12 Jul, 2014

US defence agency develops world’s first self-guiding bullet – The Independent

A US military agency has conducted its first successful tests of guided bullets which can track a target regardless of external factors or even where the sniper rifle is aimed. The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an arm of the Department of Defence, is developing a smart .50-calibre bullet which can not only compensate […]

12 Jul, 2014

Why I’m on the brink of burning my Israeli passport – The Independent

She is young. She is pretty. She is a university graduate and a computer engineer. She is also an Israeli Parliamentarian – and the reason why I am on the brink of burning my Israeli passport. Because behind that wide-eyed innocent face lurks the Angel of Death. Ayelet Shaked represents the far-right Jewish Home party […]

12 Jul, 2014

Lotte Hotel refuses to hold party by Japanese embassy

In the latest sign of tension between South Korea and Japan, the luxury Lotte Hotel in Seoul has refused to hold a reception by the Japanese embassy to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Hotel officials said the party, which was scheduled for Friday night and which is usually […]

11 Jul, 2014

Interfaith Alliance: Why an Orthodox rabbi is fasting this Ramadan | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

A few hours into the 10th day of Ramadan, Rabbi Natan Levy was swapping fasting tips with a Muslim fellow passenger aboard the London Northern train line. Specifically, they were debating the merits of having a very large meal before sunrise — a technique adopted by many observant Muslims who are trying to cope with […]

10 Jul, 2014

What’s the U.S. Govt Doing Targeting Civil Rights Leaders? – ACLU

The NSA and FBI are targeting prominent American Muslims, including civil rights activists, academics, and a former government official, we learned in a troubling report released last night. Their emails have been stored, their movements have been monitored, and their relationships have been tracked. No detail has proved too remote for the prying eyes of […]

10 Jul, 2014

U.N. to Confront U.S. on Persistent Racial Discrimination – ACLU

Imagine receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for serving as a go-between in the sale of two small $5 bags of marijuana. That’s exactly what happened to Fate Vincent Winslow, an African American homeless man who says that he accepted the offer of an undercover police officer for a $5 commission in […]

10 Jul, 2014

Gays join Sikhs, Christians, Jews in protesting U.S. surveillance of Muslim-Americans

Imtiaz Muqbil

Four gay, lesbian and transgender rights groups have signed up on a letter of protest sent by a coalition of 44 civil rights, human rights, privacy rights, and faith-based organizations to U.S. President Barack Obama seeking accountability and full disclosure over the U.S. government’s continued discriminatory surveillance of American Muslims. Agreeing that discrimination on the […]

10 Jul, 2014

Rich Chinese travellers set sights on overseas game hunting

By YANG YAO/SU ZHOU

Beijing, (China Daily) – 2014-07-09 – The number of Chinese going abroad for trophy hunting has grown tenfold in the past five years, as wealthy Chinese travelers increasingly seek out wild and exotic experiences. Scott Lupien, CEO of 52 Safari International Hunting Club, a leading outbound hunting company based in Beijing, said that few people […]

10 Jul, 2014

Inside a Goldman Sachs trader’s twilight zone – Sydney Morning Herald

“Let’s be very clear,” Salem testified, “I was one of the most sought-after investment professionals in the mortgage industry.” Goldman Sachs, he claimed, was punishing him for his 2007 “self-evaluation” form, later made public by a US Senate investigation, in which he boasted of having manipulated the market for subprime mortgage bonds so that he […]

9 Jul, 2014

Another Glenn Greenwald Scoop: The Muslim-American Leaders the FBI and NSA Have Been Spying On

The individuals appear on an NSA spreadsheet in the Snowden archives called “FISA recap”—short for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Under that law, the Justice Department must convince a judge with the top-secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that there is probable cause to believe that American targets are not only agents of an international terrorist […]

9 Jul, 2014

Thai Tourism Expenditure Stats Show Europeans are Cheapest Charlies

Imtiaz Muqbil

BANGKOK – With the Thai tourism industry set to shift its KPI targets to expenditure over arrivals, an analysis of the newly released visitor expenditure figures for 2013 shows that Europeans are by far the lowest spenders per person per day. The figures will come as a shock to the system, especially because they show […]

9 Jul, 2014

How to reduce overwork-related deaths – The Japan Times

In its latest session the Diet enacted a law that requires the central government to take measures to prevent deaths resulting from overwork, including suicides. These problems have long been a serious issue in Japanese society, and the legislation won unanimous support of all the parties in both chambers. But the law fails to set […]

9 Jul, 2014

Carrefour exits India, in talks to sell its 5 wholesale stores – Hindustan Times

French retail giant Carrefour on Tuesday said it will exit its India business and has initiated talks with Reliance Retail and Bharti Enterprises to sell its assets in the country. Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer, operates five cash-and-carry wholesale stores in India, and has invested around `300 crore in the country. “Carrefour announced its […]

9 Jul, 2014

Junk food gets encoded in DNA of future children, scientists discover — RT News

The next time you wolf down that Big Mac with large fries consider you may be affecting more than your own waistline. Scientists now say an unhealthy diet can be encoded into DNA, which is passed down to future generations. By now, most people have heard various negative things about a Western diet: it is […]

9 Jul, 2014

Russian companies ‘de-dollarize’, switch to yuan, other Asian currencies — RT Business

Russia will start settling more contracts in Asian currencies, especially the yuan, in order to lessen its dependence on the dollar market, and because of Western-led sanctions that could freeze funds at any moment. “Over the last few weeks there has been a significant interest in the market from large Russian corporations to start using […]

9 Jul, 2014

France lashes out against US$, calls for ‘rebalancing’ of world currencies — RT Business

The French government wants to break the monopoly the dollar has on international transactions after the country’s largest bank, BNP Paribas, was slapped with a record $9 billion fine and a 1-year dollar trading ban. Michel Sapin, the French finance minister, called for a “rebalancing” of the currencies used for global payments, saying the BNP […]

9 Jul, 2014

Muslims break the fast in the churches of Bandung – The Jakarta Post

Hundreds of Muslims from grassroots and marginalized communities joined breaking of the fast events held recently at two separate churches in Bandung, West Java, as a part of efforts to create a forum for interfaith dialogue. Running for 14 years, the program was initiated by the Puan Amal Hayati Foundation. Led by former first lady […]

8 Jul, 2014

Putin to Russian diplomats: “Potential for global conflict is growing”

On July 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in a conference of Russian Federation ambassadors and permanent representatives on protecting Russia’s national interests and strengthening the foundations and principles of international relations. Also taking part in the conference were the heads of the Government, both chambers of the Federal Assembly, ministries and agencies involved […]

8 Jul, 2014

Free time is good for boosting economy – Korea Times

Seoul – Free time is not a waste of time. Economists have pointed out that constructive use of it helps boost domestic consumption, on top of enhancing the productivity of workers. With export-led economic growth showing limitations, the government is encouraging leisure pursuits to enhance the growth vitality of the economy from the long-term perspective […]

8 Jul, 2014

Thailand unveils post-crisis tourism marketing agenda

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – In what could be a global first, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has veered away from fixing tourism targets in terms of arrival numbers and shifted to expenditure stats. It has also dropped the short-lived marketing campaign slogan “It Begins with the People” and replaced it with “Amazing Thailand – Happiness Within.” And […]

8 Jul, 2014

Wealth of seven richest Australians exceeds that of 1.73 million households – SMH

The wealth of the seven richest people in Australia is greater than the nation’s bottom 1.73 million households combined, and policies in the federal government’s budget will only make that gap grow larger, the Australia Institute has warned. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the bottom 20 per cent of households own roughly $54 billion […]

7 Jul, 2014

Non-Muslims Attempt Ramadan fast in Turkey

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 07 July 2014 (09 Ramadan 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ RAMADAN MUBARAK TO ALL MY READERS Islamic Travel Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil and Assistant […]

6 Jul, 2014

Flight 370 Passenger Managed to Send Photo From Hidden iPhone

(Colombo Lankapuvath) According to freelance journalist Jim Stone, one of the American passengers, Phillip Wood, a technical storage executive at IBM, who was aboard the now missing Malaysian Airlines flight, keystered his iPhone 5 in his anus after the Boeing 777 carrying 239 people was hijacked by military personnel while on route to China. Amazingly, […]

6 Jul, 2014

Russian Parliament Speaker: US Policy World’s Main Destabilizing Factor – RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, July 4 (RIA Novosti) – US foreign policy is the main cause of instability in the world, Russia’s lower house speaker Sergei Naryshkin said Friday. “We are very concerned by attempts to revise international law as well as by the instability of its institutions, which are prone, as it seems to us, to excessive […]

6 Jul, 2014

EU mulls cyber defense against US surveillance – DW.DE

As a key component of its official cyber security strategy, the European Union has explicitly emphasized the importance of protecting basic rights as its member states and the private sector bolster defenses against digital attacks. Written in the pre-Snowden era, the document does not address the potential risk posed to EU citizens’ personal data by […]

6 Jul, 2014

Gallup Polls: Americans Sense Diminishing Freedoms, Growing Corruption

by Jon Clifton

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2014 (Gallup Polls) — Fewer Americans are satisfied with the freedom to choose what they do with their lives compared with seven years ago — dropping 12 percentage points from 91% in 2006 to 79% in 2013. In that same period, the percentage of Americans dissatisfied with the freedom to choose […]

5 Jul, 2014

Take advantage of Ramadan to quit smoking | GulfNews.com

Al Ain: People who smoke after fasting all day are putting their hearts at risk, doctors have warned. They advise smokers to take advantage of Ramadan to try to quit the habit. Smoking when a person has not eaten all day is “a highly dangerous act,” Dr Riaz Ahmad Minhas, an expert in internal medicine […]

5 Jul, 2014

World Cup 2014 : Made-in-India condoms score in Brazil – Hindustan Times

Pakistan might be manufacturing soccer balls for the FIFA World Cup, but India is not too far removed from the action either. India condom maker HLL Lifecare, which supplied 342 million pieces to Brazil in 2013, claims, this year demand has spiked. This year, so far, HLL has exported 400 million pieces to Brazil. Read […]

5 Jul, 2014

Brazilians doubt impact of World Cup on economy, but see big tourism dividend

by Jan Sonnenschein

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 4, 2014, (Gallup Polls) — Brazilians’ hopes are likely high Friday as their national team faces Colombia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Shortly before the tournament began, however, the Brazilian public was rather skeptical about the economic benefits of hosting the most expensive World Cup in history. In May, 55% […]

5 Jul, 2014

Spook state: Uncle Sam is keeping a watch on you – Hindustan Times

From the documents leaked over the last two years, it is clear that the NSA used several measures for its global spying programmes. It has established secret relationships with over 80 major US corporations to access sensitive communications. These corporations are telecom giants that have access to undersea cables carrying the world’s data, software companies […]

4 Jul, 2014

Most Americans think the U.S. is great, but fewer say it’s the greatest | Pew Research Center

As Americans prepare to celebrate the country’s birthday, a clear majority considers the U.S. to be one of the greatest countries in the world. But the view that the U.S. is exceptional – standing above all other countries in the world – has declined 10 points since 2011. About three-in-ten (28%) think that the U.S. […]

4 Jul, 2014

Flawed research on APD “success story” does PATA a disservice

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association has produced a special edition of Issues & Trends to discuss the subject of travel taxes, with a particular focus on the UK Air Passenger Duty. Drawing upon a number of studies by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the International Air Transport Association, the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Tourism & […]

4 Jul, 2014

Orwell’s Dystopian Future Is Almost Here: A Conversation With Glenn Greenwald – Truthdig

Investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald, best known for his reporting on the U.S. surveillance state, told me that in the year since he first met whistle-blower Edward Snowden, he went back and re-read Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984.” In an interview on Uprising, Greenwald said that what surprised him the most about re-reading the ominous story was […]

4 Jul, 2014

Algeria to donate $9m World Cup prize money to people of Gaza – The Independent

The Algerian national football team are to donate their entire World Cup prize fund to the embattled people of Gaza, it has been reported. According to quotes attributed to Algeria’s star striker Islam Slimani, the team will give up all of the estimated $9 million (£5.25 million) they received as valiant losers in the round […]

4 Jul, 2014

For Palestinians, This Week’s Deaths Highlight the Asymmetry of Power | Alternet

July 2, 2014 – The kidnapping and killing of three young Israelis – whom Palestinians regard as settlers – and the death of a Palestinian teenager in East Jerusalem have reopened some of the deepest wounds on both sides of the ongoing conflict and are now threatening to engulf Palestinian-Israeli relations. It is not hard […]

3 Jul, 2014

Exclusive: 2013 Thai Visitor Profile Stats Show 22.7% Surge in Female Arrivals

Imtiaz Muqbil

BANGKOK – Female visitors to Thailand surged by 22.7% to a record high of 11,426,411 in 2013, according to a full profile of the arrivals for last year released by Tourism Authority of Thailand this week. While the total number of arrivals are released every month, a detailed analysis of the profile and expenditure usually […]

3 Jul, 2014

Gallup Polls: Americans Losing Confidence in All Branches of U.S. Gov’t

by Justin McCarthy

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2014 (Gallup Polls) — Americans’ confidence in all three branches of the U.S. government has fallen, reaching record lows for the Supreme Court (30%) and Congress (7%), and a six-year low for the presidency (29%). The presidency had the largest drop of the three branches this year, down seven percentage points […]

3 Jul, 2014

Beijing vows tax refunds to lure foreign visitors

By Zheng Xin

Beijing (chinadaily.com.cn), 2014-07-01 – Beijing has vowed to institute a tax refund program this year to attract more overseas travelers. “Beijing will introduce the tax refund program within this year, to attract more visitors from abroad,” said Song Yu, head of the Beijing Tourism Development Commission. The program would allow foreign travelers to claim tax […]

2 Jul, 2014

12 reasons why Bangladesh will be bigger than Myanmar

Imtiaz Muqbil

Dhaka – Although much of the buzz today is about Myanmar coming in from the cold, a country with even bigger future potential is Bangladesh. This editor visited the country between June 18-22 on invitation of the Bangladesh Tourism Board to deliver two lectures on strategies to balance negative media coverage and involve stakeholders in […]

2 Jul, 2014

Noam Chomsky: U.S. Govt Is Capable of Creating Total Catastrophe for Humankind

State power has to be protected from its domestic enemy; in sharp contrast, the population is not secure from state power. A striking current illustration is the radical attack on the Constitution by the Obama administration’s massive surveillance program. It is, of course, justified by “national security.” That is routine for virtually all actions of […]

2 Jul, 2014

World Press Trends: Print and digital together increasing newspaper audiences

Print and digital combined are increasing audiences for newspapers globally, but digital revenues are not keeping pace, posing a risk for newspaper businesses and the societies they serve, the annual World Press Trends survey released Monday by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) reveals. “Unless we crack the revenue issue, and provide […]

2 Jul, 2014

10 Big Fat Lies and the Liars Who Told Them | Alternet

June 29, 2014 – Investigative journalist Chuck Lewis joined Bill Moyers this week to discuss his new book, 935 Lies: The Future of Truth and the Decline of America’s Moral Integrity, that looks at the history of government officials and media pundits speaking and repeating (and repeating and repeating) untruths to shape public opinion and […]

2 Jul, 2014

Facebook manipulated users’ moods in secret experiment – The Independent

Facebook manipulated the emotions of hundreds of thousands of its users, and found that they would pass on happy or sad emotions, it has said. The experiment, for which researchers did not gain specific consent, has provoked criticism from users with privacy and ethical concerns. For one week in 2012, Facebook skewed nearly 700,000 users’ […]

2 Jul, 2014

PressTV – Brazilians stage anti-World Cup march in Rio

Brazilians have once again taken to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to protest the government’s spending on the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Some 100 protesters held a silent march along the Copacabana Beach on Saturday to denounce the costs of hosting the tournament and police repression in Brazil. The protesters accused the police of […]

1 Jul, 2014

Whistleblowers are increasing on Wall Street | New York Post

In the post-Dodd-Frank world, every Wall Street bank, it seems, has a rat. This year has marked a turning point for regulatory action against the country’s largest financial institutions, with federal and state agencies moving beyond the misdeeds of the 2008 financial crisis and devoting attention to other fraudulent schemes, including money-laundering, tax-dodging and predatory […]

1 Jul, 2014

Palestinian life is cheap and disposable, but Jewish life is sacrosanct – The Hindu

Although hundreds of Palestinian children are kidnapped, brutalized or killed by Israel, including several in the past two weeks, there is rarely, if ever, such a reaction from the world. Just prior to the disappearance of the Israeli settler teens, the murder of two Palestinian teens was caught on a local surveillance camera. Ample evidence, […]

1 Jul, 2014

Why China’s ‘admirable workers’ are dying at their desks – Sydney Morning Herald

Chinese banking regulator Li Jianhua literally worked himself to death. After 26 years of “always putting the cause of the party and the people” first, his employer said this month, the 48-year-old official died rushing to finish a report before the sun came up. China is facing an epidemic of overwork, to hear the state-controlled […]

1 Jul, 2014

Foot baths to debut on Yamagata bullet train | The Japan Times

YAMAGATA – JR East unveiled on Monday a new “resort train” that will allow passengers on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line to soothe their feet. The carriage, which was shown to the media in the city of Yamagata, will make its debut July 19, allowing tourists to enjoy the landscape along the train line while soaking […]

30 Jun, 2014

Sydney To Host First Ramadan Festival

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 30 June 2014 (02 Ramadan 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story. ============ RAMADAN MUBARAK TO ALL MY READERS Islamic Travel Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil and Assistant […]

30 Jun, 2014

World Cup literally killing people in China

By WANG QINGYUN in Beijing, HUANG ZHILING in Chengdu and FENG ZHIWEI in Changsha

(China Daily) 2014-06-28 – World Cup soccer matches screened live on TV in China throughout the night are taking their toll on fans. Doctors have been treating them for a range of conditions, including coronary spasms, high blood pressure and kidney disease. For example, early on Friday morning, a weary middle-aged woman visited Wei Ming, […]

29 Jun, 2014

Indian doctors wage war on unnecessary medical tests – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Top cardiologists of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here have decided to start an initiative called the Society for Less Investigative Medicine (SLIM) — a movement that aims to take on the growing menace of excessive medical investigations, starting with cardiology. Several studies across the world have conclusively established that […]

29 Jun, 2014

Egyptian journalist gags himself; “only praise is allowed” – Ahram Online

Prominent Egyptian columnist and author Alaa El-Aswany said late on Monday he would be refraining from publishing his weekly column since “only one particular opinion is allowed nowadays.” “Dear readers, I have stopped writing in Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper. Thank you for having read my weekly articles and, God willing, we will meet elsewhere,” El-Aswany declared […]

29 Jun, 2014

Testing times ahead for Modi | Arab News

There are no “ifs” and “buts” about Narendra Modi’s strong communication skills, the positive impact of which has helped him succeed politically to head the new Indian government. Modi was probably not prepared for his leadership being practically challenged through strong protests against his government’s initial moves. These include protests against hike in rail fare […]

29 Jun, 2014

Australian Jewish leaders face cover-up inquest over child sex abuse

Some of Australia’s most senior orthodox Jewish leaders are under investigation for allegedly failing to report multiple instances of child sexual abuse. The Sunday Age has obtained witness statements and tape recordings from this month’s successful prosecution of a former Bondi Yeshiva authority figure, Daniel Hayman, that indicate senior Jewish leaders failed to act on […]

29 Jun, 2014

Israeli spa products company booted from New Zealand mall | Haaretz

Dead Sea Spa cosmetic products have been banned from a New Zealand mall following a hard-hitting TV program about the tactics used by the Israeli salespeople to sell their goods. Dead Sea products are sold from mobile kiosks in malls around the world, typically staffed by young Israelis earning a little money while travelling. Campbell […]

29 Jun, 2014

Who’s benefiting from a never-ending Mideast peace ‘process?’ – Haaretz

The bulk of the discourse and discussion about the “occupation” and the “conflict” in the Middle East overall (and the Israeli-Palestinian case in particular) is focused on history, culture, religion and the “extremists” – such as the “wacky,” “messianic,” “off-the-wall” Israeli settlers and their supporters. Or on the United States, the Israeli defense establishment and […]

29 Jun, 2014

Philippine history as shown in films | Manila Bulletin

The independence that freedom fighters have won for us is being celebrated today with the usual flag ceremony and the public appearance of some local officials. It may be tradition but even that might not be enough. Forget for once that a national holiday means a one-day break from work or double pay for those […]

28 Jun, 2014

Total US debt soars to nearly $60 trn, foreshadows new recession — RT USA

America – its government, businesses, and people – are nearly $60 trillion in debt, according to the latest economic data from thethe St. Louis Federal Reserve. And private debt – not government borrowing – is the biggest reason for the huge deficit. Total US debt at the end of the first quarter of 2014, on […]

28 Jun, 2014

Bill Clinton paid $105 million for 542 speeches since 2001 | Zero Hedge

In Hillary Clinton’s attempt to seem “one of the people”, she made the public relations debacle of portraying herself as “dead broke” at the time she and Bill Clinton left the White House. Of course, the reason this attempt at populist pandering backfired (certainly not helped by her daughter’s just as mistimed quote that she […]

28 Jun, 2014

How an American spring can save the world in 2016 – English pravda.ru

But of course we cannot fight for the American elector. He has to fight his own fight like in France or in England. And he certainly understands now (especially if his father or his father was an American) that the hostile elite who has taken the control here wants the disappearing of his country: no […]

28 Jun, 2014

Gary Oldman and outraged Hollywood – In the West, courage is now an outrage

Everybody has the right to tackle political correctness, given that he keeps telling politically correct stuff. He is demonized since he talked to famous magazine Playboy. He talked too much, too frankly and the problem is that he had acknowledged that imprudence even during the interview! Since then he can’t stop excusing himself for his […]

28 Jun, 2014

5 Myths the Media Needs to Stop Spreading About Sharia Law – Mic

One of the defining characteristics of the post-9/11 world has been a ubiquitous fear, in Euro-American countries, of the creepy imperial prowess of Islamic law — a prowess that never seems to exist outside the imaginations of overzealous protesters. The hysteria over Islamic law here in the United States, in particular, started back in November […]

28 Jun, 2014

Fifty things we love about travel right now – Sydney Morning Herald

Fifty things we love about travel right now Read the story: Fifty things we love about travel right now.

28 Jun, 2014

Russell Brand calls Fox News ‘a fanatical terrorist propagandist organisation’ – The Independent

Russell Brand has branded Fox News “a fanatical terrorist propagandist organisation”, after one of the network’s legal analysts, Jeanine Pirro, described ISIS in the same way. She also gave her ideal solution in dealing with the Jihadist militant group responsible for recent violence in Iraq and Syria. “Bomb them, keep bombing them, bomb them again,” […]

28 Jun, 2014

Ageing society makes Britain the loneliness capital of Europe – The Independent

The walls of Caroline’s house serve as a reminder to the gaping hole in her life: dozens of pictures and posters of trains. Her husband, who died two years ago, was an avid railway enthusiast. Since he passed away, Caroline says that she has felt a searing loneliness. With her few family members all living […]

27 Jun, 2014

FIFA World Cup Fever Helps Build Peace With Football – Costa Rica Star

You don’t need a well-manicured grass pitch. You don’t even need all 22 players, or fancy uniforms … or even shoes, for that matter. All you need is a ball and people willing to play. The most popular sport in the world – football (known as soccer in the USA) – can be played anywhere […]

26 Jun, 2014

Presbyterians to divest from companies backing Israeli occupation – by Prof Mazin Qumsiyeh

In the past 10 days, Israeli occupation soldiers murdered 7 Palestinians (including a 13 year old child), injured dozens, kidnapped nearly 400, demolished many houses, destroyed contents and broken doors on hundreds of homes invaded in the middle of the night, blocked travel to hundreds of thousands, and continues to imprison thousands many on hunger […]

26 Jun, 2014

Indian judge blasts Modi govt after declining Supreme Court appointment – Hindustan Times

Former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium, who withdrew his consent to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge, on Wednesday said he had faced the government’s hostility for his “independence and integrity” as a lawyer. He also regretted that “the judiciary has failed to assert its independence by respecting the likes and dislikes of the executive”, […]

25 Jun, 2014

Glenn Greenwald: ‘What I Tell People Who Say They Don’t Care About Their Privacy’ | Alternet

June 20, 2014 | Since he obtained and published Edward Snowden’s leaked National Security Agency documents a little more than a year ago, journalist Glenn Greenwald said people have told him over and over that government surveillance does not concern them. “Those people don’t believe what they’re saying,” he told a sold-out audience last week […]

25 Jun, 2014

Greater role for Chinese lawyers emerging in transnational affairs

By Zhang Yan

(China Daily) 2014-06-23 – More Chinese lawyers will be promoted as legal advisers in State-owned companies for transnational business, amid concerns over national and economic security, a senior officer of the All-China Lawyers Association said. Most State-owned companies have been hiring foreign lawyers and accountants for cross-border lawsuits or transnational transactions, which can potentially compromise […]

24 Jun, 2014

Chinese commentator: How the U.S. could have better spent its Iraq War money

By Chen Weihua

Washington DC, (China Daily) 2014-06-20 – The Iraq War, which has come back to haunt Americans, Iraqis and the world these days, cost people in the United States some $2 trillion. It has been the worst reflection of US might. Yet a journalism fellowship that has won enormous hearts and minds for the US has […]

24 Jun, 2014

Phuket to get its first hospitality HRD Academy

Imtiaz Muqbil

Phuket – The concept of hotel HRD academies is gaining steam in Thailand with plans to set up what is claimed to be the first hospitality training and education Academy in Phuket, the kingdom’s second most important tourism destination after Bangkok. Former Citibank executive Mr. Narong Pattamasaevi, owner of Thailand’s Montara Hospitality Group, has teamed […]

23 Jun, 2014

Gujarat govt to buy Rs 100 crore jet for new Chief Minister – The Times of India

GANDHINAGAR: Chief minister Anandiben Patel is set to get new wings with the Gujarat government likely to spend Rs 100 crore to buy a new aircraft for her. The existing carrier — a nine-seater Super King Air Beechcraft 200 — needs to be grounded in December 2014 after it completes the maximum recommended lifespan of […]

23 Jun, 2014

France seeks to shed renown for rudeness to woo tourists – ft.com

By Hugh Carnegy ft.com — Queueing to go up the Eiffel Tower with her husband and two children, Monica Krishan from Delhi pulls few punches about being a foreign tourist in Paris “We have just come from Barcelona and Madrid. To put it bluntly the people there are much Read the rest: France seeks to […]

23 Jun, 2014

Biggest red light area in Indonesia permanently closed

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 23 June 2014 (25 Sha’baan 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 […]

23 Jun, 2014

New UK taxi rules undermine safety for women, warn campaigners – The Independent

Ministers have been accused of undermining women’s safety by weakening the regulation of private-hire taxi drivers. Measures being put to a vote in the Commons tomorrow aimed at cutting bureaucracy could make it easier for sex predators to pose as minicab drivers, it is alleged. Despite warnings from women’s safety groups and Labour, three clauses […]

23 Jun, 2014

Sharp rise in babies born in England with foetal alcohol syndrome – The Observer

The number of diagnosed cases of foetal alcohol syndrome in those born to women who drink during pregnancy has tripled since records of the debilitating condition were first kept 16 years ago. In 2012-2013 there were 252 diagnoses of the syndrome, which can leave victims severely mentally and physically impaired, compared with 89 in 1997-98. […]

20 Jun, 2014

ADB’s US$225,000 funding to revamp Mekong Tourism Office

Imtiaz Muqbil

Mandalay – Alongside the appointment of a new executive director, the Mekong Tourism Coordianting Office (MTCO) is to undergo an operational and administrative revamp with the help of a US$225,000 Technical Assistance (TA) grant from the Asian Develoment Bank. Effective July 1, Social media Jens Thraenhart, a German-Canadian national who specialises in digital media, will […]

19 Jun, 2014

Mass surveillance of UK citizens on social media is legal, says UK official – The Independent

The mass interception and surveillance of UK citizens’ activity on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google is legal, the government’s top anti-terror chief has said. In the first detailed defence of the UK’s surveillance policies since the Snowden revelations, Charles Farr, the director general of the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, has said that the surveillance […]

18 Jun, 2014

Indian Police should not waste time hounding Kerala’s crossword players – The Times of India

Kerala police is of course not alone in acting with worrying alacrity when it comes to harassing those who are accused of anti-Modi comments. In Karnataka and Goa, there has been a rash of police action against people who have posted criticism of the new PM on social media. At the centre of such intimidation […]

17 Jun, 2014

Commentary: Is a declining US good for China?

By Chen Weihua

(China Daily)  2014-06-13 – When the Asia Society’s ChinaFile online magazine invited me to discuss whether a declining United States is good for China, my feeling was the question was loaded and confusing. Loaded because it seems to assume that Chinese will celebrate a declining US, given the sensational headlines of strategic rivalry between the […]

17 Jun, 2014

‘Presbyterians please divest!’ Palestinian artists urge in paintings on apartheid wall

Rae Abileah on June 16, 2014 – This week the 221st Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly will vote on divestment from key US corporations complicit in the Israeli military occupation of Palestine. What do Palestinians, the “living stones” in the biblical land of our forefathers and foremothers, have to say about this overture? “Freedom is […]

17 Jun, 2014

Australian Nuclear Science Organisation develops smart phone radiation detector ‘app’

The popularity of smartphones continues to grow with the availability of an ever-growing range of applications. The app, Radioactivity Counter, is designed to measure a person’s exposure to radiation. It claims to accurately detect the dose in the radiation unit microGray per hour (μGy/h) using the phones in-built camera, which is not only sensitive to […]

16 Jun, 2014

Yangon at risk of becoming “just another big Asian business city”

Imtiaz Muqbil

MANDALAY: Just three years after the reform process was initiated, the Myanmar commercial hub city of Yangon is hearing urgent appeals from conservationists to safeguard its historic heritage and prevent it from becoming “just another big Asian business city.” The call was heard a number of times in a talk by a representative of the […]

16 Jun, 2014

Cool Weather Cape Town Woos Muslim Tourists For Ramadan

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 16 June 2014 (18 Sha’baan 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 […]

15 Jun, 2014

​Israel curbs travel for Palestinian football players — RT News

Israel’s sports minister has defended the country’s travel restrictions against Palestinian football players in a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, citing security concerns. Tel Aviv indicates potential attacks by Palestinian militants as the pretext for the prohibitive travel rules that affect most Palestinians, including athletes. Israel has barred travel between the West Bank and […]

15 Jun, 2014

Facebook seeks nod to not disclose its A$60 million a year earnings in Australia – SMH

US tech giant Facebook has sought immunity from corporate rules in Australia requiring companies to disclose their earnings. It is also understood to be booking its local revenue in Ireland, amid growing concern over profit-shifting by international companies. The company applied for an exemption from parts of the Corporations Act in 2009, according to documents […]

15 Jun, 2014

Research cites rise in domestic violence during England’s World Cup matches – The Independent

Police forces across the country have set up initiatives aimed at preventing violence in the home during England’s World Cup matches after research found that there is a significant rise in the number of domestic violence cases when the national team play in the tournament. According to the study published this week by Lancaster University, […]

15 Jun, 2014

A Muslim reporter’s icy welcome from Texas GOP: ‘Where are you from?’

By Bud Kennedy Even conservatives were quick to criticize a Keller school trustee’s bigotry. But while most of north Tarrant County denounced Jo Lynn Haussmann’s Muslim-bashing last week, another story unfolded in downtown Fort Worth. UT Arlington senior Heba Said, opinion editor of The Shorthorn, wrote Wednesday about the disgusted looks and comments of “you […]

15 Jun, 2014

Asianophobia in UK | The Asian Age

by Farroukh Dhondy The UK Electoral Commission has launched an investigation to “ascertain the vulnerability of Asian communities to electoral fraud.” It names 16 local authorities — Municipal Corporations — with substantial-enough populations of “Asians” to affect the results of a public election. The list, in alphabetical order names Birmingham, Blackburn, Bradford, Burnley, Calderdale, Coventry, […]

12 Jun, 2014

Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam hit as Chinese tourists head for East Asia

By Zheng Xin

Beijing, (China Daily) 2014-06-11 – More tourists from China have been heading to East Asia in recent months, deterred from traveling to traditionally popular destinations such as Malaysia and Vietnam. Travel agencies nationwide have reported a 50 percent year-on-year increase in visits to South Korea in the past few months. “While some tourists canceled trips […]

12 Jun, 2014

PATA’s Myanmar drone stunt followed by crash

Imtiaz Muqbil

Mandalay: The Pacific Asia Travel Association laid claim to becoming the first industry grouping to demonstrate the aerial photography prowess of a remote controlled drone, only to see the flying machine come crashing down during another attempt the following day. Initiated with great fanfare by PATA CEO Martin Craigs, the drone powered by four helicopter-style […]

11 Jun, 2014

‘Israel is bitterly dividing American Jewish community’ — AP

Two weeks ago the Washington Post ran an excellent piece on the divide inside the Washington Jewish community over Israel. Marc Fisher’s reporting included anti-Zionists and non-Zionists who were getting the bum’s rush from establishment Jewish organizations: Fisher reported on the disinvitation of the Shondes band and author David Harris-Gershon by the Jewish Community Center […]

11 Jun, 2014

‘Inventing Terrorists’ Study Probes U.S. Govt’s Use of Preemptive Prosecutions | The Dissenter

Nearly ninety-five percent of individuals on a Justice Department list of “terrorism and terrorism-related convictions” from 2001-2010 included some elements of preemptive prosecution, according to a study by attorneys which they say is the first to “directly examine and critique preemptive prosecution and its abuses.” The study is called “Inventing Terrorists: The Lawfare of Preemptive […]

9 Jun, 2014

The role of Islamic tourism in the global economy

by Mrs Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Republic of The Gambia

Following is the full text of the speech delivered by Mrs. Fatou Mass Jobe-Njie, Minister of Tourism & Culture, Republic of The Gambia and Chairperson of the OIC Islamic Conference of Tourism Ministers, at the 1st OIC International Forum on Islamic Tourism, 2-3 June 2014, Jakarta, Indonesia Asalamu Alaikum Warahmatulahi Wabarakatuhu Madame Chairperson, first of […]

9 Jun, 2014

’21st century China-Iran Silk Road Seminar’ held in Beijing

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 09 June 2014 (11 Sha’baan 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ ISLAMIC TOURISM CENTRE – GATEWAY TO MALAYSIA, THE MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION The Islamic Tourism Centre in Malaysia […]

9 Jun, 2014

MH370: Australian oil rig worker loses job after ‘fire in the sky’ report

Reports from an oil rig worker who saw a fire in the sky on the night Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared are being taken seriously, police sources have confirmed. But New Zealander Mike McKay, 55, has lost his job in the ‘‘circus’’ that developed after his report to authorities was leaked. Mr McKay had been […]

9 Jun, 2014

Families of MH370 passengers seek whistleblower, offer $5m reward: The Independent

The families of those on board the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 have launched a campaign calling for a “whistleblower” to come forward and reveal how the plane has lost, offering a reward of up to $5 million. They plan to raise the money via the crowdfunding website Indiegogo, and hope that a large enough […]

9 Jun, 2014

Sharad Pawar: Modi as PM emboldened communal forces – Financial Express

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Sunday expressed alarm over the rising communal incidents after Narendra Modi became the prime minister. At the NCP’s 15th Foundation Day function here, Pawar said, “The change of government in Delhi appears to have emboldened the communal forces who have started asserting themselves leading to growing incidents of communal conflict […]

8 Jun, 2014

No tolerance for hate crimes – The Hindu

Nothing puts to test the strength of India’s secular, social fabric as a hate crime does. The horrific murder of Mohsin Shaikh, an IT professional in Pune, by a group of youngsters owing allegiance to the Hindu Rashtra Sena, is a reminder of how a post-election feeling of triumphalism can feed a climate of lawlessness […]