Author Archive
6 Mar, 2013
FREE Download: ADB Anti-corruption Report Lists Private Sector’s Heinous Creativity
MANILA, 4 March 2013 – Private companies, which regularly rail against public sector corruption and fraud, are themselves resorting to the same dirty tricks in attempts to access the millions of dollars worth of loans and grants disseminated annually by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), an official bank report shows. The Annual Report released on […]
more…6 Mar, 2013
Watching the Watchers: Israeli Espionage in U.S.
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 05, 2013 – On March 21, 2012 U.S. prosecutors played FBI surveillance video in court of former NASA employee Stewart Nozette agreeing to sell U.S. government secrets to Israel. Nozette was then sentenced to thirteen years in prison. The FBI surveillance video, obtained by the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy (IRmep) under […]
more…6 Mar, 2013
Toyota Launches ‘Toyota i-Road’ Personal Mobility Concept at Geneva Motor Show
Toyota City, Japan, Mar 4, 2013 – (JCN Newswire) – Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has unveiled the “Toyota i-Road” personal mobility concept at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show(1) now under way in Geneva until March 17. The concept, a three-wheeler with motorcycle-like maneuverability, is ideally suited for short-distance urban travel and was designed to […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
China’s Home-Grown C919 Jumbo Jet Plans Global Takeoff in 2014
Beijing, March 04, 2013 – China’s C919 jumbo jet is expected to begin its maiden flight in 2014, said Wu Guanghui, vice president of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and chief designer of the C919. Wu, also the member of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said this on Monday. “This is China’s first […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Chinese Upset by Behaviour of Some Of Their Fellow Travellers Abroad
March 04, 2013 – A February 22 post on Weibo shed some unkind light on the image of the “ugly Chinese” recently. Wen Fei, a Chinese woman working in Paris, posted a description of her encounter with some behaviors that give a bad name to Chinese overseas travelers. The incident took place on an Air […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Booz Allen Awarded US$11 billion U.S. Homeland Security Contracts
MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– February 28, 2013 — Booz Allen Hamilton today announced it was awarded two, five-year contracts under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Technical, Acquisition and Business Support Services (TABSS) $11 billion multiple-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract vehicle. The wins, awarded on November 30, 2012 and February 15, 2013, are to support […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
FREE Download: McKinsey Institute Report on Financial Globalization: Retreat or Reset?
March 2013 (McKinsey Global Institute) – For three decades, the globalization of finance appeared to be an unstoppable trend: as the world economy became more tightly integrated, new technology and access to new markets propelled cross-border capital flows to unprecedented heights. But the financial crisis brought that era of rapid growth to a halt. Drawing […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Popular Resistance: Rethinking South Africa by Dr Mazin Qumsiyeh
We were given tours of places like the Apartheid Museum, the Voortrekker monument, the Freedom Park, the Diepsoot Township/settlement, and Mandela’s house. At the Apartheid Museum we were painfully reminded of all the suffering and indignity of the era. The killings, economic injustice, and human rights violations were then rampant as they are today in […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Imtiaz Muqbil’s Columns in Lookeast Magazine
Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil writes two columns a month in Lookeast magazine, one of Thailand’s leading consumer travel publications. Here are some of the recent columns: Thammasat University – A Must-see Destination Russian Visitors To Thailand: Women Outnumber Men The Next Big Thing: Northeast Thailand China is Now Dominant Force in Thai […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Wild and Precious’ Plants and Animals in Focus at CITES Photo Exhibition in Bangkok
Bangkok, 03 March 2013 – Vibrantly-coloured snakes, predatory sharks, and delicate orchids are among the flora and fauna featured in a new international photography exhibition and publication launched today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the 16th Meeting of the […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Silk Road Journeys: Uzbeks Target Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia
BANGKOK – A 12-member tourism delegation from Uzbekistan visited Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore last week in a bid to raise the profile of the Silk Road country and boost travel between Southeast Asia and Central Asia. It was the second roadshow in as many years. Last year, the delegation visited Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. This […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Indian VP Releases “Excreta Does Matter” Report, Calls Waste Water “A Ticking Health Bomb”
Vice President’s Secretariat 04-March, 2013 – The Vice President of India, Prof Dr M. Hamid Ansari has said that India must work towards conserving water to minimize the generation of waste water. Addressing at the “Second Anil Agrawal Dialogue on ‘Excreta does Matter” organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) here today, he […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
China’s WTO Rep Warns of Increased Trade Friction with Europe, US
BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) — China should be mindful of increased trade frictions with European countries and the United States, the Chinese representative to World Trade Organization (WTO) warned on Monday. “China must remain alert to the intensity, measures and involved industrial sectors concerning trade restrictions on China,” said Yi Xiaozhun, permanent representative of China […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
US is the Don Corleone of International Politics — RT Op-Ed
The US corporate over-world has always worked closely with the CIA, the State Department and the Pentagon promoting the overthrow – known as “regime change in rogue states” – of governments that do not automatically align to US interests; or, better said, of governments that do not automatically align with the interests of the supra-national […]
more…5 Mar, 2013
Sequestering American Exceptionalism: Asia Times Online
The United States is moving against the tide of history in attempting to maintain its self-appointed world policeman role. The development of international institutions and law are more than a century in the making and will no doubt require another century to secure. But the “American Century” is most certainly coming to an end. The […]
more…4 Mar, 2013
European Commission launches Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs
Brussels, 4 March 2013, European Commission, Press release – Commission President José Manuel Barroso today called on Europe’s digital businesses, governments, training and education sectors to join a Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs to address up to 900,000 job vacancies expected to exist in Europe in Information and Communication technologies (ICT) by 2015. Despite the […]
more…4 Mar, 2013
U.S. Housewares Company Forecasts Kitchen Trends For 2013
ROSEMONT, Ill., March 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — World Kitchen, which claims to be America’s leading housewares company, forecasts kitchen and dinner table trends as the 2013 International Home and Housewares Show commences today in Chicago. Highlighting style and functionality, the family of World Kitchen brands delivers on-trend solutions to consumers this year. “A new year […]
more…4 Mar, 2013
Qatar-Oman Joint Tourist Visa for 33 Countries
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 04 March 2013 (21 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story.
more…4 Mar, 2013
Open Letter by Civil Liberties Group to Indian PM on Hyderabad Blast
So, Mr. Prime Minister, people of this country are wondering as to why the investigative agencies are fighting and competing with each other to investigate the Hyderabad blasts? Why the Hyderabad police are not allowing NIA to investigate the case? The Hyderabad police have already failed in solving the Makkah Masjid bomb blast and twin […]
more…3 Mar, 2013
Oxfam Survey Slags Big Brand Food Multinationals for Exploiting Land, Labour
London, 26 Feb 2013 (Oxfam Press releases) – The “Big 10” food and beverage companies – that together make $1 billion-a-day – are failing millions of people in developing countries who supply land, labor, water and commodities needed to make their products. Behind the Brands – part of Oxfam’s GROW campaign to fix the broken […]
more…3 Mar, 2013
Bradley Manning’s Full Statement: My Goal was to Spark Domestic Debate on Iraq war
I believe that if the general public, especially the American public, had access to the information contained within the CIDNE-I and CIDNE-A tables this could spark a domestic debate on the role of the military and our foreign policy in general as [missed word] as it related to Iraq and Afghanistan. I also believed the […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Lead Lawyers Appointed to Sue US Online Travel Sites, Hotel Chains for Price-Fixing
SEATTLE, March 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, a consumer-protection law firm, today announced that it has been named interim lead counsel in a price-fixing class-action lawsuit brought against several online travel sites including Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE); Travelocity; Booking.com, a subsidiary of Priceline.com (NASDAQ: PCLN), as well as many of the […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Finding Peace & Calm in the US: California Retreat Offers Yoga Vacations
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) March 02, 2013 – The Yoga retreat in California offers year-round Yoga vacations in a calm environment, allowing visitors to enjoy the benefits of Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and healthy vegetarian food. As the Yoga retreat environment, Swami Sitaramananda said, “The retreat environment is conducive to rapid progress in regaining health, […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Gallup Poll: Americans’ Reactions to Sequester Include “Bad,” “Disaster”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans are much more likely to use negative words or phrases — including “bad,” “disaster,” and “God help us” — than positive ones to describe their views on the federal government budget sequester. These responses are from an open-ended question Gallup asked Americans on Feb. 25-26, as politicians and the media heightened […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
India’s Handloom Weaver Loans at Low Rate “to be a Game Changer”
Ministry of Textiles, 01-March, 2013 – The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles Mr Anand Sharma has welcomed the announcements made by the Finance Minister on textiles sector in his Budget Speech yesterday. Mr Sharma, while delivering the keynote address during the one-day conference on National Consultation on Handloom sector, here today said that […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Attack on Mosque Illustrates Relationship Between F.B.I. and Muslims in Bay Area – NYTimes.com
Early one morning in 2007, Muhammad Chaudhry showed up at the Islamic Center of East Bay in Antioch, Calif., and found seven bullet holes in one of the building’s front windows. Soon, agents from the San Francisco office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrived and documented it and previous incidents at the center. In […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
UK Doctors: urgent action on alcohol needed | The Guardian
Doctors’ leaders want tough action to limit the sale and promotion of alcohol, including cigarette-style graphic warnings and an end to drinks firms sponsoring sport, to tackle the growing toll of drink-related problems. A coalition of medical organisations, including those representing GPs, A&E doctors and surgeons, urges ministers in a new report to implement an […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Sky Aviation takes delivery of its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 | The Jakarta Post
Last year’s crash involving a Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ 100) that claimed the lives of 45 was heartbreaking, but Sky Aviation president director Krisman Tarigan says that he is optimistic its first Russian aircraft will provide customers with safety and comfort, and attract a full complement of passengers in the first quarter of its operation. […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Meet the real ‘neo-libs’ of Indonesia | The Jakarta Post
Traditional markets may be coming under a lot of pressure from the modern, big-money supermarkets and hypermarkets, but small traders know a thing or two about surviving the competition. And that may just be their saving grace. Anyone looking for evidence of how a free market operates based on the forces of supply and demand […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
Jet-set life takes off for China’s super-rich
Beijing, 2013-02-25, (China Daily) – Four of Europe‘s top museums, namely the Louvre, Pompidou Center, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, plan to close their doors to exclusively welcome a group of 10 travelers from the Chinese mainland on March 10. A Shanghai resident who called himself Charles Wang is one of the travelers who […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
China’s Billionaires on Rise
Beijing 2013-03-01, (China Daily) – China has had more billionaires created by its stock markets this year than in the United States – 212 compared with 211 – a new survey revealed on Thursday. According to the latest Hurun Global Rich List 2013, there were 1,453 people in the world with personal wealth of $1 billion or […]
more…2 Mar, 2013
India Proposes Adding 16 Countries, 6 Airports to Visa on Arrival Facility
Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 01-March, 2013 – Union Tourism Minister Mr K Chiranjeevi met the Union Home Minister Mr Sushilkumar Shinde here today and submitted a proposal to extend Visa-on-arrivals to 16 more countries. The Ministry of Tourism strongly believes that the “Tourist Visa – on – Arrival (TVOA)” facility for those countries, which are […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
World has Failed the Promise of “Never Again”: UN Adviser
United Nations, Feb 28 2013 (UN News Centre) – The number of situations around the world that clearly indicate a risk of mass atrocities has possibly never been higher, demanding urgent preventive action, the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide said today. “We recognize the signs, we sound the alarm, but yet […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
ITB 2013 Curtain-Raiser: Three Over-Arching Challenges Facing Europe
Dublin, 25 February 2013 (European Commission Press release) – Speech by Olli REHN, Vice-President of the European Commission and member of the Commission responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, at the Interparliamentary Meeting. Thank you for the invitation to this meeting of chairpersons of Finance Committees. The theme of this discussion is […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
ITB 2013 Curtain-Raiser: Homelessness in Europe at Unprecedented Levels
Leuven, 1 March 2013 (European Commission Press Release) – Speech delivered by László ANDOR, European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the Irish Presidency Conference on Homelessness. First of all, I would like to thank the Irish Presidency for this very timely initiative. This informal Roundtable will allow us to discuss how […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
Passenger Rights: EU Extends Protection for Bus, Coach Travellers
Brussels, (European Commission Press Release), March 1, 2013 – Today, Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger rights becomes applicable, providing bus and coach travellers throughout the EU with new rights. The regulation lays down travellers’ basic rights, and imposes a number of obligations on bus and coach companies and terminal managers concerning […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
China Plans to Boost Services, Cut Dependence on Exports
Beijing, 2013-02-27, (China Daily) There has been talk of a currency war among the major industrialized countries this year. Many people outside China are worried that it will join this tug-of-war to avoid fast appreciation of the yuan, as it still relies on exports to drive economic growth. But this belief is outdated. In fact, […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
Facing the Specter of Muslim American Terrorism | Alternet
Muslim Americans are feeling more insecure. We no longer know who is watching us at school, work, or even at our place of worship. We don’t know if our friend is really a friend or an undercover agent. Life is bound to become full of fear, suspicion and stress. Add to that the current wave […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
Department of Homeland Security: Bloated, Ill-defined Boondoggle | Alternet
Imagine a labyrinthine government department so bloated that few have any clear idea of just what its countless pieces do. Imagine that tens of billions of tax dollars are disappearing into it annually, black hole-style, since it can’t pass a congressionally mandated audit. Now, imagine that there are two such departments, both gigantic, and you’re […]
more…1 Mar, 2013
The rise and fall of mysterious Mossad agent – English pravda.ru
According to publications, being a Mossad agent, Australian citizen Zygier registered a satellite communications company in Italy and worked there with two other Australians, who also held Israeli citizenship. Mossad’s fake company was selling electronic equipment and components to Arab countries. Judging by publications, Zygier personally visited Iran several times, and possibly also Syria and […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
Malaysia Brokers Another Deal To Help Bring Peace to Southeast Asia
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) — In yet another drive for regional peace and stability, Malaysia successfully initiated a general consensus treaty that was signed today between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a southern Thailand Muslim insurgency group. The treaty, which is to pave the way for a dialogue process for […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
China’s Elderly Population to Cross 200 mln in 2013
BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) — China will have 202 million elderly people in 2013, accounting for 14.8 percent of the total population, the China Research Center on Aging said on Wednesday. According to a center report, the country witnessed the first peak in its growing elderly population, which included 194 million senior citizens at the […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
Massive IRs 87 Crore Hike in Indian Tourism Budget
Ministry of Tourism, 28-February, 2013 – Keeping in view the importance of Tourism sector, the allocation for Ministry of Tourism in the Union Budget presented today has been hiked by Rs.87.66 crore (1 crore is 10 million). The allocation for the Ministry this year is Rs.1297.66 crore while it was Rs. 1210 crore in the […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
India, Iran must promote trade, economic links: President Mukherjee
New Delhi, Feb 28 2013 (Press Trust of India) – India and Iran must work together to further promote trade and economic links, increased people-to-people contacts between them and within the region, President Pranab Mukherjee has said. Welcoming a Parliamentary delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said, “Throughout history, […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
India Provides List of All Areas Needing Special Entry Permits by Indians and Foreigners
Ministry of Home Affairs, 27-February, 2013 – Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the ‘Inner line’ and the “International Border of the State” have been declared as Protected Area. Currently, Protected Areas are located in the following States:- (i) Whole of Arunachal Pradesh (ii) Parts of Himachal Pradesh (iii) Parts […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
FREE Download: World In 2013 – ICT Facts & Figures
Geneva, 27 February, 2013 – New figures released today by the International Telecommunications Union confirm strong sustained demand for information and communication technology (ICT) services, with uptake spurred by a steady fall in the price of broadband Internet. ITU’s The World in 2013: ICT Facts and Figures report predicts that there will soon be as many mobile-cellular […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
India Passes First Law to Curb Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Ministry of Women and Child Development, 27 February, 2013 – The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 26th February 2013. The Lok Sabha had passed it in September 2012. The law will have widespread impact in the Indian and global travel & […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
An Open Letter to Tourism Ministers at ITB 2013: Your Job Now Is To Protect Ours
Dear Ministers: The ITB 2013 will be held at a critical juncture in global history. What the World Economic Forum refers to as the “Seeds of Dystopia” are sprouting shoots everywhere. The ongoing tectonic power shifts include the rise of the Asian Century, decline of the Western industrialised world, turbulence in the Arab/Islamic world and […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
Gallup Poll: Desire to Leave Same in U.S. and Mexico
The U.S. has long prided itself on its ability to attract rather than lose residents, and some have seen Mexico as the main hub for U.S.-bound immigration. The Gallup data call into question these long-held assumptions because as many Mexicans would leave Mexico as Americans would leave America. Read the rest: Desire to Leave Same […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
In Extraordinary Move, Entire Maldives to Become Biosphere Reserve
COLOMBO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) — In a record-making initiative, the Maldives has volunteered to become the first nation where the entire country will be a Biosphere Reserve, a United Nations environment organization said in a statement on Wednesday. The pledge by the Maldives is in response for stakeholders to take urgent action towards achieving the […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
The Hindu: India’s Water Crisis
“Every apartment is a dream come true — the coronet that tops the king-sized lifestyle of true blue blood.” So run the ads. Yup. The blue bloods do it big. Each apartment has its own private swimming pool. These are, after all, “super-luxurious, supersized designer apartments.” The kind that “match the royal lifestyles.” There are […]
more…28 Feb, 2013
Tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade Focus of Triennial IUCN Meeting in Bangkok
Bangkok, 26 February 2013 (IUCN media release): New measures to sustainably manage the international trade in sharks, rhinos, elephants and numerous other species will be debated at the triennial conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which takes place 3 to 14 March in Bangkok. With […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
INTERPOL Targets Illegal Trade of e-Waste in Europe, Africa
LYON, France, 25 February 2013 – The first INTERPOL operation targeting the illegal trade of electronic waste saw the seizure of more than 240 tonnes of electronic equipment and electrical goods and the launch of criminal investigations against some 40 companies involved in all aspects of the illicit trade. Held in November and December 2012, […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Frugality, anti-corruption campaigns affect luxury brand sales in China
SHANGHAI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) — Sales of luxury goods on the Chinese mainland, a fast growing market for the sector in recent years, are on the decline as the country fights against corruption and extravagance. “Sales have dropped a lot,” said a salesman of a Parker pens brand store on Fuzhou Road in east China’s […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
International students in Canada reach record high in 2012
OTTAWA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) — The number of international students pursuing post-secondary studies in Canada reached a record high last year, the authorities said here Tuesday. In 2012, the number of foreign students in Canada amounted to 104,777 in 2012, representing a 6.5-percent increase from 2011 and a sizable 60-percent hike from 2004, Citizenship and […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Leadership Traits Influenced by Behaviour As a Spouse: Relationship Expert Hellen Chen
(PRWEB) February 26, 2013 – In early February, relationship expert and management consultant Hellen Chen completed a workshop advising CEOs and executives on how to increase the quality of their life outside the workplace – namely their social life. For years as a business management consultant, Chen had traveled around the world and been invited […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
2013 TED Prize Awarded to Indian Education Innovator Dr. Sugata Mitra
LONG BEACH, California, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Sugata Mitra today was named the recipient of the 2013 TED Prize. A renowned educator famous for his “hole in the wall” experiment, Mitra accepted the award – TED’s annual prize of one million dollars that gives an exceptional individual the chance to conceive and launch […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
FREE Download: Global Mobile Money Survey 2012
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The GSMA’s Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU) programme today released the findings of its second annual Global Mobile Money Adoption Survey. The report analyses the state of the mobile money industry in 2012 and illustrates key findings from the programme’s Mobile Money Deployment Tracker, a database that monitors […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Asia-Pacific Markets Spurring Growth in Biometrics
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The governments of Southeast Asia (SEA) and Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) are investing heavily in security projects and infrastructure, such as border control systems and national ID programs, which bodes well for the biometrics market in the two regions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulation mandating all the […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Expert Testifies Same-Sex Marriage Would Have Negative Effects on Children
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– February 26, 2013 – Coalition to Protect Children and Marriage today said that testifying before the House Executive Committee in Springfield today, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, a nationally known marriage expert stated: “Marriage is adult society’s institutional structure for protecting the legitimate interests of children. Without this public purpose, we would not […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Israel is ‘America’s Ultimate Ally’ – Ambassador
WASHINGTON- February 26, 2013 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, says that support for Israel among the American public is at the highest it’s been since the first Gulf War. But the reasons that the relationship between the two countries has always been special are simple, Oren told The American Legion during […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
China, Russia Ink Major Energy Deal
Beijing, 2013-02-26 (China Daily) – In a perfect demand and supply arrangement, energy-rich Russia agreed to provide an annual supply of 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas to energy-thirsty China. The deal was struck during a high-level meeting in Beijing on Monday and comes ahead of an expected visit by Party leader Xi Jinping […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
BRICS Development Bank Likely to Focus on Infrastructure
Beijing, 2013-02-26 (chinadaily.com.cn) – The planned BRICS development bank is expected to focus on financing infrastructure development projects, and providing auxiliary support for project preparation such as feasibility studies, according to a report released by the South Africa-based Standard Bank on Tuesday. The proposed institution will also contribute “constructively” to the development of more robust […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Asia Times Online: Did Australia sell out ‘Prisoner X?’
Senior Israeli defense correspondents say an Australian-born Israeli Mossad operative who killed himself in Israeli custody two years ago was neither a traitor nor a daredevil spy but someone who endangered Mossad operations seriously by talking too much. Known only as Prisoner X since 2010, following two years of strictly enforced Israeli censorship, the agent […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Asia Times Online: And the Oscar goes to… the CIA
Even in his wild, stoned to death, easy rider cuckoo times, Jack Nicholson would never have imagined he would one day tag team with the First Lady of the United States to present an Oscar for Best Picture. This is more Hunter S Thompson than Academy territory – and hardly presidential. But it did – […]
more…27 Feb, 2013
Nation of ‘secret boozers’: English people underestimate alcohol intake – The Independent
England is a nation of secret boozers, with more than a third of the population drinking unhealthy quantities of alcohol, new research suggests.The finding, which also uncovers high levels of binge drinking, is based on the discrepancy between alcohol sales and the amount people say they drink in surveys. Read the rest: A nation of […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Alcohol, Women Blamed for Blowing UK Travel Budgets
LONDON, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — In these dark economic times, it seems that there is one aspect of British life we are not prepared to compromise on, and that is our annual holiday. As the UK is eagerly looking at great holiday deals for 2013 such as these from Lowcostholidays.com, research from the money-saving […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Gallup Poll: Americans See U.S. Global Standing as Better, but Not Its Best
Americans’ perceptions of the United States’ status in the world have improved somewhat since the depths recorded during the Iraq war, which received lackluster international support and even criticism from some allies. However, the biggest gains are in perceptions of how the U.S. president is viewed internationally. The 51% currently believing Obama is respected by […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Chris Hedges: Rebels Stand Alone – Truthdig
Although history has vindicated resistance groups such as the White Rose and plotters such as von dem Bussche, they were desperately alone, reviled by the wider public and forced to defy the law, their oaths of national allegiance, and public opinion. The resisters, once exposed, were condemned in vitriolic terms by most of the German […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Iraq War Vet Turns Headhunting Business Model on its Head
Hackensack, New Jersey (PRWEB) February 25, 2013 – Anyone that has ever searched for a job knows how uncomfortable it is to get to the bottom of a cover letter and write about salary expectations. As soon as the job seeker decides to play this different version of the Price is Right game, the chance […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
The Deafhood Monologues, A Riveting Show in Sign Language
Sacramento, California (PRWEB) February 25, 2013 — Inspired by the popular “The Vagina Monologues”, and the book, “In Search of Deafhood”, by Paddy Ladd, this is an episodic play based on true stories from Deaf people collected over the years. Created by Ella Mae Lentz, co-author of “Signing Naturally”, and owner, ASL Presents. Directed by […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Int’l Women’s Day March 8: Global Musicians to Highlight Women’s Rights
22 February 2013 (UN News Centre) – More than 20 musicians from across the globe are joining forces with the United Nations to spotlight the importance of empowering women through a song that will be released on International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March. The song, entitled “One Woman: A song for UN Women,” was […]
more…25 Feb, 2013
Emirates Launches “Share a Smile” Global Ad Campaign
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 25 February 2013 (14 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story.
more…24 Feb, 2013
The definition of chutzpah – James Zogby in Al-Ahram Weekly
I can agree with a few of Keyes’s observations in the passages cited above. “Palestinian human rights… are the key to the peace process” and “Human rights, often seen as a diversion from the peace process, are in fact the secret to it.” Oh yes, and by the way, I agree with his argument that […]
more…24 Feb, 2013
Debate on terror blasts generates more heat than light: Dileep Padgaonkar in Times Of India
The finger of suspicion for the Dilsukhnagar blasts has been pointed to the Indian Mujahideen whose links with extremist and terror groups in Pakistan are no secret. Nor are their antecedents. But until the police possess prima facie evidence of its involvement, all that you are likely to get is a media trial that, in […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
Diplomacy to Help China become Global Power
February 20, 2013 – Cai Run, director of policy planning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came to the Qiangguo Forum of People’s Daily Online to have an online communication with the netizens on Tuesday. During the communication, he talked about how diplomacy can help China become global power. Every country in the world has […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
Chinese Currency Expands its Global Reach
2013-02-22, (China Daily) – The Chinese mainland is turning to more partners around the world to launch the next phase of yuan internationalization, with each partner selected to play a role. After Hong Kong was given an eight-year head start as an offshore business center for the yuan, recent developments in the use of the […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
European Bid to Double Public Road Transport, Coach Tourism in 10 Years
Brussels, 22 February 2013 – The EU public-private Smart Move High Level Group (HLG) met yesterday to finalise its policy recommendations for EU public and private stakeholders and policy decision makers. The group’s recommendations focus on short, medium and long term policies, suggesting a realistic road map for decision makers on how to double the use […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
Japanese Media Groups to Launch Asia-wide Entertainment TV Channel
TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– February 20, 2013 – Dentsu Inc. announced today that “Hello! Japan,” a new international entertainment TV channel with popular Japanese content, will be launched in Singapore by J Food & Culture TV Pte. Ltd. on February 25. In addition to Dentsu, JFCTV investors include Nippon Television Network Corporation, TV Asahi Corporation, Tokyo Broadcasting […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
Inciting Violence in This Culture of Violence | Tikkun Magazine
Our military budget grows ever larger. The war and armaments business is probably our most innovative and certainly our most profitable industry, with no curtailment of its excesses in sight. That lobby always wins, even in an economic depression, constantly citing terrorism and self-defense as the rationale for its growth. There was no “peace dividend” […]
more…23 Feb, 2013
UK Research: Working Longer Hours Can Lead To An Affair
(PRWEB UK) 22 February 2013 – Spending more hours in the office is leading to a rise in affairs in the workplace according to a recent study by Notatwork.co.uk and married dating site IllicitEncounters.com. The research revealed that people who regularly worked over 45 hours a week are almost 5 times more likely to embark […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
FREE Download: DHL Study says Globally-focused SMEs More Likely to Prosper
PLANTATION, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–International trade and cooperation is a key driver for the success of small businesses, according to an in-depth and wide-ranging study by U.S.-based IHS Global Insight and DHL Express. The study which surveyed 410 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in G7 and BRICM (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico) economies, revealed that SMEs […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
FREE Download: Oceana Study Uncovers Widespread Seafood Fraud Across the U.S.
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– February 21, 2013 — Oceana, the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world’s oceans, uncovered widespread seafood fraud across the United States, according to a new report released today. In one of the largest seafood fraud investigations in the world to date, DNA testing confirmed that one-third, or 33 percent, […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
On Int’l Mother Language Day, UN Promotes Reading In Local Tongues
United Nations, (UN News Centre) Feb 21 2013 — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today urged the use of books and textbooks in local languages to support education in mother tongues, which promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and serves as the foundation for all social, economic and cultural life. “Books are […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
Border Racial Profiling: Arab-American Group Seeks Details on US-Israeli Agreement
Washington DC, 21 Feb 2013 (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) – Today ADC called on the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to issue an immediate apology to Emad Burnat. Also, ADC formally requested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General to initiate an immediate investigation to determine to what extent CBP officials […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
Indian President Recaps State of the Union as Budget Session Starts
Following is the text of the President Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s address to Parliament at the start of the Budget session today. Honourable Members, 1. I welcome you to this session as I address this joint sitting of the two Houses for the first time as President. I hope this session will be productive and useful. […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
West in a Mess: OECD Data Shows GDP Fall of 0.2%
Paris, 20 Feb 2013 (OECD media release) – Provisional estimates show that quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area fell by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2012, after a 0.3% increase in the previous quarter. This is the first contraction of GDP in the OECD area since the very sharp decline in the first […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
UNESCO Launches Website to Commemorate Lumbini, Birthplace of Buddha
“Like glittering sunbeams The flute notes reach the gods In the birth grotto” This haiku that former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld wrote after his Lumbini visit in March 1959 is one of the highlights of the web pages on Lumbini that the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu has launched. The web […]
more…22 Feb, 2013
Global Trade Unions: G20 Must Break Circle of Rising Unemployment, Falling Confidence and Trust
Geneva (ITUC Press release) 21 February 2013: As the first G20 Employment Task Force meeting of 2013 opened in Moscow, international unions underscored that a jobs target from the G20 is essential to tackle unemployment and inequality and stem the social crisis which has followed in the wake of the financial crisis. Sharan Burrow, General […]
more…21 Feb, 2013
Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions Can Yield Major Development, Climate Benefits
Nairobi, 20 February 2013 (UN Environment Programme) – Replacing the millions of kerosene lamps, candles and flashlights used worldwide with modern solar lighting can provide an increasingly low-cost solution to reducing carbon emissions, indoor air pollution and health risks, and boosting green jobs, according to new studies from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP […]
more…21 Feb, 2013
Top 3 Tips on How Dancing Can Help Improve Any Child’s Life
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) February 16, 2013 – Dance Pizazz is aware of the alarming childhood obesity rates in the U.S. According to WebMD.com (http://children.webmd.com/guide/obesity-children), one in five children is currently either overweight or obese. The reasons for these rates are a combination of reasons, including inactivity. Not all children have the desire to be […]
more…21 Feb, 2013
U.S. Law Firm Offers Free Consultations to Cruise Ship Disaster Victims
Bonita Springs, FL (PRWEB) February 16, 2013 – Parker Waichman LLP, a U.S. law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by cruise ships, is monitoring the developments following the Carnival Cruise debacle that stranded thousands of passengers and crew in squalor. “It was kind of like everything that could go wrong would […]
more…18 Feb, 2013
Creativity, Congestion as Chinese Spring Festival Holiday Sees 440m Trips
BEIJING (Xinhua / People’s Daily Online) 2013-02-17 – Chinese made 440 million trips during the Spring Festival holiday, which lasted from February 9 to 15, transportation authorities said Saturday. Railways handled 34.68 million trips with a year-on-year increase of 3 million trips, according to the Ministry of Railways (MOR). Highway and water-based transport saw 399 […]
more…18 Feb, 2013
Creative Minds Are More Prone to Anxiety – Surrey Institute Study
Wallington, Surrey (PRWEB UK) 17 February 2013 – The study involved 328 of their clients. 153 were clients who were having hypnotherapy for anxiety and 175 were being seen for issues unrelated to anxiety. In the study their clients were asked a set of simple questions. One of the questions was “Do you consider yourself […]
more…18 Feb, 2013
PolyU Study Urges Guidebook Publishers to Build Trust, Provide Insights
Hong Kong, Feb 18, 2013 – The most important purpose of a travel guidebook, according to the School of Hotel and Tourism Management’s (SHTM) Dr Simon Wong and Gladys Liu, is to highlight functional information such as attractions, food and new experiences. In a recent study the researchers show that independent travellers in particular refer […]
more…18 Feb, 2013
Exhibition Highlights Heritage of Muslim Spain
A compilation of progressive, positive, inspiring and motivating events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 18 February 2013 (07 Rabee’ al-Thaani 1434). Pls click on any of the headlines below to go to the story.
more…16 Feb, 2013
New UN Report Says European Recession Keeping Manufacturing Rates Low
VIENNA, 15 February 2013 (UN News Centre) – The growth rate of world manufacturing output remained low in 2012 due to the prolonged recession in industrialized countries and its negative impact on developing and emerging industrial economies, according to a UN report released today. World manufacturing output grew by 2.2 per cent in 2012, significantly […]
more…16 Feb, 2013
Woman Power Highlighted at Kumbh Mela Sound & Light Show
Allahabad, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 15-February, 2013 — As part of its innovative programming, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting through its Media Unit, Song & Drama Division, conducted a 14 day long Mega Sound & Light based on the “Jamunia” theme at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. The programme was suitably adapted to […]
more…16 Feb, 2013
UN Cites Role of Interfaith Harmony in Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 14 February 2013 – Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s remarks at event to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week held under the theme, “The Role of Interfaith Harmony in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes”: I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week with you. I thank the President of the […]
more…16 Feb, 2013
Indian Vice-President Outlines Challenges Facing Higher Education
15 February 2013 – Press Information Bureau – The Vice President of India Dr. M. Hamid Ansari has said that in the 21st century, the orientation of the world economy is changing from a manufacturing dominated to a knowledge-based one. Contributions by cutting edge technology in industry and high value-added services to the national GDP […]
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