commentary: Out of the Global New Normal – New G7 vs Old G7

By Yao Xinyu

Gao Yinan (People’s Daily Online), October 20, 2014 – There is a strong possibility that the seven new emerging market economies are surpassing the seven old industrial countries. The total GDP of Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey will exceed the total of the old Group of Seven. New Normal is a term in […]

23 Oct, 2014

Israel Denies Palestinians Construction Permits, Demolishes Homes in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, October 21, 2014 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities Tuesday demolished three Palestinian homes in addition to three animal sheds in the Jerusalem district neighborhood of al-Tour, under the pretext of construction without a permit, according to local sources. The three houses, made of tinplate, shelter the Bedouin family of Zara’i residing in East Jerusalem, […]

23 Oct, 2014

EU warns Israel not to cross “red lines” in West Bank

JERUSALEM, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) has demarcated “red lines” for Israel regarding its settlement policy in the West Bank, warning Israel not to make moves that would jeopardize the creation of a Palestinian state, the Ha’aretz daily reported Wednesday. Following a series of controversial moves by the Israeli government in recent […]

23 Oct, 2014

How Barcelona’s homeless are guiding tourists round the city’s underbelly | theguardian.com

Juan knows Barcelona’s downtown very well; he has spent four years sleeping rough on its streets. An incident with drugs had brought about his deportation from Germany, where he was subsequently banned from living or working for a decade. The Andalusian found himself all alone, back in a country that was no less strange despite […]

21 Oct, 2014

Israeli society sick with violence – country’s president — RT News

Israel is suffering from an epidemic of violence that must be treated, the country’s President Reuven Rivlin said. After the latest bloody conflict in Gaza, Jews and Arabs seem to have lost the capacity for dialogue, as relations have reached a new low. “It is time to honestly admit that Israeli society is sick – […]

21 Oct, 2014

Philippines President: Never allow mankind to suffer horrors of war | Manila Bulletin

President Aquino called on wartime allies and erstwhile foes to commit to peace and never allow mankind to suffer the same terrors and losses yesterday during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the historic Leyte Gulf Landing in Palo. “Beyond cataloguing the horrors of war, let us honor the peace that has reigned among […]

21 Oct, 2014

Why and how has multicultural India become racist? – Hindustan Times

On October 15, Michael Lamjathang Haokip, a 26-year-old Manipuri youth, was attacked by a mob and asked to speak in Kannada in Bangalore. He was reminded during the scuffle that he ‘was not in China, but India’. The very next day, in Delhi’s Sikanderpur area, two Naga youths were mercilessly thrashed with cricket bats and […]

20 Oct, 2014

Jeddah Mosque Becomes Disabled-Friendly

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 20 October 2014 (26 Dhul Ḥijjah 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS: TOURISM MALAYSIA NOW YOU CAN BUY EXQUISITE MALAYSIAN HANDICRAFTS ONLINE […]