2 Sep, 2014

Being Palestinian Got Me Barred from Visiting Palestine | Alternet

By Amanda Michelle This is my first time at the Israeli-controlled border between Palestine and Jordan. I am traveling with 15 young Arab-Americans, mostly Palestinian, to do community service work and connect with our heritage and homeland.​ We have arrived at the Allenby Bridge anxious & apprehensive, having heard countless stories of harassment by Israeli […]

2 Sep, 2014

UK PM gives spy agencies power to vet airline flight lists – The Guardian

David Cameron will make it easier for intelligence agencies to access information about airline passengers and announce measures to intensify cooperation with Turkey and Germany as the government moves to stem the flow of British-born jihadis travelling to and from Syria and Iraq. As the king of Saudi Arabia warned that terror groups would attack […]

1 Sep, 2014

Spanish Chain To Help Convert Oman’s Forts, Castles Into Hotels

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 01 September 2014 (06 Dhul Qi’dah 1435). 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 […]

31 Aug, 2014

Israeli propaganda in a changing media landscape | GulfNews.com

Palestinian losses were no longer hidden behind dull statistics, but were there for everyone to see. And the culprit was the Israeli army, dropping bombs and firing missiles indiscriminately. Indeed, the more than 2,100 Palestinians killed and more than 10,000 injured served as social media content, which Israeli propaganda, despite its fair amount of tweeting […]

30 Aug, 2014

Israel’s Controversial Palestinian Policy Polarizes American Jewish Community | Alternet

The rising tensions between the supporters of Israel’s use of military force and the dissenters has led to an unprecedented polarization in the American Jewish community as Operation Protective Edge continues without a permanent cease fire, much less visible prospects for the moribund peace process. While #IfNotNow’s actions and protests thus far have been tiny—numbering […]

30 Aug, 2014

The way we work is insane – Sydney Morning Herald

There’s a clever scene in the movie Con Air in which a psychopath talks fondly of famous murderers. Nicholas Cage eventually snaps, labelling them insane. The psychopath responds: “What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to […]

30 Aug, 2014

Stopping the boss from following you home – Sydney Morning Herald

There is a certain kind of person for whom the phrase “work-life balance” is meaningless, because work is life, and life is work. The body may be home with the dog and the TV, but the mind is still a whirr of stock options and invoices and client meetings; the clock may have ticked past […]

29 Aug, 2014

MH17, Gaza and the ‘Genius’ of Western Propaganda – English pravda.ru

Not a month goes by without the West invoking yet another affront to humanity, another crime against humanity, another wave of sanctions, or yet another UN Security Council resolution. This is what North Korea would be like if it is ever armed with social media. Occasionally, we were treated to a new Weapons of Mass […]

29 Aug, 2014

The harsh realities of American fatigue – Joschka Fischer, GulfNews.com

The chaotic consequences of the gradual disintegration of Pax Americana are becoming increasingly clear. For seven decades, the United States safeguarded a global framework, which — however imperfect, and regardless of how many mistakes the superpower made — generally guaranteed a minimum level of stability. At the very least, Pax Americana was an essential component […]

29 Aug, 2014

Indonesian President: World Not in Good Shape but “Global Conscience” is Emerging

PROF. DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

Full text of a Keynote Speech At The Sixth Global Forum Of The United Nations Alliance Of Civilizations, Bali, 29 August 2014 Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim Assalaamu’alaikumwa-Rahmatullahiwa-Barakatuh, Om Swastyastu, Peace Be upon Us All, Your Excellency United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, My Dear Friend, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste, Your Excellency, Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Minister for Foreign […]

29 Aug, 2014

Israeli PM loses support of young American Jews | GulfNews.com

As Palestinians and Israelis once again sat down to negotiate a long truce, if not a peace settlement, after Israel launched in early July its genocide against the besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, a significant development emerged in an Israeli poll. It showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval rating had plunged to 38 per […]

29 Aug, 2014

No victory for Israel despite weeks of devastation – Robert Fisk, The Independent

Hamas – the vicious, horrible, terrorist Hamas with whom “we” (as in “the West”, Tony Blair, Israel, the US and all honourable men and women) cannot talk – has indeed won a victory. Israel said it must be disarmed. It has not been disarmed. Israel said it must be smashed/destroyed/rooted out. It hasn’t been smashed/destroyed/rooted […]

29 Aug, 2014

The Continual, Unconscionable Failure to Punish Israel for its Crimes Against Humanity | Dissident Voice

In view of Israel’s latest diabolical and devastating spree codenamed Operation Protective Edge — some 17,000 homes bombed and destroyed, over 2,000 civilians killed including 500 children, and over 500,000 people made homeless — the time for that reckoning has to be now! People everywhere, including all those Americans who are either politically illiterate or […]

29 Aug, 2014

India trapped in communal cauldron; Uttar Pradesh atop five worst-hit states – Hindustan Times

Repeated communal flare-ups have put the heat on the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre, but data available with Parliament show such incidents are not new. UP leads the table of five worst-hit states between 2009 and 2013. In these five years, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat have witnessed 2,389 cases of communal […]

28 Aug, 2014

This war was not a war, it was a massacre – Mondoweiss

Mohammad J. Abulriban and Justin Randle on August 27, 2014 11 Comments – See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2014/08/this-not-massacre.html?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=84ac576a04-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-84ac576a04-398454497#sthash.goYCOUaY.dpuf Mohammad J. Abulriban and Justin Randle on August 27, 2014 11 Comments – See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2014/08/this-not-massacre.html?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=84ac576a04-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-84ac576a04-398454497#sthash.goYCOUaY.dpufMohammad J. Abulriban and Justin Randle on August 27, 2014 11 Comments – See more at: http://mondoweiss.net/2014/08/this-not-massacre.html?utm_source=Mondoweiss+List&utm_campaign=84ac576a04-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b86bace129-84ac576a04-398454497#sthash.goYCOUaY.dpuf Mohammad J. Abulriban and Justin […]

28 Aug, 2014

Chile Files Lawsuit against Israeli Prime Minister – Wake Up From Your Slumber

2014-08-25 – On Friday, Chilean congressman Hugo Gutierrez (Communist Party) filed a lawsuit against the Israeli Prime Minister for “crimes against humanity”. He was accompanied by the Palestinian Federation of Chile. The congressman noted that various international organizations, such as the United Nations, have already described the Israeli attacks as “crimes against humanity”. Noone should […]

28 Aug, 2014

India: 12 Modi Cabinet members face criminal cases, Uma Bharti tops list – Hindustan Times

12 Team Modi members face criminal cases, Uma Bharti tops the list Read the rest: 12 Team Modi members face criminal cases, Uma Bharti tops the list – Hindustan Times.

27 Aug, 2014

PressTV – The US government’s creeping war on journalists

As states move to hide details of government deals with Wall Street, and as politicians come up with new arguments to defend secrecy, a study released earlier this month revealed that many government information officers block specific journalists they don’t like from accessing information. The news comes as 47 federal inspectors general sent a letter […]

27 Aug, 2014

China acts to boost safety of its students abroad

By Zhao Xinying

Beijing, 2014-08-25, (China Daily) – Concerns about the safety of students studying overseas have led specialists from education, foreign affairs and student associations to focus on better preparation for those planning to study in other countries. The Ministry of Education has held more than 60 sessions this year in 27 cities to boost student awareness […]

27 Aug, 2014

China plans to further expand 72-hour visa policy for foreigners

By Su Zhou (China Daily)

Beijing, China Daily, 2014-08-22 – China is aiming to attract more overseas tourists by expanding a 72-hour visa-free policy for foreigners and launching more promotional websites in a variety of languages. Officials are considering measures to expedite visa processing and develop the system of visa-free stays for international transit passengers, the State Council said in a […]

26 Aug, 2014

British film-maker Ken Loach calls for cultural boycott of Israel – theguardian.com

Ken Loach has called for a boycott of all cultural and sporting events supported by the Israeli state, and condemned the support offered to Israel by the US and UK. Speaking at the Sarajevo film festival, Loach was presenting the Katrin Cartlidge Foundation award to two documentary-makers from Gaza, Abdel Salam Shehadeh and Ashraf Mashharawi. […]

25 Aug, 2014

Indian, Pakistani film industries need to grow together: Shaan – DAWN.COM

Pakistani actor and current megastar, Shaan Shahid’s, upcoming action thriller film, Operation 021 has gained a lot of media attention as fans eagerly await its release on Eid-ul-Azha. The film tells the story of an Afghani man (Ayub Khoso) and his Pakistani ally (Shaan), who collaborate in a plan to save both their countries – […]

25 Aug, 2014

Australian taxmen cracking down on cash economy, cafes, restaurants – Sydney Morning Herald

The Tax Office is cracking down on the black economy, targeting businesses that are not declaring cash revenues, from restaurants through to home cleaners, in a bid to bring billions of dollars back into the tax net. The Tax Office told Fairfax Media it had stepped up audits of small businesses including cafes and restaurants, […]

25 Aug, 2014

Fewer satisfied with life: survey | The Japan Times

A life satisfaction survey conducted by the government shows the number of people who claim to be content with their lives dropped 0.7 percentage point from last year to 70.3 percent, the first decline in six years. By contrast, 29 percent of the respondents said they were dissatisfied with their lives, up 1.4 points, findings […]

25 Aug, 2014

High-Tech To The Rescue For Indian Haj Pilgrims

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 25 August 2014 (28 Shawwal 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre in Malaysia has […]

24 Aug, 2014

UK Liberal Democrat Party plans to widen disclosure of executive pay – The Observer

All companies with more than 250 employees should be forced to publish the salaries of their highest earners and told to consult their employees on executive pay, Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat business secretary, will say on Sunday. The radical idea, which would involve new legislation, is to be included in the Liberal Democrats’ election […]

23 Aug, 2014

In photos: Gaza families face horror and devastation | The Electronic Intifada

After nearly twenty days of war, the southern Gaza neighborhood of Khuzaa, near Khan Younis, was still off limits on 26 July. Israeli ground forces fired warning shots at neighborhood residents who had gathered one hundred meters from the entrance. They hoped in vain to look for missing relatives and check on the state of […]

23 Aug, 2014

Canada’s tax-deductible support for Israel’s crimes | The Electronic Intifada

It’s unknown exactly how many Canadians are participating in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza but an Israeli military spokesperson has said there were 139 Canadians in the Israeli military in 2013. The Nefesh B’Nefesh Lone Soldiers Program, an organization supporting the Israeli military, has referred to 145 Canadians in the Israeli military. That figure, however, […]

21 Aug, 2014

Int’l students now eligible for residency in Korea via manufacturing jobs

By Yoon Sojung

Seoul, Aug 19, 2014, (Korea.net) — The range of jobs through which international students become eligible for permanent residency will be widened to include the manufacturing industry. Non-Korean graduates who have worked in the manufacturing sector for more than five years can now become entitled for permanent residency in Korea. The Ministry of Trade, Industry […]

21 Aug, 2014

Korea unveils tourism mega-projects, visa relaxation to promote investment

By Limb Jae-un

Seoul, Aug 20, 2014 (Korea.net) – The government intends to support the establishment of integrated tourist resorts that feature hotels, casinos and performance venues, as well as for-profit hospitals on Jeju Island and in free economic zones across the country. Also, beginning next year, Chinese tourists will be allowed to file group visa applications online […]

21 Aug, 2014

Stunning whistleblower disclosure: ′U.S. National Security Agency’s main motives: power and money′ – DW.DE

DW: In your testimony, you described the NSA as “totalitarian,” and many commentators say that Germany’s Stasi history has made the country more sensitive to NSA revelations. But others have suggested this comparison is too easy. After all, the Stasi also targeted intellectuals and general writers opposed to the East German regime. Sure, they haven’t […]

20 Aug, 2014

The Rush for Africa’s Resources: A Chinese Perspective

By Chen Weihua

(China Daily) 2014-08-15 – I laughed it off when news came last week that US President Barack Obama had made pointed remarks about China’s activities in Africa and played up the United States’ role on the continent. Obama said “we don’t look to Africa simply for its natural resources, we recognize Africa for its greatest […]

19 Aug, 2014

UK Paedophile advised Home Office on reforms to children’s care homes – The Independent

A paedophile who worked as a child protection and care worker expert advised the Home Office on children’s homes, it has been revealed. Peter Righton, who died in 2007, advised the government on reforms to the care home system in 1970, for a report that detailed how new homes should be controlled by local government. […]

18 Aug, 2014

PressTV – Korean film directors slam Israel ‘war crime’

World-renowned Korean film directors have thrown their weights behind a petition, which has denounced Israel for “war crime.” The petition has been signed by 100 people, including Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Stoker, Joint Security Area) and Ryoo Seung-wan (The Berlin File, The Unjust). The other signatories comprise academics, legal experts, and religious figures. Mincing no words […]

18 Aug, 2014

Russia to set up national hotel booking service – English pravda.ru

The Russian government plans to set up a national system for booking hotels and tourist services. The national system would be similar to the well-known Booking.com. Russian Federal Agency for Tourism, Rosturizm and the Ministry for Communications were entrusted with the task, the Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote. The main objective of the national system, specified in […]

18 Aug, 2014

EU sanctions against Russia strangle European economy slowly but surely – English pravda.ru

The German economy, for the first time since 2012, dropped by 0.2 percent in the second quarter, resulting in the absence of GDP growth in the eurozone. The Ukrainian crisis and the trade war with Russia have played a significant role in the setback, which casts doubts on the plans to restore the growth in […]

18 Aug, 2014

′Peace is the only way to give Gaza safe water′ – DW.DE

DW: How has the current bombardment affected water infrastructure and supply in Gaza? Amir Dakkak: Since July 29, almost all of the population has little or no access to clean water. Three of the five wastewater treatment plants have been hit directly. That led to sewage going into the Mediterranean Sea directly, up to 90,000 […]

18 Aug, 2014

Russian sanctions create surplus of European produce – DW.DE

Volunteers at a food bank in the Dutch town of Maassluis diligently pack ripe tomatoes and chicory into little bags for those who need it. They only open once a week, and when they arrived this week, it was to find a donation of 32 boxes of fresh produce. Dutch farmers are not the only […]

18 Aug, 2014

Ethnic minorities marginalized in German media – DW.DE

Ever since the shooting death of Michael Brown, the racism debate has dominated the US media. But German media also often perpetuate stereotypes of ethnic minorities, instead of breaking down prejudices. Read the rest: Ethnic minorities marginalized in German media | Germany | DW.DE | 18.08.2014.

18 Aug, 2014

′Don′t forget the trauma of people in Gaza′ – DW.DE

Nada Doumani is a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross. Now the ceasefire is holding, but one has to remember that when hostilities stop it does not mean that things are all right. One has to remember that Gaza already was in a very difficult situation. The population is alienated and there […]

18 Aug, 2014

UK CEOs earning 143 times more than their company averages, new pay study reveals – The Guardian

The bosses of Britain’s 100 biggest listed companies are earning on average 143 times more than their staff, according to data that exposes the growing imbalance between how the nation’s workforce and its business leaders are rewarded. The pay gap is widest at Rangold Resources, where boss Mark Bristow was paid £4.4m last year, nearly […]

18 Aug, 2014

BBC News – Dutchman returns Holocaust medal after family deaths in Gaza

A Dutchman honoured by Israel for hiding a Jewish child during World War Two has handed back his medal after six of his relatives were killed in an Israeli air strike on Gaza. Henk Zanoli, 91, wrote to the Israeli embassy in The Hague to say he could no longer hold the honour. He said […]

17 Aug, 2014

Trade Expo Indonesia 2014 to be held October 8-12

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 18 August 2014 (21 Shawwal 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre in Malaysia has […]

16 Aug, 2014

How Israel blocks travel by Palestinian academics and students | Mondoweiss

By Nazmi Al-Masri Over the one-year period from July 2013 to July 2014, I was supposed to participate in six international academic conferences and meetings as a partner in four international projects: three EU-funded projects (two from Erasmus-Mundus, one Tempus) and one British Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded project. Because of the siege and the […]

16 Aug, 2014

Regulators: Mega-Banks Like Citigroup and Goldman Sachs Still a Giant Threat to America | Alternet

August 13, 2014 | We hear a lot of big talk about how Dodd-Frank has made the financial system safer. That law was enacted to make certain that the country never gets blown apart by a financial crisis like the one in 2008. But does anybody really believe it? The bank regulators sure don’t. The […]

13 Aug, 2014

Gaza’s children: ‘Israel creating a new generation of enemies’ – The Guardian

Doctors and mental health specialists in Gaza can draw on a bitter store of experience of treating traumatised children. After Operation Cast Lead, a study by the Gaza community mental health programme (GCMHP) found that 75% of children over the age of six were suffering from one or more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, with […]

12 Aug, 2014

Israel attacks university — with bombs and lies | The Electronic Intifada

By Rami Almeghari On Saturday, the Israeli military boasted of bombing a “weapons development center” at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). I teach journalism at this university. The section of the campus where I work is close to the administrative department, the target of Israel’s dawn attack. That department hosts teaching staff belonging to […]

12 Aug, 2014

Be warned, BJP-RSS combine’s agenda is to divide and rule – Hindustan Times

A disturbing tendency visible during the election campaign appears to have become the perfected strategy of the RSS/BJP now in government with an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, albeit with a mere 31% share of those who voted. This tendency, true to their character, is to speak/act with a forked tongue — one for […]

12 Aug, 2014

Hamas wants Israel to allow Gaza airport and seaport – The Washington Post

Hamas, as well as the people in the Gaza Strip, want something big in exchange for a truce with Israel. They want a seaport. And an airport. They want movement between their seaside territory and the outside world. “Everything is ready. We have the engineering studies, the business plans, environmental assessments, all that is needed. […]

12 Aug, 2014

Gaza homes ‘uninhabitable’ as tens of thousands come back to rubble – The Guardian

Tens of thousands of people across Gaza returned to their homes on Monday as a tenuous ceasefire held and hopes rose of an end to the month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Local officials and humanitarian workers began to inspect the latest damage the war had caused in the overcrowded enclave, with assessments indicating earlier […]

12 Aug, 2014

Barneys will pay $525K to settle racial profiling allegations – The Washington Post

Upscale retailer Barneys New York will pay $525,000 in penalties to settle racial profiling complaints. The settlement came after a nine-month-long investigation launched by the New York State Attorney’s office when two black customers at the flagship store on Madison Avenue said they were falsely accused of credit card fraud. New York State Attorney General […]

12 Aug, 2014

South African Editor: Africa doesn’t need U.S. as benefactor

By Ellis Mnyandur

(China Daily), 2014-08-12 —  By all accounts, the United States – which generally prides itself on being a trendsetter – is essentially a “Johnny Come Lately” to the “Africa Rising” story. As if to make amends, US President Barack Obama held the largest ever gathering of African heads of state and business leaders in Washington […]

12 Aug, 2014

Essay: The West on the wrong path – Handelsblatt Publisher

We interrupt our own train of thought: “History is not repeating itself!” But can we be so sure about that these days? In view of the war events in the Crimean and eastern Ukraine, the heads of states and governments of the West suddenly have no more questions and all the answers. The US Congress […]

12 Aug, 2014

Shanghai requires five fast-food chains to disclose suppliers

By WU YIYAO

Beijing, 2014-08-11, (China Daily) – Shanghai’s food and drug administration is requiring five restaurant chains to release information on their suppliers on their websites, according to a city government circular released on Saturday. The five enterprises－Yum! Brands, McDonald’s, Dicos, Burger King and Carl’s Jr.－were all involved in a food scandal that exposed Shanghai Husi Food […]

12 Aug, 2014

Chinese commentary: Do not let U.S. stoke disputes amongst ASEAN

By Zhao Minghao

Beijing, 2014-08-12 (China Daily) – The annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held recently in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, with the disputes and situation in the South China Sea on the agenda. This is not the first time that the ARF has touched upon the South China Sea disputes. […]

12 Aug, 2014

U.S. airlines hiring more flight attendants fluent in Chinese

By ADELINA ZHANG

New York (China Daily USA), 2014-08-12 – As the number of flights between China and the US increases, US airlines are looking to hire more Chinese speaking flight attendants to better serve their customers. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines are among the US carriers seeking flight attendants fluent in Chinese. Some of the […]

12 Aug, 2014

U.S. top destination for fleeing Chinese fugitives

By Zhang Yan

Beijing, (Xinhua), 2014-08-11 – More than 150 economic fugitives from China, most of whom are corrupt officials or face allegations of corruption, remain at large in the United States, according to an official from the Ministry of Public Security. “The US has become the top destination for Chinese fugitives fleeing the law,” said Liao Jinrong, […]

11 Aug, 2014

US$100M ADB Loans For Bangladesh Railways Upgrade

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 11 August 2014 (14 Shawwal 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre in Malaysia has […]

8 Aug, 2014

Checks on foreigners stepped up in Beijing

By Cao Yin

Beijing, (China Daily), August 06, 2014  – Immigration officers in Beijing have intensified inspections of foreigners as an increasing number have started to use China to enter third countries illegally. Ji Lixia, assistant head of the Beijing office of China Immigration Inspection, said the number of foreigners being sent back to their home countries has […]

8 Aug, 2014

Nalanda University to reopen from September 1 – Hindustan Times

Nalanda University is set to kick off its first academic programme from September 1, reviving an institution that was in existence long before Harvard and Cambridge were set up. The ministry of external affairs will support six students from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam at Nalanda, which has been revived by a group of scholars […]

7 Aug, 2014

The science of alcohol: The impact on your liver and heart – The Independent

The journey begins with your alcoholic drink slipping past your lips, down your oesophagus and into your stomach, dancing its way around your gastric juices. For those of you drinking a carbonated drink your alcohol will be absorbed faster as the pressure increases inside your stomach, forcing alcohol into your blood stream. This compared to […]

7 Aug, 2014

We now spend more time in front of a screen than in bed, Ofcom study shows – The Independent

Britons now spend more time watching TV, using their mobile and on the computer than they do sleeping, according to new research. The study, by communications regulator Ofcom, found that the average UK adult uses technology for eight hours and 41 minutes a day, 20 minutes longer than they spend in bed. The research also […]

7 Aug, 2014

Tensions Flare Between Sikhs and NYPD After Racially Motivated Hit and Run | Village Voice

It was shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Sandeep Singh and three of his friends were crossing 99th Street at 101 Avenue in Richmond Hill, Queens when they crossed paths with a man in a pick-up truck. Witnesses say the driver called Singh a “terrorist,” and yelled at him to “go back to your country.” Singh, […]

7 Aug, 2014

Over 100 Middle East Studies Scholars, Librarians Call for Boycott of Israeli Academic Institutions

As employees in institutes of higher learning from around the world, we have a particular interest in and responsibility to respond to the obstacles to the right to higher education that the Israeli state has created for Palestinians both inside Israel and in the occupied territories. In the past two months alone, Israeli forces have […]

7 Aug, 2014

Newsweek: Israel Flagged as Top Spy Threat to U.S. in New Snowden/NSA Document

Israel was singled out in 2007 as a top espionage threat against the U.S. government, including its intelligence services, in a newly published National Security Agency (NSA) document obtained by fugitive leaker Edward Snowden, according to a news report Monday. The document also identified Israel, along with North Korea, Cuba and India, as a “leading […]

7 Aug, 2014

Mindanao connectivity to ASEAN revived | Manila Bulletin

Mindanao is being revived as the new gateway to Southeast Asia this time with more vigor with real connectivity by air and sea underway on hopes that manufacturing operations will further thrive with new power capacities coming in. Rey Billena, regional governor for Mindanao of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), told reporters […]

7 Aug, 2014

Could the debate over Israel in the U.S. be changing? – The Washington Post

It may be time to ask whether the political status of Israel within the U.S. could be changing. It won’t happen overnight, and it may not happen at all, but it’s entirely possible that the issue of U.S. support for Israel could go from being a matter of complete unanimity in Congress, and among political […]

7 Aug, 2014

A Chinese word to the ‘world policeman’: Who wants it, anyway?

By Hua Yiwen

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), August 05, 2014 – In an interview with the highly-rated CBS program Face the Nation, former United States Secretary Madeleine Albright expressed the view that the world is in a mess, and stated that the U.S. no longer wants to act as the ‘world policeman’. The U.S. enjoyed its role as […]

7 Aug, 2014

Mainland Chinese visitors lose shopping enthusiasm for Singapore

By Brian Leonal

Singapore, (China Daily) August 05, 2014 – Retailers billed it as the Great Singapore Sale. Chinese tourist Zhu Liang bought it, only to regret it afterward. “We will never come here again on purpose to shop,” said Zhu, a 35-year-old businessman from Hangzhou, in East China’s Zhejiang province. Visiting the city during the final days […]

5 Aug, 2014

U.S. Has Illegal Muslim ‘Blacklist,’ ACLU Says | Alternet

August 4, 2014 | LOS ANGELES (CN) – The United States violates its own immigration laws through an under-the-radar “blacklist” that denies citizenship, green cards and political asylum to thousands of people, including innocent people placed a terrorist watch list, longtime legal-resident Muslims claim in Federal Court. Lead plaintiff Reem Muhanna, et al. claim that […]

5 Aug, 2014

O.P. Rana: Please, stop bombing Gaza for the sake of children

By Op Rana (China Daily)

2014-08-04 – “Please stop! I ask you with all my heart, it’s time to stop. Stop, please! Brothers and sisters, never war, never war! I am thinking above all of children, who are deprived of the hope of a worthwhile life, of a future … Dead children, injured children, mutilated children, orphaned children, children whose […]

5 Aug, 2014

Chinese commentator: US must drop bias to help resolve Israel-Palestine crisis

By Chen Weihua (China Daily)

WASHINGTON DC., 2014-08-01 – The news from Gaza of innocent Palestinian civilians, including many women and children, being killed by Israeli fire is heartbreaking. The shelling on Wednesday of a United Nations school serving as a shelter caused the deaths of some 20 people and injured more than 100. An initial UN assessment concluded that […]

5 Aug, 2014

In war torn Gaza, traumatised children dream of going back home – Hindustan Times

Ask any child in Gaza to do a drawing and the resulting picture is likely to be a house being bombed by a fighter plane. In the strife-torn Palestinian enclave, thousands of children are suffering from the trauma of war but resources to help them are scarce. At a school in the northern town of […]

4 Aug, 2014

Another Snowden leak reveals massive scale of US aid to Israel — RT News

Further support involved multiple UN resolutions shielding Israel from international condemnation and enabling it – something Greenwald sees as peculiar, given the American media’s shocked reaction at how the Middle East situation supposedly takes on a life of its own, despite everyone’s best efforts. “The new Snowden documents illustrate a crucial fact: Israeli aggression would […]

4 Aug, 2014

Does Religion Affect Economic Growth and Happiness? Evidence from Ramadan

Filipe R. Campante, David H. Yanagizawa-Drott NBER Working Paper No. 19768 Issued in December 2013 We study the economic effects of religious practices in the context of the observance of Ramadan fasting, one of the central tenets of Islam. To establish causality, we exploit variation in the length of the fasting period due to the […]

4 Aug, 2014

Independent Jewish Voices Canada: Israel actions fomenting anti-Semitism

Independent Jewish Voices – Canada (IJV) deplores credible reports of anti-Semitism, such as Jewish-owned shops in Sarcelles, France that were recently ransacked. IJV condemns in the strongest of terms, all racially-motivated violence related to the Israeli attack on Gaza. It is important to understand that Israel’s violent crimes against an occupied, captive Arab Palestinian population, […]

4 Aug, 2014

10 Most Shameless Ways U.S. Politicians Are Pandering to Israel | Alternet

With each passing day, Israeli military operations perpetrate new horrors in Gaza. One day it is the bombing of Gaza’s main power plant. The next day it is the shelling of a United Nations school that kills 16 civilians who thought they were in a safe place. But the U.S. political class–save for the exceptions […]

4 Aug, 2014

Israel’s “Final Solution” for Gaza and the Cadaverous Conscience of the West

With very few exceptions, the western press’ headlines are designed to spare Israel, rather than to inform. When the Israelis shell a United Nations’ school in which some one thousand women and children were seeking shelter, and kill or injure scores of them, the CNN headline reads, “Strike hits shelter in Gaza.” That is, it […]

4 Aug, 2014

MH-17: Pravda’s 11 Questions to the Global Aviation Industry

The Malaysian Airlines MH 17 flight over an active war zone in Ukraine has been chalked up by Western news agencies as a terrorist strike by President Putin, as a terrorist strike by Russia, as a terrorist strike by Pro-Russian forces. Predictably. Now let us examine the facts and let the law suits begin for […]

4 Aug, 2014

Radioactive cars from Japan turning up in Central Asia | Autoweek

A total of 70 used cars imported from Japan and found to have increased levels of radiation are being stored in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and cannot be sent back, according to Silk Road Reporters citing local news outlets. Car retailers in Kyrgyzstan, who have been importing significant numbers of used cars from Japan for resale in […]

4 Aug, 2014

Pravda Begins to Expose the Massive Federated, US-Based Pro-Israel Network

The Jewish Federation and the Jewish United Fund are two of the donors to UANI. These nonprofit organizations are part of the wider US-based, pro-Israel juggernaut that shapes American national security strategy for Israel. Through connections, money, position and power they seek to immunize Israel from criticism for its mendacious, militaristic policies. They have succeeded […]

4 Aug, 2014

Revealed – Britain’s ‘role’ in arming Israel – The Independent

The Government has been accused of failing to regulate arms sales to Israel following evidence that weapons containing British-made components are being used in the bombardment of Gaza. Documents shown to The Independent reveal that arms export licences worth £42m have been granted to 130 British defence manufacturers since 2010 to sell military equipment to […]

4 Aug, 2014

Dress the Gaza situation up all you like, but the truth hurts – Robert Fisk – The Independent

There was a time when our politicians and media had one principal fear when covering Middle East wars: that no one should ever call them anti-Semitic. So corrosive, so vicious was this charge against any honest critic of Israel that merely to bleat the word “disproportionate” – as in any normal wartime exchange rate of […]

4 Aug, 2014

How can Americans justify images such as this? – Brian Eno – The Independent

By Brian Eno I was in Israel last year with Mary [a mutual friend]. Her sister works for UNRWA [the UN agency for Palestinian refugees] in Jerusalem. Showing us round were a Palestinian – Shadi, who is her sister’s husband and a professional guide – and Oren Jacobovitch, an Israeli Jew, an ex-major from the […]

4 Aug, 2014

The death of privacy – The Observer

We have come to the end of privacy; our private lives, as our grandparents would have recognised them, have been winnowed away to the realm of the shameful and secret. To quote ex-tabloid hack Paul McMullan, “privacy is for paedos”. Insidiously, through small concessions that only mounted up over time, we have signed away rights […]

4 Aug, 2014

IDB Calls for Nominations: Islamic Economics Prize 2015

Compiled by Imtiaz Muqbil & Sana Shamsi

A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 04 August 2014 (07 Shawwal 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre in Malaysia has […]

3 Aug, 2014

Global Trades Union Call for End to Israeli “Excessive Attacks” on Gaza

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION

Brussels, 31 July 2014 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC is horrified at the rising death toll in Gaza, which is now over 1,200 – the vast majority of them innocent civilians. Destruction of civilian and UN infrastructure in recent days, including schools, hospitals and the territory’s only power plant, will have grave ramifications for the Palestinian […]

3 Aug, 2014

Thousands protest in support of Palestinians near White House – The Washington Post

A demonstration drew thousands to the White House and the streets of downtown Washington on Saturday afternoon as participants from across the country called for an end to the continued violence between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. “Free, free Palestine, killing children is a crime,” the crowd chanted, several holding Palestinian flags, cardboard […]

1 Aug, 2014

US hospitals fined millions for unethical acts, Indian ones go free – The Times of India

Jul 28, 2014 – Even as no action has been taken by the Indian government on hospitals giving doctors a cut for referring patients to them and for carrying out unnecessary procedures, in the US more than six hospitals have been fined several million dollars since the beginning of the year for exactly such practices. […]

1 Aug, 2014

U.S. Media’s Pro-Israel Bias: Why Does TV News Look Like a Netanyahu Ad? | Alternet

July 31, 2014 – Here are a few questions you won’t hear asked of the parade of Israeli officials crossing US television screens during the current crisis in Gaza: What would you do if a foreign country was occupying your land? What does it mean that Israeli cabinet ministers deny Palestine’s right to exist? What […]

1 Aug, 2014

Delays at Chinese airports see surge in flight insurance

By Wang Wen

Beijing, (China Daily) July 31, 2014 — Travel agencies have reported brisk sales of flight-delay insurance policies in the past two weeks, especially on routes in the eastern and central parts of China, as a result of an increasing number of flight delays. Ctrip.com International Ltd said on Wednesday that its sales of such policies […]

1 Aug, 2014

Travel & tourism in cross-hairs as anti-Israel boycott takes root in Thailand

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and its commercial, cultural and diplomatic interests, has taken root in Thailand with the strong possibility of expanding across ASEAN and Asia. A preliminary report summarising the status of relations between Thailand and Israel, including an entire chapter devoted to travel and tourism, was […]

31 Jul, 2014

Bolivia declares Israel a ‘terrorist state’ – USA Today

Bolivian President Evo Morales declared Israel a “terrorist state,” Wednesday, because of the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israeli citizens will now be required to obtain a visa before traveling to Bolivia. Previously, under a 1972 agreement, which Morales denounced for being “signed under a dictatorial regime,” Israelis could travel freely into Bolivia without […]

31 Jul, 2014

The most heartbreaking image of the Israel-Gaza conflict?

This could be the most heartbreaking image of the Israel-Gaza conflict yet Click here: This could be the most heartbreaking image of the Israel-Gaza conflict yet.

31 Jul, 2014

The Mendacious Propaganda Israel is Pushing to Justify Its War On Gaza | Alternet

July 30, 2014 | It is time to clarify the real facts on the aggression the Israelis started on the Palestinians. Unfortunately, the Israeli narrative has dominated in the global media. It’s very important to uncover the Israeli narrative and bring facts to the public’s attention. The world needs to differentiate between myths and truth. […]

31 Jul, 2014

The ethical defence to Israel’s actions in Gaza – by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester

by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester Earlier this month the Unite union passed a resolution denouncing Israel as an apartheid regime, supporting boycotts against it and accusing it of “feeling able to commit war crimes with complete impunity”. When Israel launched its latest operation in Gaza, the union issued a statement to “unreservedly condemn the continuing Israeli […]

31 Jul, 2014

Two parallel massacres: Palestine and East Ukraine – English pravda.ru

The Transnational Elite, (i.e. the Western elites based in the G7 countries) with the fascist Junta they installed in Kiev, and the Israeli Zionists, are fully engaged at the moment in carrying out new massacres in East Ukraine and Palestine respectively. These massacres share several important common elements. Firstly, despite the shameless lies of the […]

31 Jul, 2014

Western Sanctions Means that Russia Has to Look East – Minister – RIA Novosti

NOVO OGARYOVO, Moscow Region, July 30 (RIA Novosti) – Russia could loosen the tightening grip of western sanctions on its economy by improving the economic climate in its far-eastern territories, designated as “advanced development zones” in a bill that may be laid before the Duma in autumn, Russia’s Far East Development Minister said Wednesday. Speaking […]

30 Jul, 2014

The consequences of Indian kids eating like the Americans – The Hindu

One of the first declarations of the newly elected government in June was a proposal to ban unhealthy or junk food (defined as food high on fat, sugar and salt) in school canteens across the country. This was followed up with an increase in the prices of soft drinks in the recent budget. This has […]

30 Jul, 2014

To the family of the 1,000th victim of Israel’s genocidal slaughter in Gaza – Ilan Pappe

This is 2014 — the destruction of Gaza is well documented. This is not 1948 when Palestinians had to struggle hard to tell their story of horror; so many of the crimes Zionist committed then where hidden and never came to light, even until today. So my first and simple pledge is to record, inform […]