Author Archive
20 Jul, 2013
Miss Wheelchair Thailand contest kicks off
Ten photographs from the unique Miss Wheelchair Thailand contest. Click here: Miss Wheelchair Thailand contest kicks off – Xinhua.
more…20 Jul, 2013
Growing up Muslim in America – Financial Times
Many of the young Muslim Americans in Brooklyn can recount stories of public accusations of being a terrorist, rocks being thrown through their car windows, being targeted for “flying while Muslim”. Many know someone who has answered a knock at the door and found the FBI. More than one-third – 36 per cent – of […]
more…20 Jul, 2013
Sydney Morning Herald: Time to rethink the role alcohol plays in city violence
This week the connection between alcohol and street violence came into sharp focus again with the head of the NSW Police Association, Scott Weber, making the extraordinary call for the abolition of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing – the state government agency which oversees regulation of licensed venues. Weber’s call followed the bashing […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
Detention Watch Releases Infographic Revealing “Ugly Truth” About U.S. Immigration Detention
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– July 17, 2013 – “Detention: The Whole Truth,” an infographic series today released by Detention Watch Network illustrates the shockingly unjust and inhumane system detained immigrants face in the United States. The three-part series reveals an immigration system fraught with bed quotas, denied due process, deplorable conditions, and a billion-dollar private prison industry […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
Incheon named “World Book Capital 2015”
19.07.2013 – UNESCOPRESS – The city of Incheon (Republic of Korea) was named World Book Capital for the year 2015 by an international committee of experts representing the book industry and UNESCO, that met on 16 July at the Organization’s Headquarters. The city of Incheon was chosen “on account of the quality of its programme […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
Indian PM: Weak Rupee Will Help Make Exports More Competitive
Prime Minister’s Office, 19-July, 2013 – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the 92nd Annual General Meeting of ASSOCHAM in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion: “I am delighted to be with you today to inaugurate the ASSOCHAM’s AGM, 2013. ASSOCHAM has, over the years, […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
World Marketing Summit to be held in Malaysia in Sept 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013 (WMSM2013) which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 28th to 30th, is a platform designed for the sharing of actual case studies of campaigns that have been successfully implemented as opposed to just theoretical ideation. The topic on […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
Europe weighs ways to cut 89 million tons of annual food waste
Brussels, 15 July 2013, European Commission Press release – In Europe we waste about 89 million tons of food every year. Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: “This is morally and economically unacceptable and is all the more horrific when you consider the true scale of the resources required to produce those 89 million tons! We […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
The U.S. Drone Strike that Killed His American Grandson – Who Will Be Held Accountable?
A former agricultural minister in Yemen says his 16-year-old grandson, a U.S. citizen, was killed by an American drone strike in 2011. Now, two years later, Nasser al-Awlaki still has very little information about the circumstances surrounding his grandson’s death. Al-Awlaki described his story in an op-ed written for the New York Times. Al-Awlaki’s grandson, Abdulrahman, […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
Special Report on Nelson Mandela day: The Future of “Freedom” and Its Impact on Travel
On July 18, the world marked Nelson Mandela Day with sombre reminders of his contribution to the cause of global freedom and democracy. On the same day, however, two whistleblowers were seeking refuge in an embassy and an airport transit lounge, seeking to escape the wrath of the U.S., a country that former President George […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
WTO report: Developing World, Demographics, Technology Driving Rapid Change in World Trade
Geneva, 18 July 2013, WTO PRESS RELEASE – The future of world trade, and the global trading system, will be shaped by a range of economic, political and social factors, including technological innovation, shifts in production and consumption patterns, and demographic change, according to the 2013 World Trade Report published by the WTO on 18 […]
more…19 Jul, 2013
On International Day, UN Pays Tribute To Nelson Mandela, a former Prisoner of Conscience
United Nations, Jul 18 2013 – The United Nations today marked Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrating the South African leader’s 95th birthday and honouring his dedication to public service, social justice and reconciliation, inspiring millions around the world. To commemorate the Day, the UN is joining a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to “Take […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Fascinating Factoids about the social status of Europe, in one pocketbook
Brussels, 17 July 2013, Eurostats press release – How many foreign citizens live in an EU Member State? And how many of them come from another EU Member State? How is the risk of poverty influenced by the level of education? Are there more females or more males among the student population in the EU? […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Cleanliness, Safety Issues Dominate Indian National Tourism Conference
New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 18-July, 2013 – A National Tourism Ministers’ Conference was held here today to discuss the future strategies for realising the full tourism potential of the country. The Conference was chaired by Union Tourism Minister Mr K. Chiranjeevi. State and Union Territory Tourism Authorities were represented either through their Tourism Ministers […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Asia Times Online : How to be a rogue superpower
The result has been a global spectacle, as well as a worldwide debate about the spying practices of the US (and its allies). In these weeks, Washington has proven determined, vengeful, implacable. It has strong-armed, threatened, and elbowed powers large and small. It has essentially pledged that the leaker, former Booz Allen employee Edward Snowden, […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Ramadan 2013: Fasting for the body, food for the soul – The Independent
Dr Michael Mosley’s Horizon investigation in 2012, which studied the effects of intermittent fasting, and in which he fasted two days out of every week (living on 600 calories during his fasting days) spawned the popularity of the 5:2 diet. Dr Mosley presented medical evidence for the life-extending and life-improving benefits of fasting on the […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Tune Hotels Opens First Property in Mindanao
July 18, 2013 – International hotel group Tune Hotels has widened its presence in the Philippines with the opening of its first hotel in the southern island of Mindanao at Cagayan de Oro City. Tune Hotels Group CEO Mark Lankester said: “This is our fifth footprint in the Philippines. Thanks to the booming Philippine economy […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Myanmar faces ageing population, must fast-track development, says OECD-ESCAP report
OECD – Paris, 18 July 2013 – Myanmar faces a crucial few years to come to ignite economic growth and embark on a higher, more sustainable and more equitable development trajectory. The challenge is even more important as the country’s population will start ageing in 2017, says the Multi-dimensional Review of Myanmar: Initial Assessment which […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Indian President Outlines Challenges Facing Critical Agricultural Sector
New Delhi, President’s Secretariat, 16-July, 2013 – Address by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on the Occasion of the 85th Foundation Day of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). 1. It is indeed a privilege for me to be associated with the eighty fifth foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Chinese economist warns: Prepare for shockwaves as U.S. exits Quantitative Easing
Beijing, 2013-07-16, (China Daily) – The three main economic issues discussed at the fifth Sino-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington last week were increasing bilateral trade, facilitating structural reforms and enhancing cooperation in financial markets. The most important financial issue for the world’s two largest economies, however, is how to deal with the possible […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Chinese companies outline challenges of investing abroad
Beijing, July 16, 2013, (China Daily) – As Chinese steel firms step up their efforts to explore resources abroad, there have been ups and downs in their gains because of inexperienced risk management. Facing increasing domestic demand for iron ore with high import prices in recent years, Chinese steel companies have been trying to find […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
European Citizens’ Dialogue: “We should whine less, believe in ourselves more”
Heidelberg, 16 July 2013 (European Commission) – The Vice-President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding, and the Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, today held one of the Citizens’ Dialogues on the future of Europe that have been initiated by the Commission. After twenty-four dialogues in fourteen EU Member States, it was the turn of […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
EU bids to curb pesticides to better protect Europe’s honey bees
Brussels, 16 July 2013, European Commission Press release – A Commission proposal to restrict the use of Fipronil, an insecticide which has recently been identified as posing an acute risk to Europe’s honey bee population, was backed by Member State experts meeting today in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. This […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Chinese premier highlights “scientific economic policies”
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that macroeconomic policies should be more scientific, forward-looking and targeted to promote continuous and healthy growth in the long run. Li made the comments at a conference about the country’s current economic situation, after data showed China’s economic growth slowed to 7.5 percent in […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
Indian Engineering Sector Seeks New Markets in Africa
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 16-July, 2013 – Concerned over a sharp year-on-year fall of 9.25 per cent drop in engineering exports in June despite rupee depreciation by about same ratio in the last two months, the EEPC India (Formerly known as Engineering Exports Promotion Council) with support of the Commerce & External Affairs Ministries […]
more…18 Jul, 2013
New alcohol-free bar debuts in London’s trendiest district – The Independent
The last time dry bars could be described as being in vogue, we had a Queen Empress on the throne and men still wore stove pipe hats. And yet, bang in the middle of London’s most trendy borough, a new one is set to open this weekend. Called Redemption, it harks back to the inglorious […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
“Fish cannot go to court”: EC seeks opinions on improving access to environmental justice
Brussels, 15 July 2013, European Commission Press release – The European Commission has launched a public consultation on ways to improve access to justice in the field of the environment. Access to justice – the right to challenge decisions or omissions by public bodies that are suspected of not complying with environmental law – is […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
People’s Daily Commentary: ‘Prism’ burns America’s Internet supremacy
July 16, 2013 (People’s Daily Online) – Finally, Snowden has made his reappearance. Speculation concerning his whereabouts has excited considerable media attention around the world, but this should not become a pretext for avoiding the hard questions around the Prism event. Washington still owes a reasonable explanation to a lot of countries, including China. And […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Global Times Commentary: Washington must overhaul bipolar way of thinking
July 16, 2013 – The annual China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) just concluded. Both sides can now reflect and think about the future. But can Washington put behind its Cold War mind-set, and will current US policy lead to peaceful and constructive relations with China? Some critics believe the current US policy will lead […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Tips to Safeguard Against Ruining the Summer Vacation
San Diego, California (PRWEB) July 16, 2013 – Now that many U.S. families are about to take their 2013 summer vacation, American Travel Suppliers has released a set of travel tips for families to follow to help them have a safe vacation. These suggestions include things like how to insure important documents are never lost, […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Secret court allows Yahoo to disclose U.S. surveillance data requests
July 16, 2013 – [JURIST] – (University of Pittsburgh School of Law) – The US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) on Monday granted a motion by Yahoo to declassify a 2008 FISC judgment that required the company to comply with government requests for user information under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The FISC also […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Whistleblower Doctor Exposed Illegal Activities That Forced U.S. Hospital to Pay $39 Million
Editor’s Comment This press release by the U.S. law firm Goldberg Kohn, reproduced verbatim, indicates that whistleblowers are not only coming forward but also getting legal support, which is being publicised by the lawyers. It should set off warning bells in the health & wellness sector, and the medical system as a whole. If treated […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Man sells wife to buy liquor, arrested – Hindustan Times
Mumbai – An alcoholic has been arrested for allegedly selling his wife to a friend for Rs.25,000 to finance his drinking, police said Sunday. Read the rest: Man sells wife to buy liquor, arrested – Hindustan Times.
more…17 Jul, 2013
Visa officers’ strike in Canada to hit Indian students most – Hindustan Times
Canada may have issued a record number of visas to Indians, but the figures could dwindle due to an ongoing strike of visa officers since April. With India being home to Canada’s largest overseas visa office, the strike by a union of Canadian foreign service officers may affect the plans of thousands of Indian students […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Macau becomes a gold mine for U.S. casino companies – The Japan Times
The gambling mecca of Macau now handles more wagers than all U.S.-based commercial casinos put together, and many of those bets end up swelling the balance sheets of U.S. corporations. But as U.S. gambling companies have remade Macau, Macau has also remade them. Chasing riches, these companies have been hit with allegations of improper conduct, […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Ross Gittins on why Australians are losing their egalitarianism – Sydney Morning Herald
I was chastened years ago on an industrial relations junket as a guest of the German government. The Aussies in the group went out to see the sights one night in Munich. When, eventually, we decided to go back to the hotel we realised one of the group was missing. I said I thought he […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Dead Pigs Dumped Near Muslim Graves in Australian cemetery – WAToday
Authorities are investigating an incident in which two dead pigs were dumped in the Muslim section of a Baldivis cemetery. Two pigs’ heads and a pile of entrails were left beneath a sign denoting the Muslim burial area of Rockingham Regional Memorial Park. Cemetery staff discovered the carcasses on Monday morning and notified police, the […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Modi gets RSS nod to raise Ram temple issue in 2014 polls – Hindustan Times
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday endorsed BJP poll campaign chief and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s plan to raise the Ram temple issue in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. This emerged in a meeting – which lasted for two-and-a-half hours — between Modi and Bhagwat at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Tuesday evening, […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
6 Whistleblowers Who Turned Out To Be Right After Being Ignored – Huffington Post
When Edward Snowden revealed himself as the whistleblower who leaked information about the National Security Agency’s data collection program, he became the subject of troves of media attention and an international manhunt. Such a situation is relatively rare. Consider the many whistleblowers — especially those in corporate America — who cry foul, only to watch […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Met chief sorry for police spies using dead children’s identities – guardian.co.uk
Britain’s most senior police officer has offered a general apology for the “morally repugnant” theft of dead children’s identities by undercover spies who infiltrated political groups. But Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has refused to tell any families if the identities of their children were stolen by the undercover officers. He said he wanted […]
more…17 Jul, 2013
Asia Times Online: Tour of shame for Myanmar President Thein Sein
BANGKOK – Myanmar’s President Thein Sein travels to London and Paris this week, where he will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande. Now that decades-long European Union economic sanctions against Myanmar have been lifted – with the exception of an arms embargo – trade and investment are expected to dominate […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Little respite seen for youth, low-skilled workers worst hit by jobs crisis in OECD countries
Paris, (OECD media release) 16/07/2013 – Unemployment in OECD countries will remain high through 2014, with young people and the low-skilled hit hardest, according to a new OECD report. Download the data in Excel for all OECD countries The Employment Outlook 2013 says that jobless rates will fall only slightly over the next 18 months, […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
China’s cash-thirsty small business get more loans
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — China’s banks extended more loans to the country’s small and micro-sized enterprises, as cash-strapped companies played a pivotal role in stabilizing employment, official data showed Monday. By the end of May, the credit balance of small and micro-sized enterprises totaled 16 trillion yuan (2.58 trillion U.S. dollars), accounting for 22.22 […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Merkel calls for stronger Europe, global data rules
BERLIN, July 15 (Xinhua) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Sunday for strict global rules on the protection of personal data in the wake of the recently revealed U.S. surveillance activities in EU and Germany. In a TV interview with the public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening, Merkel said Germany wanted internet companies to tell […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Indian Tourism Minister: 180 Monuments up for “adoption” by corporate sector
New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 15-July, 2013 – Union Tourism Minister Mr K. Chiranjeevi has called for the active involvement of the corporate sector to “adopt important tourist sites and monuments as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.” Chairing the meeting of National Tourism Advisory Council here today, he noted that the Indian […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Wealth gap eroding New Zealand’s egalitarian society: study
WELLINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) — New Zealand’s widening wealth gap is having a major impact on the country’s sense of “wellbeing, ” according to the country’s first social index. The survey of 9,962 adult New Zealanders found that compared with 22 European countries using the same measures, New Zealand ” consistently ranks near the bottom” […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Drone strikes ineffective and only serve to help anti-Americanism
Islamabad, 15 July, 2013 – On June 8, a US drone attack in North Wazirstan killed seven people. It was the first drone attack since Nawaz Sharif took office as Pakistan’s prime minister for the third time. He condemned the attack as a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), are […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
More Whistleblowing: Police spy says UK Home Office issued passports in names of dead children | The Guardian
A second police spy has said the Home Office was aware that undercover police officers stole the identities of dead children to infiltrate political groups. Peter Francis, a former undercover officer turned whistleblower, said the Home Office helped the spies by providing false passports in the names of the dead children. His claim comes as […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Chris Hedges: Locking Out the Voices of Dissent – Truthdig
The goal of the corporate state is to criminalize democratic, popular dissent before there is another popular eruption. The vast state surveillance system, detailed in Edward Snowden’s revelations to the British newspaper The Guardian, at the same time ensures that no action or protest can occur without the advanced knowledge of our internal security apparatus. […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
‘Biased’ Israeli visa plan pits U.S. Congress against White House | The Japan Times
Some critics are sensitive about expressing their reservations in public, wishing to avoid getting in a public argument with a close ally, with the bills’ supporters or with the powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. Boxer said the law will benefit U.S. citizens by specifically requiring the secretaries of state and homeland security to certify that Israel […]
more…16 Jul, 2013
Israeli PM threatens to strike Iran – Al Jazeera English
Netanyahu went on to say that Israel had a more narrow timetable than Washington, implying it may have to take unilateral action to halt Iran’s controversial nuclear programme. “Our clocks are ticking at a different pace. We’re closer than the United States. We’re more vulnerable. And therefore, we’ll have to address this question of how […]
more…15 Jul, 2013
GM crops remain problematic for Asian countries
HARBIN, July 13 (Xinhua) — The role of genetic modification (GM) technology in Asian agriculture remains unclear and individual countries have adopted different approaches to tackle the sensitive subject. At a food security meeting held by ASEAN Plus Three (APT) countries this week, participants from ASEAN countries, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) […]
more…15 Jul, 2013
Fanatic Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex
Ramallah, 15 July 2013 (IINA) – A group of fanatic Jewish settlers yesterday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex in occupied Jerusalem for prayers, a Palestinian official said. Sheikh Najeh Bkeirat, the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex manager, said that 180 settlers, including 18 rabbis, entered the compound through the Al-Magharebah gate. Bkeirat added that settlers walked around […]
more…15 Jul, 2013
Chinese firms ‘need self-defense strategy’ as European trade protectionism grows
Beijing, 13 July 2013 (China Daily) – Trade remedy investigations against China are at a peak this year. So Chinese companies should safeguard their interests by actively defending themselves through effective measures, a commerce official said. Zhou Dalin, deputy director-general of the bureau of fair trade for imports and exports of the Ministry of Commerce, […]
more…15 Jul, 2013
Malaysia To Host World Tourism Conference in Oct 2013
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 15 July 2013 (07 Ramadan 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.
more…15 Jul, 2013
Berlin Wall hosts giant portraits of world’s barriers – Ahram Online
Giant portraits of the world’s most tense borders went on display Tuesday on the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, in what organisers called a protest underlining the futility of barriers to resolve conflict. The “Wall on Wall” project by German photographer Kai Wiedenhoefer features 36 panoramas taken in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Cyprus, the […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
BBC News – UK soldier and veteran suicides ‘outstrip Afghan deaths’
More British soldiers and veterans took their own lives in 2012 than died fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan over the same period. BBC Panorama learned that 21 serving soldiers killed themselves last year, along with 29 veterans. The Afghanistan death toll was 44, of whom 40 died in action. Read the rest: BBC News – […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
78% of CEOs Say Ad & Media Agencies Are Not Performance-Driven Enough
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– July 11, 2013 — 78% of CEOs around the world believe Ad & Media Agencies are not performance-driven enough and do not focus enough on helping to generate the (real and P&L-quantifiable) business results they expect their Marketing departments to deliver. That’s one of the findings tracked by The Fournaise Marketing Group – […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Ten Ways a Simple Rubber Band Can be of BIG Help
Hot Springs, AR (PRWEB) July 09, 2013 – Spring cleaning has passed, and for many the time has come for summer organizing. Arkansas-based Alliance Rubber has created a list of useful household tips using the simple and inexpensive rubber band. Organizing can be made simple and cost effective. The following is a top 10 list […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
New ITUC Report: “Severe Violations” of Trade Union Rights Continuing
Unemployment rates and income inequality are increasing globally. Trade unionists continue to fight for jobs, rights and equality. This fight often costs them their jobs, and sometimes even their lives, in various parts of the world. Since 2006, the ITUC, the largest and most democratic social movement of the world, has been monitoring violations of […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
18 European sustainable mobility initiatives get funding support
Brussels, 8 July 2013, European Commission Press release – As part of its three-year Sustainable Urban Mobility campaign “Do The Right Mix”, the European Commission has today released the names of another 18 campaigner-led actions to be awarded funding. Each action will receive up to EUR 7000, which can be used to strengthen activities promoting […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Global Trades Union Appeal: Organise for October 7, World Day for Decent Work
4 July 2013: In the six years after the launch of the World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) tens of millions of people have taken action on October 7 to stand up for union rights and decent work. This year again, unions from across the world will be calling in unison for social justice and […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
New Era of Motivational Speaking Emerges
Miami, FL (PRWEB) July 12, 2013 – Out with the old; in with the new. Steven Jobs ushered in a new technological age with Apple, Inc., Jay – Z has become the Holy Grail of the music industry with the partnership of Samsung and now Craig Stafford creates a new form of motivational speaking. SMS […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Survey: 2 Out of 3 Parents Worry About Ads in Kids Apps
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 13, 2013 – It’s nothing new. Many application developers have business models that rely on third party advertising to support their no cost apps – even those developed for small children. 100 Things, a company developing picture book kids apps, released the results of a consumer survey it conducted that […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Free meals help mosque show Islam to Japan – The Japan Times
As the Muslim monthlong fasting period known as Ramadan began Tuesday, Tokyo Camii, the largest mosque in Japan, began providing free “iftar” (evening meals) to 200 visitors, regardless of religion, to introduce residents to Islamic culture. The first day began with “azan,” the Muslim call to prayer recited at dusk. Azan is called before every […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Number of nonregular workers hits record high | The Japan Times
Nonregular workers made up a record-high 38.2 percent of the workforce last year, topping the 20 million mark for the first time, a government survey has revealed. The workers, who include part-time and contract employees, totaled 20.42 million, up 1.52 million from the previous survey in 2007, the data released Friday by the Internal Affairs […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Are consultants worth the money? Sydney Morning Herald
They are the management consultants – influential guns for hire whose services come with a hefty price tag, staffed by the brightest, youngest things top-notch universities can produce. Since the first, McKinsey & Co, arrived in Australia in 1962, the top companies – McKinsey, Bain & Co and Boston Consulting Group (BCG)- have become ubiquitous, […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
Saudi labour crackdown to hit Asia hard – GulfNews.com
The clampdown could hurt countries from Egypt to the Philippines that rely on Saudi Arabia’s economy to prop up their own with money sent from abroad. Neighboring Yemen, whose economy is significantly bolstered by remittances, has already warned the measures could destabilize its fragile government. Saudi Arabia is the third-biggest global provider of worker remittances […]
more…14 Jul, 2013
S. American states to recall envoys from Europe — RT News
South American countries belonging to the Mercosur trade bloc have decided to withdraw their ambassadors for consultations from European countries involved in the grounding of the Bolivian president’s plane. “We’ve taken a number of actions in order to compel public explanations and apologies from the European nations that assaulted our brother Evo Morales,” explained Venezuela’s […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
India Inaugurates Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show 2013
Ministry of Textiles, 12-July, 2013 – The Union Minister of Textiles Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao today inaugurated the 6th edition of the Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show (IFJAS 2013) here today. The show is organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). Dr. Rao said that the exporters have promised to take the […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
India To Boost R&D In Bid to Become One Of Top Five Knowledge Powers
New Delhi, Ministry of Science & Technology, 12-July, 2013 – The Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) today released a white paper on Stimulation of Private Sector’s investment into Research & Development. Union Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Mr S.Jaipal Reddy, speaking on the occasion, said business […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
India To Launch SMS Portal For Poor Farmers
Ministry of Agriculture, 11-July, 2013 — An SMS portal for farmers, the Kisaan SMS Portal, will be launched by the President Mr Pranab Mukherjee on 16th July, 2013. The Kisaan Portal aims at reaching information, advisories and services through SMS to more than 12 crore (1.2 billion) farmers across the country. Being an instant and […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
Chinese cinemagoers tired of watching American superheroes saving the world
Beijing, (China Daily), 2013-07-12 – It seems to be the best of times for China’s film industry. With Tiny Times raking in 263 million yuan ($42.89 million) in the last four days of June (it was released on June 27), the domestic film market registered its highest half-yearly box office returns -10.9 billion yuan in […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
China’s economic transformation a boon for U.S.: analysts
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — As China and the United States are seeking to cast a new relationship model, the latter needs to be more prepared for a Chinese economic transformation that could create massive opportunities instead of threats, analysts have said. Concluding on Friday in Washington, the two-day annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
Xinhua Insight: China’s economy caught in balancing act
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — Attempting to balance economic development in the face of a global meltdown with reform efforts that will likely slow the economy is proving to be difficult for Chinese authorities. However, Premier Li Keqiang gave some suggestions on dealing with the conundrum in a speech delivered during an inspection tour of […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
China Tells U.S. to “Review the Past” in Defining the Future
WASHINGTON, July 11 (Xinhua) — U.S. and Chinese officials concluded their fifth round of annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) here on Thursday. In this first annual dialogue held after a leadership change in the world’s two major countries, the two sides forged ahead to find a new path for a new type of major-country […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
China eyes energy-saving, IT industries to spur domestic demand
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — China is to speed up development in the energy-saving industry and promote consumption of IT-related products and services as it looks to spur domestic demand and push economic upgrading. Stimulating growth in the two sectors is a multi-purpose approach aimed at easing resource restraints, unleashing consumption potential, stimulating effective investments […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
India Visa on Arrival Scheme +38% in First Half 2013
New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 12-July, 2013 – Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the Government continues to be popular with foreign tourists. It registered a growth of 22.9 percent during June, 2013 as compared to June, 2012. During the month, a total number of 1,062 VoAs were issued as compared to 864 during June, […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
Samsung Offers Nearly 3,000 Teens a College Experience to Inspire Careers in Science
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 11, 2013–Samsung today announced its Summer Science Program, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education program for high school youth from across the United States. With Samsung’s support, nearly 3,000 teens will attend week-long immersion sessions at one of six participating universities across the country during the summer. The universities […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
UN Rights Chief Urges Protection For Individuals Revealing Human Rights Violations
United Nations, Jul 12 2013 United Nations, (UN News Centre) – A senior United Nations official today stressed the need to respect the right to privacy, using the case of United States citizen Edward Snowden to illustrate the urgent need to protect individuals who reveal human rights violations. “Snowden’s case has shown the need to […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
Social Media at Weddings: “Consequences of hasty sharing can be catastrophic”
SUNNYVALE, Calif.-July 11, 2013-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wedding season is in full swing in the U.S. If you aren’t jetting off to a wedding every other weekend, chances are your social media accounts have been invaded with an overwhelming number of wedding posts and photos. You are not alone. In fact, seven in 10 twitter-using wedding guests admitted […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
Myanmar turns blind eye to massacre of young Muslims | The Japan Times
MEIKHTILA, MYANMAR – Their bones are scattered in blackened patches of earth across a hillside overlooking the wrecked Islamic boarding school they once called home. Smashed fragments of skulls rest atop the dirt. A shattered jaw cradles half a set of teeth. And among the remains lie the sharpened bamboo staves attackers used to beat […]
more…13 Jul, 2013
America’s dirty war at home – The Japan Times
Hannah Arendt identified “the boomerang effect of imperialism on the homeland” in “The Origins of Totalitarianism,” but the academic Douglas Porch has used the history of Britain, France and America to demonstrate that all the rhetoric about bringing, respectively, Britishness, liberty and freedom and democracy to the “little brown people who have no lights” is […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Telstra storing data on behalf of US government – Sydney Morning Herald
Telstra agreed more than a decade ago to store huge volumes of electronic communications it carried between Asia and America for potential surveillance by United States intelligence agencies. Under the previously secret agreement, the telco was required to route all communications involving a US point of contact through a secure storage facility on US soil […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
India Sets Up First Women-Only University
Cabinet, 11-July, 2013 – The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a National University for Women in Uttar Pradesh by the name of “The Indira Gandhi National University for Women”. This will be the first university of the country to be established exclusively for women. The cost involved is Rs.500 crore during the 12th Plan period. […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
EC bid to curb European toxic waste shipments to Asia, Africa
Brussels, 11 July 2013, European Commission Press release – The European Commission took action today to tackle illegal waste shipments that are causing damage to human health and the environment. The Commission proposed stronger legislation on national inspections of waste shipments to ensure that all Member States have similar levels of control. Around 25 % of […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
New EU Rules to boost cosmetics safety, combat misleading claims
Brussels, 11 July 2013 European Commission Press release – As of today, cosmetics on shop shelves, both manufactured in the EU and imported from third countries, should be fully compliant with the Cosmetics Regulation ensuring strengthened safety standards and providing better information for the consumers. Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for Consumer Policy, said: “From daily […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
€600 million research to unblock European airspace congestion
Brussels, 10 July 2013, European Commission Press release – The European Commission has today announced €600 million of new funding to unblock congestion in Europe’s airspace. The Commission is looking to head off a capacity crunch as the number of flights is forecast to increase by 50% over the next 10-20 years. The goal is […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
European Commission launches strategy to globalise universities, attract students
Brussels, 11 July 2013, European Commission Press release – The international higher education landscape is changing dramatically in shape and size, with greater competition from countries such as China and India. This calls for an overhaul in the way Europe’s 4,000 universities operate – not only internationally, but also in how they deliver education to […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
India Sets Up First National Aviation University
Cabinet, 11-July, 2013 – The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the proposal for setting up of a National Aviation University (NAU) in the name of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University at the District of Rae Bareli in the State of Uttar Pradesh. as a Central University. The Cabinet also approved the proposal to […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
More Chinese cities likely to curb car purchases
Beijing, (China Daily) 2013-07-11 – Eight more cities are likely to announce policies this year curbing the purchase of vehicles for private use, as worries about pollution and traffic congestion rise around the country, an official from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Wednesday. Four cities already have such curbs: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Did Korean culture contribute to Asiana crash? – Japan Times
The investigative report said that Park was irritated by their late departure from London. The report said that though Yoon was communicating correct information to the tower, Park spoke at him in a “derogatory” fashion, saying, “Make sure you understand what ground control is saying before you speak.” Seconds later, he barked: “Answer them! They […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Japan plans easier residency status for “highly skilled professionals” – Japan Times
Japan might make it easier for “highly skilled professionals” to acquire permanent residency status so it can lure the talent it needs to rejuvenate the stagnant economy. Under discussion is cutting the minimum requirement for consecutive years of stay to three years from five, Immigration Bureau official Yusuke Takeuchi told The Japan Times on Thursday. […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Neoliberalism and public unrest: Time to connect the dots – Al Jazeera English
Political and economic elites, working in tandem, have managed to neutralise the aspirations of ordinary people, in part spurring the disenfranchisement driving the protests. Whether it is the removal of subsidies protecting the poor against inflation and price shocks in Egypt, or the enormous cost of hosting high profile sporting events in Brazil at the […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Jim Dean, PressTV – NSA spying never catches Israelis – Why not?
The field reports from Afghanistan and Iraq involved Israelis being picked up as contractors doing very nasty things, and yes, doing them even to American troops. None of that stuff made its way into the leakers shocking release pile. We have people who wrote some of those reports, and they were major headlines. My verdict? […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
Executive Travel Directors Reveals 4 Reasons to Outsource Travel Staff
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) July 10, 2013 – Over the years, meeting planners have assumed more and more responsibilities in the already taxing program coordination process. While letting go of the reins on such an involved project may be a little worrisome, partnering with a third-party staffing supplier can take a lot of administrative stress off […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
China issues timetable for govt info disclosure, foreign travel included
BEIJING, 2013-07-10, (Xinhua) – The State Council, China’s Cabinet, on Wednesday issued a timetable for disclosing government spending on receptions, vehicles and overseas trips, as well as information on investigations into major accidents. According to the State Council’s plan, provincial governments should disclose their spending on the three items starting from 2013, and municipal and county […]
more…12 Jul, 2013
American Intellectuals’ Widespread Failure to Stand Up to Billionaires and Authoritarian Power | Alternet
Given the considerable resources in the United States spent to subsidize intellectual work, why are so many intellectuals—journalists, academics, writers—not critiquing the many hierarchical institutions and not highlighting the disastrous consequences of these systems? Why are so many intellectuals instead providing support for the institutions and systems? Why is the majority of intellectual work in […]
more…11 Jul, 2013
11 Big Myths About the Economy That Are Destroying America | Alternet
As we can see from the current dismal state of economic affairs, economies are incredibly complex systems, and policymakers who are forced to act in the face of this uncertainty and complexity want guidance. And over the last half century, neoclassical economists have not only been more than happy to offer it, but largely been […]
more…11 Jul, 2013
Travel to benefit by more competition in mobile communications, says OECD
Paris, (OECD media release), 11/07/2013 – OECD countries must ensure mobile markets remain open and competitive in order to sustain innovation and meet rising demand for data services, according to a new OECD report. It indicates that travel could be a major beneficiary of this. Communications Outlook 2013 says that revenues from data services are […]
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