17 Feb, 2014

Aust PM ‘frustrated’ at slow progress in anti-spying talks with Indonesia – Sydney Morning Herald

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has expressed frustration at the lack of progress on negotiations for a new joint code of conduct with Indonesia amid new spying claims. Jakarta demanded the code following revelations last year that Australia spied on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and members of his inner circle. Indonesia wants the code finalised […]

17 Feb, 2014

LOT Polish Airlines Allows Passengers To Use PEDs In Flight

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Feb. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — LOT Polish Airlines is allowing passengers to use their personal electronic devices (PED) on board LOT’s aircraft in flight mode beginning Feb. 17, 2014. Passengers may keep these devices switched on throughout the journey including take-offs and landings.  They may use all the functions on their phones, tablets, MP3 players […]

17 Feb, 2014

Cambodia to Host its First PATA Travel Mart

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February 17, 2014, Bangkok (PATA media release) — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will hold the 37th PATA Travel Mart 2014, September 17-19 at Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the “Kingdom of Wonder.” The Mart is being hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia. PTM 2014 will offer delegates […]

17 Feb, 2014

Chinese left stranded as Canada scraps investor visa program

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BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhuanet) — Uncertainty looms for thousands of mainland Chinese as Canada has scrapped its decades long investor visa program. Many say they had been hoping to school their young children in Canada but are now being forced to make new plans. An Li and her family had been waiting for five years […]

17 Feb, 2014

Philippines mulls 4-day school week proposal | Manila Bulletin

Manila, Philippines — Some lawmakers expressed support yesterday for a proposed four-day school week to help ease the massive traffic jams that are expected when work on 15 road and other construction projects in Metro Manila start this month. The Department of Education (DepEd) said it would form a panel to study the proposal of […]

17 Feb, 2014

EU report projects nearly 5 million jobs in €63 billion app sector by 2018

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Brussels, 13 February 2014, European Commission Press release – The EU’s app sector has gone from zero to digital superhero in less than five years. By 2018 it could employ 4.8 million people and contribute €63 billion to the EU economy according to a report presented in Brussels today. The study, carried out by GIGAOM […]

17 Feb, 2014

TAT to maintain arrivals and revenue targets, revise strategic plan

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Bangkok, (Royal Thai Government official media release) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will not adjust projected figures and revenue target for 2014, but instead revise its strategic plan. It is expected that tourists will gain back their confidence during the third and fourth quarters, particularly those from China, Japan, and Russia. On February […]

17 Feb, 2014

Thai police told to retake Bangkok protest sites this week

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BANGKOK, Feb 16 (MCOT Online News) – Thailand’s police have been instructed to reclaim the five major capital protest sites occupied by protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and its allies this week. Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, as director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO),said Sunday on live television that he had ordered […]

16 Feb, 2014

Israel bars 70 Gaza patients over ‘Palestine’ logo – Ahram Online

The Israeli authorities have blocked 70 patients from Gaza from entering Israel to receive medical treatment because their transfer documents were marked “State of Palestine”, officials told AFP on Wednesday. Until recently, official stationery has used the term “Palestinian territories”. But the logo was changed in mid-December, a year after the Palestinians won recognition as […]

16 Feb, 2014

China mulls rules to regulate Internet finance

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BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — China’s securities regulator said on Friday that it would work with other agencies to issue a set of rules to govern the burgeoning Internet finance industry. Despite being “generally supportive” of Internet finance, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said the nascent sector still needs proper regulation and guidance. “Internet […]

14 Feb, 2014

As trust fades, Europe proposes “more transparent, accountable, inclusive” Internet governance

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Brussels, 12 February 2014, European Commission Press release – In the wake of large-scale Internet surveillance and reduced trust in the internet, the European Commission today proposes a key reform to the way the Internet is managed and run. The proposal calls for more transparent, accountable and inclusive governance. Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes said: “The […]

14 Feb, 2014

Malaysia, Indonesia Team Up for First Joint Seminar on Islamic Tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil

Malaysia and Indonesia are to hold the first joint seminar on promoting Islamic tourism, one of the most promising future trends in travel, especially within the Asia-Pacific region. To be held 17-18 February in Kuala Lumpur, the seminar is the result of cooperation between the Islamic Tourism Centre (Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia), Ministry […]

13 Feb, 2014

Why it’s easy to ‘ban’ books in India – Hindustan Times

If any more proof was needed of the nation’s inexorable move towards a Right led by anti-intellectuals virulently opposed to Hinduism’s most admirable characteristic, its openness to a multiplicity of interpretations, Penguin India has supplied it by agreeing to pulp copies of Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History. According to these severely intellectually-challenged right […]

13 Feb, 2014

Pakistan to host ‘India Show’ in Lahore from February 14

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NEW DELHI, TNN | Feb 12, 2014: Exploring ‘business’ route to improve relations between the two countries, Pakistan will host three-day ‘India Show’ in Lahore beginning February 14. It may just be a coincidence that this mega business show of ‘made-in-India’ goods in Pakistan will begin on the Valentine’s Day, but the occasion will indeed […]

13 Feb, 2014

Skin-whitening creams reveal dark side of beauty – DAWN.COM

SKIN-whitening cosmetics are a multi-billion dollar industry pushing the idea that beauty equates with white skin and that lightening dark skin is both achievable and preferable. The cosmetics industry has traditionally relied on convincing people that they are incomplete without a particular product. Yet, unlike make-up or fake tan, skin-whitening creams base beauty on a […]

13 Feb, 2014

FREE Download: Report shows social-economic gains from free movement of EU citizens

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Brussels, 11 February 2014, European Commission Press release – EU citizens go to other EU countries mainly for job opportunities and are on average younger and more likely to be working. This is confirmed by a new, independent study on the impact of the right to move freely within the EU which was published today. […]

13 Feb, 2014

S.African Parliamentary Committee Adopts Boycott Of Israel Resolution

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Feb 10, 2014 (BDS South Africa media release) –  The Palestine solidarity human rights organization, BDS South Africa, welcomes the resolutions and recommendations of South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee’s recent conference in support of the people of Palestine, Cuba and Western Sahara. BDS South Africa particularly welcomes the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee’s conference resolution in support […]

13 Feb, 2014

Maori Tourism CEO clears the air over suspended PATA Indigenous Tourism Conf

Imtiaz Muqbil

BANGKOK – The chief executive of New Zealand Maori Tourism has stepped in to dispel speculation about the reasons for the abrupt suspension of an April conference on Indigenous Tourism that was scheduled to be held in Rotorua in cooperation with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). In a statement emailed to this editor, Mrs […]

13 Feb, 2014

Valentine’s Day Special: Sound Relationships Require Sound Finances

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– February 10, 2014 — Just in time for Valentine’s Day, MetLife has released a top 10 list of financial tips designed to assist couples in achieving their financial goals. Given the significant role that financial matters play in couples’ lives—with the average couple discussing money 20 times a year—the tips provide a […]

12 Feb, 2014

‘The day we fight back’: 6,000 websites protest surveillance – RT News

More than 6,000 websites, including Reddit, Tumblr, Mozilla, are taking part in an online protest against government surveillance. The action marks two years since website blackouts against SOPA and PIPA and commemorates Aaron Swartz’s death. The February 11 online protest, going by the title ‘The Day We Fight Back’, is supposed to see around 6, […]

12 Feb, 2014

Palestine Plans Airport in West Bank, Seaport and Railway in Gaza

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BETHLEHEM, Feb 11 (NNN-Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Transport has been working with Egypt to prepare plans for an airport in the occupied West Bank and a seaport and railway line in the Gaza Strip, a minister said. Nabil Dmeidi, minister of transport and chairman of Palestinian Airlines, told Ma’an that the transport […]

12 Feb, 2014

All BJP wants to do is advance RSS’ vision of a Hindu Rashtra – Hindustan Times

The RSS/BJP campaign pitch reminds us of the popular Hindi song with which my generation grew up — ‘Kahin pe nigahein, kahin pe nishana’ (looking in one direction, while the target is another). Its public campaign is ostensibly pitched on the issues of development and prosperity. The real target, however, remains advancing the RSS’ vision […]

12 Feb, 2014

UN meeting to forge new quality standards for booming spice and herb sector

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11 February 2014, Kochi, India/Rome (Food & Agriculture Organisation media release) – An international effort has been launched to develop quality standards for key products of the multi-billion dollar spice and herb trade. The sector has been enjoying rapid growth for several decades on the back of burgeoning demand from the booming economies of Asia […]

12 Feb, 2014

Most foreign students in UK do not feel welcome: Survey – The Independent

The majority of international students studying in the UK feel unwelcome in the country with a significant number saying they would not recommend to their friends that they come here to attend university, says a survey published on Monday. A study of the attitudes of 3,100 international students by the National Union of Students revealed […]

12 Feb, 2014

Airports join push for liberalised EU-ASEAN aviation pact

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February 12, 2014, Hong Kong, (Airports Council International media release) –  As the 1st EU-ASEAN Aviation Summit kicked off yesterday in Singapore, airports on both sides were quick to herald the benefits of opening aviation markets between Europe and ASEAN countries. The airport trade bodies, ACI Asia-Pacific and ACI Europe expressed strong hopes that the […]

12 Feb, 2014

FREE Download: Six-language Guidelines to Protect Children from On-line Predators

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Geneva, 11 February 2014 (International Telecommunications Union media release) – The ITU is joining with other UN agencies, NGOs, governments and tech companies around the world today to celebrate Safer Internet Day, with a special focus on education strategies to promote greater online safety for children and young people. Under the theme “Creating a better […]

11 Feb, 2014

Jewish fanatics carry out ‘price tag’ attack in Jerusalem

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Ramallah, Palestine, Tuesday, 11 February 2014 (International Islamic News Agency) –  Jewish extremists punctured the tires of 19 vehicles belonging to Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem on early Monday in a suspected “price tag” attack. Palestinian sources said that the settlers’ attack in the East Jerusalem’s neighborhood of Silwan resulted in 18 cars having their tires […]

11 Feb, 2014

Full Backgrounder: Why Europe is seeking an Open Skies Pact with ASEAN?

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Brussels, 10 February 2014, European Commission Memo on the EU–ASEAN1 Aviation Summit – Towards stronger relations in aviation Frequently asked questions EU-ASEAN in figures The EU traded with ASEAN more than €206 billion in goods and services in 2011 ASEAN is the EU’s 3rd largest trading partner outside Europe. The EU is ASEAN’s 2nd largest […]

11 Feb, 2014

Australian research to identify how growing number of retirees spend their money

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Melbourne, 10 February 2014 – Researchers from CSIRO and Monash University in Melbourne are putting the spending habits of retirees under the microscope in an effort to understand the finer details behind how they use and manage their superannuation funds in retirement. “We’re looking to understand what retirees need, how long their super lasts and […]

11 Feb, 2014

Volunteer tourism study: “High price no indicator of responsibility levels”

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London, (Tourism Concern media release) Feb 10, 2014 – Volunteer tourism organisations that offer the most expensive products are likely to be the least responsible, research from Leeds Metropolitan University has revealed. The study, published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, led by Victoria Smith and Dr Xavier Font, suggests that price and responsibility display […]

11 Feb, 2014

UK faces high costs of mental-ill health, says OECD

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Paris, (OECD media release) – 10/02/2014 – Mental health issues cost the UK around GBP 70 billion every year, or roughly 4.5% of GDP, in lost productivity at work, benefit payments and health care expenditure. Better policies and practices by employers and the health system are needed to help people deal with mental health issues […]

11 Feb, 2014

Toyota to exit Australia in 2017, costing 30,000 jobs

he end of Australia’s car manufacturing industry has arrived, with Toyota on Monday telling its 4200 local staff it will no longer make cars in Melbourne beyond 2017. A small army of security guards assembled at the company’s Altona plant in Melbourne, ahead of the annual address by Toyota Australia president Max Yasuda on Monday […]

11 Feb, 2014

The department store era is over – Sydney Morning Herald

Capitalism is cruel on the long-lived. Entrenching cultures and ways of doing things, the passing of time breeds complacency in the old on which the new pounce. David Jones was founded in 1838, Myer in 1900. Whether they merge or not, and it would make sense to do so, both are unlikely to survive in […]

11 Feb, 2014

Alcoholic liver disease on the rise in Australian young women

More young women are being treated for advanced liver disease caused by steady and dangerous drinking starting in teenage years, doctors warn. Specialists say young, professional women are significantly contributing to the rising hospitalisation rates for people aged 20 to 29 with alcoholic cirrhosis. ”We are used to alcoholic liver disease in middle-aged men but […]

11 Feb, 2014

The Boycott is Our Palestinian Non-Violent Resistance to Israeli occupation

By Dr. Hanan Ashrawi

10 February 2014 (Haaretz.com) — The SodaStream controversy, which recently caught the attention of media worldwide, has highlighted Israel’s ongoing military occupation and contributed to the growing awareness of global consciousness and social responsibility towards Palestine. It has laid wide open the whole issue of Israeli impunity and the imperative of multifaceted intervention and accountability. […]

11 Feb, 2014

Goo Study: Most U.S. Consumers Ignore Online Ads

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STOCKHOLM-February 11, 2014-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Goo Technologies, a provider of HTML5 high-end graphics for games and interactive visualizations on the web and the company behind the Goo Create® cloud platform, today announced the results of the first annual Goo Online Advertising Survey of over 2,000 Americans aged 18 and older, conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf […]

11 Feb, 2014

Revealed: How Big Pharma uses ‘wealth to influence government’ – The Independent

NHS bosses allowed a lobbying company working for some of the world’s biggest drugs and medical equipment firms to write a draft report which could help shape future health policy. NHS England commissioned a group called the Specialised Healthcare Alliance (SHCA) to consult with patients’ groups, charities and health organisations and produce a report feeding […]

11 Feb, 2014

Asia Times Online: Japan’s brutal work culture takes a toll

Almost half of all non-regular workers chose their current “work-style” due to lack of opportunity to be a regular employee. As a demographic that receives low wages, no health or pension benefits and no paid holidays, the non-regular workforce represents a worrying growth of instability that remains ignored by government policy. As for regular employees, […]

11 Feb, 2014

Israeli checkpoints block hospital access for pregnant Palestinian | Haaretz

Israel’s Civil Administration in the West Bank blocks a pregnant woman at medical risk from taking the quick route to a hospital in East Jerusalem, even though she is accompanying her Israeli husband in their Israeli car, because it would entail going through a checkpoint that “isn’t meant for Palestinians.” Yara Abu Oudeh, 37, is […]

11 Feb, 2014

Filipino film highlights dangerous power of social media | Arab News

BERLIN: A 15-year-old’s heartbreak and obsession with the social media make for a gripping tale of how the Internet can drive fragile minds into a dangerous world, in the Filipino film “Unfriend” shown at the Berlin film festival. Director Joselito Altarejos takes viewers on a nightmarish journey with the film’s hero David, who is jilted […]

10 Feb, 2014

Iraq’s National Museum plans April reopening

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 February 2014 (10 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2014 IN KUCHING, SARAWAK, HAILED A MAJOR SUCCESS The Minister of Tourism […]

10 Feb, 2014

Why global water shortages pose threat of terror and war | The Observer

On 17 January, scientists downloaded fresh data from a pair of Nasa satellites and distributed the findings among the small group of researchers who track the world’s water reserves. At the University of California, Irvine, hydrologist James Famiglietti looked over the data from the gravity-sensing Grace satellites with a rising sense of dread. The data, […]

10 Feb, 2014

Thousands of Barclays customers’ data ‘stolen and sold to rogue traders’ – The Independent

Thousands of Barclays customers have had their personal data stolen and sold on to manipulative “rogue traders”, a newspaper has claimed. A whistleblower told the Mail on Sunday the leaked data included people’s medical issues, incomes, savings and insurance policies – described as a “gold mine” that could be manipulated by traders running investment scams. […]

9 Feb, 2014

ASEAN-EU Aviation Summit to explore “Open Skies” Pact

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Singapore, 10 February 2014, European Commission Press release – The EU-ASEAN Aviation Summit, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will take place in Singapore on 11-12 February 2014. The Summit’s objective is to enhance political, technical and industrial co-operation between ASEAN and the EU in the aviation […]

9 Feb, 2014

First JCB card in Laos introduced by Phongsavanh Bank

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Vientiane and Tokyo, Feb 5, 2014 – (JCN Newswire) – Phongsavanh Bank Limited (PSVB), a major and the first private Lao commercial bank in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), and JCB International (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., today announced that PSVB has launched the first JCB credit card in Laos. […]

9 Feb, 2014

Age no barrier: 81-year-old Japanese who scaled Everest | The Japan Times

Ever wondered what it feels like to stand on top of the world? Eighty-one-year-old alpinist Yuichiro Miura should know: He’s done it three times since turning 70. He became the oldest person to scale the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, in May last year, a remarkable feat that spurred the government to name a state […]

9 Feb, 2014

Rahul Gandhi: Narendra Modi follows ‘poisonous’ ideology of RSS – Times of India

SURAT: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi took on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on his home turf on Saturday saying that Modi follows the “poisonous” ideology of RSS that killed Mahatma Gandhi. Drawing the battlelines for the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat, he attacked Modi for having colleagues who went to jail before becoming ministers. […]

9 Feb, 2014

Thomas Cook India buys Sterling Holiday for Rs 870cr – The Times of India

MUMBAI, TNN | Feb 9, 2014: Billionaire investor Prem Watsa-backed Thomas Cook India is acquiring vacation ownership pioneer Sterling Holiday Resorts India for Rs 870 crore, marking its foray into the hospitality sector. This is Thomas Cook India’s second purchase after Ikya Human Solutions in February 2013. To be completed by the fourth quarter of […]

9 Feb, 2014

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters blasts Scarlett Johansson over Israel | Veterans News Now

By Ali Abunimah Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters has fiercely criticized Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson over her decision to endorse SodaStream, an Israeli company that operates a factory in an illegal colony in the occupied West Bank. Waters writes that in his previous encounters with Johansson, the actress struck him as a “young woman of strength […]

9 Feb, 2014

Future is cloudy in Bangkok – former Indian Ambassador

It is uncertain if the February 2 election in Thailand will lead to a resolution of the ongoing political crisis. Certainly, it will not help address the deep contradictions that lie at the heart of the Thai system. Unless the Thai traditional and new political, social and business elites — and people at large — […]

9 Feb, 2014

Corruption an inescapable reality – Hindustan Times

The 2009 recession, followed by a long-drawn out slowdown, coupled with scams tumbling out of the government’s closet one after the other, have unsurprisingly made traders in India pessimistic and dejected. The HT-MaRS Governance Survey found that close to 70% of traders believed corruption had eaten into the system and that the malaise was so […]

9 Feb, 2014

Moment of truth for India – The Hindu

For the first time in the history of independent India, a high official of its intelligence services stands indicted for cold-blooded killing in the service of the Republic. Thursday’s Central Bureau of Investigation charge sheet against former Intelligence Bureau Special Director Rajinder Kumar and his subordinates for the alleged extra-judicial execution of Maharashtra residents Ishrat […]

8 Feb, 2014

Chinese Spring Festival holidays boost tourism revenues, and pollution

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BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) — Tourism revenue in China rose 16.4 percent year on year during the week-long Spring Festival holiday, the National Tourism Administration said on Friday. Tourism revenue reached 126.4 billion yuan (20.69 billion U.S. dollars) during the holiday, which began last Friday, according to a statement released by the administration. The Spring […]

8 Feb, 2014

Philippines launches “Thank You” ad campaign for aiding typhoon recovery

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MANILA, Philippines–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On 8 February 2014 at 4:40am Manila time, exactly three months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, the country will launch a global campaign expressing its gratitude to the world, having received an outpouring of support following the devastating effects of the typhoon. Triggered by an overwhelming sense of appreciation, which has been […]

8 Feb, 2014

Last known speaker of tribal Klallam language dies aged 103 – The Independent

At 103, Hazel Sampson was not only the oldest member of the Native American Klallam tribes of the Pacific North-west, but also the last known native speaker of the Klallam language. Ms Sampson, who died at a hospital in Port Angeles, Washington state, on Tuesday, was taught the Klallam tongue by her parents, and learnt […]

8 Feb, 2014

The Irishman with a billion people’s privacy to protect – The Independent

From an office above a supermarket in a small town in County Laois, Billy Hawkes is charged with protecting the data and privacy of more than a billion Internet users around the world. As the Data Protection Commissioner for Ireland, Hawkes has assumed responsibility for safeguarding the data of 990 million Facebook users outside of […]

8 Feb, 2014

Israelis uproot Palestinians from West Bank protest site – theguardian.com

Dusk was gathering around the date palms of Ein Hijleh when the Israeli police 4×4 roared past the protest village, sending up clouds of white dust that obscured the view of the golden cupola of the nearby monastery of Saint Gerassimos. “Look at that,” a Palestinian activist shouted. “They’re just doing it to remind us […]

8 Feb, 2014

CIA confirms agency obliged to follow federal surveillance law – theguardian.com

The CIA has confirmed that it is obliged to follow a federal law barring the collection of financial information and hacking into government data networks. But neither the agency nor its Senate overseers will say what, if any, current, recent or desired activities the law prohibits the CIA from performing – particularly since a section […]

8 Feb, 2014

A voice D.C’s Jewish leaders don’t want you to hear – The Washington Post

By Sharon Jacobs On Tuesday, I got an e-mail from the Washington DC Jewish Community Center: The JCC was refunding me for a ticket I had purchased to an event in its “Authors Out Loud” series. I had paid to hear David Harris-Gershon, whose memoir, “What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who […]

7 Feb, 2014

Sri Lanka Hits Back at GloboCop, Denies Visa To Senior U.S. Official

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Feb 4 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Sri Lankan government has refused to issue a visa to U.S. ambassador at Large for Women’s Issues, Catherine Russell, forcing her to cancel a high-level visit scheduled for Feb 10-11. “It is regrettable that the Sri Lankan government has refused to grant a visa to ambassador Catherine […]

7 Feb, 2014

Cambodia Attracts Some 460,000 Chinese Visitors In 2013, Up 38%

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia Feb. 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cambodia greeted about 460,000 Chinese tourists last year, up 38 percent from 333,900 in a year earlier, according to a report of the Ministry of Tourism. China is the second largest source of tourists to Cambodia after Vietnam, the report said. Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said last […]

7 Feb, 2014

Lufthansa eying renewed business in Iran

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Feb 6, 2014 (PressTV) – Germany’s main carrier Lufthansa is weighing up the potential of further sanctions relief against Iran with a view to resuming work in Iran, a senior Lufthansa official says. “Iran is going to be an interesting development for us,” Carsten Schaeffer, Lufthansa’s vice-president for sales and services, was quoted as saying […]

7 Feb, 2014

Australian funds new projects to protect Indigenous languages

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Canberra, 6 February 2014 – Minister for the Arts, Senator George Brandis QC, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Nigel Scullion today announced the recipients of $2.6 million in funding for new language preservation projects. “The Australian Government is committed to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples keep their languages alive,” Senator Brandis said. […]

7 Feb, 2014

Chomsky: No Wonder the World Is Terrified of America — We’re the Biggest Threat | Alternet

February 5, 2014 –  As the year 2013 drew to an end, the BBC reported on the results of the WIN/Gallup International poll on the question: “Which country do you think is the greatest threat to peace in the world today?” The United States was the champion by a substantial margin, winning three times the […]

7 Feb, 2014

ESCAP gets German funds to boost early warning for natural disasters

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Bangkok 7 February 2014, (ESCAP News) – Early warning systems for natural disasters in the Indian Ocean and southeast Asian countries were today strengthened by a 500,000 Euro contribution from the German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and a new agreement with the United […]

7 Feb, 2014

6 Offensively Overpriced Products We Can Do Without | Alternet

Unless you’re a member of the 1%, you’re likely to wince when you open up your heating bill or pick up a gallon of milk. But as much as you might lament about the rising prices of everyday staples, there are many common products that you can ditch to save yourself a wad of cash. […]

7 Feb, 2014

UK recession led to a divorce every five minutes in 2012 – The Independent

The number of couples divorcing went up in the aftermath of the recession, according to the latest official figures, which show 13 divorces happened every hour in 2012. There were 118,140 divorces in 2012, up 0.5 per cent on 2011, the Office for National Statistics said. Almost half of these occurred in the first 10 […]

7 Feb, 2014

FBI will be asked to probe corporations accused of illegally accessing data on private individuals – The Independent

The blue-chip hacking scandal has taken a new twist as it emerged that the FBI is set to be called in to investigate eight companies accused of hiring UK-based private investigators that illegally obtained private information about the public. The Information Commissioner has announced he will contact authorities in America after his inquiry found several […]

7 Feb, 2014

Violent video games may affect moral judgement in teens | The Indian Express

Spending too much time playing violent video games may delay development of moral judgement in teens, a new study has found. Teens who play violent video games for long hours may be prevented from getting involved in different positive social experiences in real life, and in developing a positive sense of what is right and […]

7 Feb, 2014

India warns US of consequences on visa reform – Hindustan Times

India has warned the United States of consequences for its companies if lawmakers tighten visa rules on high-tech firms as part of an immigration overhaul. Ambassador Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that India would see a decision to restrict certain temporary visas for skilled workers as a sign that the US economy is becoming less open for […]

7 Feb, 2014

Hindu fundamentalist group RSS ‘behind bombing of Muslim targets’ – Arab News

Three months before India elects its new national government, terrorism charges have come back to haunt Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), a Hindutva organization and parent body of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party in the country. Aseemanand, an accused in blasts that rocked various parts of India between September 2006 and September 2008 […]

7 Feb, 2014

Twitter ‘considering legal options’ over US Govt data requests – theguardian.com

Twitter has called for greater freedom to report government security requests as part of its latest transparency report. The report discloses only those national security requests that are permitted by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), which Twitter says hampers “meaningful or sufficient transparency for the public”. “Allowing Twitter, or any other similarly situated company, […]

6 Feb, 2014

Dallas Museum Lands a Rich Trove of Islamic Art – NYTimes.com

While Texas may have the fifth largest Muslim population in the United States by some estimates, its public art collections have only recently begun to reflect the 14-century sweep of Islamic history. But on Friday, with the stroke of a pen — sealing a complex agreement hashed out over months — the Dallas Museum of […]

6 Feb, 2014

Australian Broadcasting Corp rebuts military criticism of asylum seekers reports, urges more openness

Canberra, 4th February 2014 – The Australian Broadcasting Corporation issued the following statement to rebut criticism by the Australian government and the military about coverage of the way asylum seeker boats are being handled, and allegations of mistreatment of the asylum-seekers. The statement by Mark Scott, Managing Director, and Kate Torney, Director News, says, “Claims […]

6 Feb, 2014

FREE Download: Horwath Report Sees Myanmar Hotel Sector As “Most Profitable”

Imtiaz Muqbil

Bangkok, 05 February 2014 – Myanmar is likely to grow faster than other emerging market within Asia, and the hospitality sector is likely to be one of the most profitable sectors, according to the Hotel Yearbook 2014: Asia-Pacific, released by the hotel consultancy group Horwath HTL. James Chappell, Global Business Director at Horwath HTL, said: […]

6 Feb, 2014

Tourist arrivals in Laos exceed forecast targets

Foreign tourist arrivals to Laos in 2013 reached 3,779,490 visitors for the year, exceeding the official target of more than 3.4 million, statistics showed. The 2013 arrivals also surpassed targets forecast for 2015 of around 3,750,000 visitors, according to statistics from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The 2013 figures represented a big increase […]

6 Feb, 2014

Stay sober? No thanks – I’m British : The Guardian

Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett Mine is shaping up to be a varied and illustrious binge-drinking career. From the first time I got drunk, at 14 – having boldly decided that a two-litre bottle of White Lightning cider was the best way to get over a breakup (and land me in hospital) – to guzzling beer through […]

5 Feb, 2014

‘Useless’ TSA scanners provided endless fodder for employees, former agent alleges — RT USA

The Transportation Security Agency was aware that, before they were even introduced, the full-body scanners used at airport security checkpoints were flawed, according to a former TSA agent who alleges employees regularly peered and laughed at travelers. Jason Edward Harrington, who spent years for the TSA as he studied for a creative writing degree, wrote […]

5 Feb, 2014

Ontario court upholds removal of children from ‘Jewish taliban’ sect – Haaretz

A judge in Ontario has upheld a Quebec youth court ruling ordering the removal of 14 children belonging to the Lev Tahor ultra-Orthodox sect, The Montreal Gazette reported Monday. Ontario judge Stephen Fuerth ruled that the Quebec court, which ordered in November to place the children in temporary homes for a period of 30 days, […]

5 Feb, 2014

Head priest of Badrinath temple arrested for ‘molestation’ – Hindustan Times

The head priest of the Badrinath temple Keshawan Namboodiri has been arrested for wrongful confinement and outraging the modesty of a woman. Namboodiri has been suspended by the shrine’s administration after he was produced at a court and sent to a fortnight’s judicial custody on Tuesday. A 28-year-old woman has alleged that she was molested […]

5 Feb, 2014

Mining project approved in middle of India’s finest elephant reserve – Hindustan Times

Environment minister Veerappa Moily has obliged his Cabinet colleague and steel minister Beni Prasad Verma by approving an iron ore mining project in the middle of India’s best reserve for tuskers, Singhbhum Elephant Reserve in Jharkhand. The Steel Authority of India’s Durgaiburu iron-ore mine in Saranda forest division of Jharkhand will now get 635 hectares […]

4 Feb, 2014

Robert Scheer: The Super Bowl of War: Three Decades of Failure in Afghanistan

A Budweiser commercial during the Super Bowl, that annual celebration of violence as sport, featured a most joyous homecoming for a U.S. veteran of the Afghan War. It was a fitting tribute to the fact that he survived, but you would have to be drunk on Bud not to notice that the three decades since […]

4 Feb, 2014

SME Hotel Investment Seminar In Myanmar, 22-23 March

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Yangon, 4 February 2014 (Thai Hotel and Hospitality Management Association media release) – In 2013, the number of tourists visiting Myanmar surged over 2.0 million compared to 1.0 million in 2012 indicating a significant double increase from last year. Ministry of Hotel and Tourism of Myanmar forecasted that in 2014 the number of international tourists […]

4 Feb, 2014

Int’l Road Transport Union joins with UN to fight corruption, extortion on global highways

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New York, 4 February 2014 – The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and UN Global Compact officially launched the Global Anti-Corruption Initiative today to combine efforts in fighting extortion and corruption along major road transport corridors and secure the sustainable development of global supply chains to the benefit of economies worldwide. Currently, transport operators suffer from […]

4 Feb, 2014

Exclusive: How the Philippines peace pact will boost tourism, and vice versa

by Danny Corpuz

Editor’s Note: Last week, after the signing of the peace agreement between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, I asked Department of Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz to comment on the implications for tourism and the global peace movement. He sent me the following response: The signing of the peace agreement between the […]

3 Feb, 2014

Carpet-making enjoys a revival in Kyrgyzstan

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 February 2014 (03 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1435). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story. ============ ASEAN TOURISM FORUM 2014 IN KUCHING, SARAWAK, HAILED A MAJOR SUCCESS The Minister of Tourism […]

2 Feb, 2014

Bangkok on Election Day: Exclusive Images You Will NOT See on Either BBC or CNN

Imtiaz Muqbil

One hour after polls closed on Bangkok election day, I hopped on my motorcycle and took off to see what was going on around town. What I saw did not surprise me in the least because I’ve seen it before. But it may surprise many readers because it is so completely contradictory to what they […]

2 Feb, 2014

Four important ways Chinese spend money during the Spring Festival

Huan Jia, Yun Xiaoqian, Liu Shaoyang

Beijing (People’s Daily Online) January 30, 2014 – The following four ways Chinese spend their money during this year’s Spring Festival offer unique insights into Chinese culture, as well as pointers for the travel & tourism industry on how to attract Chinese visitors. New Year’s Eve dinner New Year’s Eve dinner, also called family reunion […]

2 Feb, 2014

Indian Cabinet approves Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2

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Cabinet, 30-January-2014 – The Cabinet has approved the Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-2.  This project will improve the public transport system and provide the much needed additional infrastructure for the city. The total completion cost of the project is estimated at Rs.26,405.14 crore at the price levels of 2011-12 with price escalation of 5 percent […]

2 Feb, 2014

2013 Safest Year on Record for Scheduled International Aviation

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MONTRÉAL, 17 January 2014 (ICAO media release) – Preliminary data released by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has confirmed that 2013 was the safest year ever recorded in terms of fatalities for scheduled international air transport operations. Although the number of fatal accidents involving scheduled commercial operations remained steady at nine during 2013, fatalities […]

2 Feb, 2014

Asia’s First Under-One-Roof Nutritional Research Centre Set Up in Singapore

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Singapore, Jan 29, 2014 – (ACN Newswire) – The Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC) – a $20 million joint-venture by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and National University Health Systems (NUHS) – is the most comprehensive centre in Asia that will conduct nutritional studies to understand the causes of metabolic diseases such […]

2 Feb, 2014

Flights interactive: See the planes in the sky right now | theguardian.com

To mark 100 years of passenger air travel, our stunning interactive uses live data from FlightStats to show every one of the thousands of commercial planes currently in the air, charts the history of aviation since 1914, and asks what comes next for the industry Click here: Flights interactive: see the planes in the sky […]

2 Feb, 2014

The Jewish billionaire brothers ‘trying to buy America’ – The Independent

Two billionaire brothers who have poured their fortune into a network of charitable organisations that are dedicated to supporting Republican causes and candidates have been drawn into an unusual and very public spat with the Majority Leader of the US Senate, Harry Reid. Senator Reid, a Democrat, provoked a new round of recriminations when, in […]

1 Feb, 2014

China becomes largest investor in Laos

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VIENTIANE, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) — China has become the largest investor in Laos with over 5 billion U.S. dollars invested in the country, said Chinese Ambassador to Laos Guan Huabing. Guan’s comments came at the launch of a photo exhibition jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Laos, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Laos […]

1 Feb, 2014

Indian VP calls for educational system to impart values cited in Indian Constitution

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Chennai, 31-January-2014, Vice President’s Secretariat – The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that it is estimated that over half of our population of 1.2 billion is under the age of 30 years and that by 2020, the average Indian will be only 29 years of age, compared with 37 in […]

1 Feb, 2014

Frugality “in” at this year’s Chinese Spring Festival

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Beijing, (Xinhua), February 01, 2014 – Fewer banquets, gifts and galas; more reunion meals at home instead of restaurants; grassroots cultural shows: the Chinese observe Spring Festival frugally but still have fun. The frugality campaign, launched late in 2012 by central authorities, has brought big changes to the most important Chinese holiday, this year. “In […]

1 Feb, 2014

“It Begins With the People” – Bangkok Braces for Complete Shutdown on Feb 2, E-Day

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The following is a day by day summary of the Thailand protests in January 2014, issued by Security Alert Service. Friday 31, January 2014 – On Dec 28, 2013 (protest leader) Suthep (Thaugsuban) declared that the entire capital Bangkok will be completely shut down by millions of people opposing the Thaksin regime. Addressing several thousands […]

1 Feb, 2014

Impotent UN Looks On as Israel Continues House Demolitions, Displacement of Palestinians

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United Nations, Jan 31 2014 – A senior United Nations relief official today called for a halt to the displacement of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley, after 66 people, including 36 children, were uprooted in the latest round of Israeli demolitions in the area. The call by James W. Rawley, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for […]

1 Feb, 2014

FREE Download: Study Says Mobile Shopping Made Consumers Over-Spend On Holiday Season Gifts

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San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 29, 2014 – With the best of intentions, holiday shoppers enter each new holiday season with a plan in mind about how much they plan to spend on gifts, what they plan to purchase, and their top destinations. To help retailers navigate the complexities of the holiday shopping experience and […]

31 Jan, 2014

Grief for Great Barrier Reef, say environmentalists – Sydney Morning Herald

They are two of Australia’s most celebrated places of natural beauty, sitting at either end of the country. Both are world heritage protected. And in the eyes of conservationists both took significant blows on Friday. In Australia’s north, a final permit was granted to allow the dumping of millions of tonnes of dredging sludge in […]