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Author Archive

1 Aug, 2012

Global Banking Greed Responsible for Financial Crisis and Only Set to Get Worse

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Basingstoke, UK (PRWEB UK) 31 July 2012 – Global banks have been in varied scandals now for many years and as UBS has announced that they have lost millions due to a poor investment into social media website Facebook, Marketing Quotes asks why nothing is being done to protect customers. Since 2007, most banks have […]

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1 Aug, 2012

Food & Hospitality Recruiters Seek Quality, not Quantity of Applicants

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New York (PRWEB) July 31, 2012 – Recent trends in the food and hospitality industry show that hiring managers are looking for quality over quantity when it comes to their applicants. The trend is supported by the latest WyckWyre survey, gathering information from more than 750 of its customers. An overwhelming 94.9% of those surveyed […]

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1 Aug, 2012

Jewish Group Demands Romney Apologise to Palestinians

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The following statement was issued on July 31 by Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org) Yesterday in Jerusalem, Governor Mitt Romney made some statements that were not only wrong, but frankly, prejudiced and ignorant. Romney declared that “cultural differences” were the reason the Palestinian economy is not doing as well as Israel’s, without even acknowledging the Occupation. […]

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1 Aug, 2012

Arab Americans Blast Republican Party’s Spread of Xenophobia, Hate & Ignorance

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Washington, DC (www.adc.org) July 31, 2012 — The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled at the continued bigotry and racism coming from factions from within the Republican Party, including the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee, Governor Willard “Mitt” Romney. On a recent trip to Israel, Romney directed racist and derogatory comments towards Palestinians. Romney’s actions are in line […]

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31 Jul, 2012

Tourism vs National Security: Time For Budget Comparisons

The travel & tourism industry often complains about inadequate budgets. But how does one define “inadequate”? One way is by comparing the budgets allocated to travel & tourism, which claims to be a promoter of peace, against those allocated to the defense and national security sector, which claims responsibility for keeping the peace. Although the […]

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31 Jul, 2012

China “On Right Track For Growth Model Change”

By Zheng Yangpeng and Lu Yanyu (China Daily)

Beijing, July 27, 2012 – The dramatic rise in the price of land, labor and raw materials, and a 30 percent appreciation of the renminbi since 2005, have seen China fast losing the historic cost advantages that helped fuel arguably the most dramatic economic rise in history. But after several visits to China, Anders Aeroe […]

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31 Jul, 2012

Survey: Parents Can Track Kids’ Internet Activity on PCs But Not Smartphones

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Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) July 30, 2012 — McGruff SafeGuard Browser®, a free, fully-featured, Safari-like browser application that blocks inappropriate websites and content accessed via Safari on mobile devices, today announced the results of a survey that measured the amount of time kids spend online on smartphones, and parents’ views on mobile Internet safety and […]

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31 Jul, 2012

Four Summer Holiday Activities That Could Damage Your Back

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(PRWEB) July 30, 2012 – As summer draws to a close, some recreational enthusiasts begin to notice that the pain in their back may not be going away. For many who take recreation seriously, some level of pain and soreness is often associated with mere participation. Seattle chiropractic clinic, Belltown Spine and Wellness, understands that […]

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31 Jul, 2012

First Gender Violence-Free Zones Launched in South Africa

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Wentworth, South Africa (PRWEB) July 30, 2012 – Over a thousand community members and stakeholders from across the eThekwini Municipality gathered on July 8 to commemorate the first community-initiated Violence Free Zone. Launching in the suburb of Wentworth, the zone represents community-driven action to prevent gender-based violence, and has inspired the set-up of further Violence […]

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28 Jul, 2012

Gallup Poll: Worldwide, Greeks Most Pessimistic About Their Lives

by Anna Manchin, www.gallup.com

BRUSSELS, July 25, 2012 — The Greek government’s promise of no new austerity measures this year may offer some much-needed hope to its citizens, whom Gallup surveys show are the most pessimistic in the world about the direction of their lives. More than four in 10 Greeks (42%) in 2011 expected their lives in five […]

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28 Jul, 2012

The Dating Game: Survey Reveals Global Singles’ Behaviours, Beliefs

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London (PRWEB UK) 28 July 2012 – Inspired by this year’s global games, match.com, which claims to be the world’s largest dating website, conducted its own international challenge to examine how singles from different cultures match up — or differ — in the dating game. And, in a classic example of British diplomacy and manners […]

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27 Jul, 2012

South Africa Court Convicts White Supremacist Group Leader of High Treason

Source: JURIST, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

The North Gauteng High Court at Pretoria in South Africa on July 26 convicted of high treason the leader of an extremist group responsible for nine bombings in Johannesburg’s Soweto township in 2002. Mike du Toit, leader of the white supremacist group Boeremag has been on trial for nine years and is the first person […]

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27 Jul, 2012

American Mass Murder: A Toxic Cultural Brew

By Mark Levine

One of the recurring questions in Michael Moore’s 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine is why Canada, America’s “friendly” neighbor to the north, has among the highest rates and ease of gun ownership in the world, yet has much lower rates of gun violence than the United States. Moore travels to several major southern Canadian cities asking random citizens […]

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27 Jul, 2012

Tips on Staying Safe at Olympics (And Other Big Events in Big Cities)

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LONDON (PRWEB) July 27, 2012  — With the London Olympic Games kicking off at the end of the week, and officials insisting that Olympic security will not be compromised despite the shambles surrounding a private contractor’s failure to provide sufficient guards, visitors are left wondering how safe the London Olympics will be. Victoria Ugarte, travel […]

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27 Jul, 2012

Pew Poll: U.S. Public Follows “Batman” Shooting Story But Maintains Views on Guns

Pew Research Centre

23 July 2012 – About half of the public says they very closely followed news about the deadly shooting rampage shortly after midnight Friday morning in a movie theater in Colorado, making this one of the most closely followed stories so far in 2012. Fully 48% say they followed this news very closely, according to […]

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27 Jul, 2012

Poverty Risk Nearly Doubles for Older Americans Lacking Pensions, New Study Finds

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WASHINGTON, July 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE)–Rates of poverty among older households lacking defined benefit (DB) pension income were approximately nine times greater than the rates among older households with DB pension income in 2010, up from six times greater in 2006 a new study calculates. Older households with lifetime pension income are far less likely […]

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26 Jul, 2012

Vacation No Cure for Work-Stress Blues: HRD Company Survey

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SEATTLE, July 25, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Vacations are no longer a cure for the stresses of today’s hectic work life, according to a recently released survey conducted by Fierce, Inc., leadership development and training experts. More than 58 percent of respondents to a survey on issues related to Paid Time Off (PTO) indicated that […]

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26 Jul, 2012

OECD Tourism Report Highlights Three Top Policy Challenges

The Paris-based OECD last week released a report identifying three of the most important trends and policy challenges facing global tourism: effective governance practices, evaluation of policies and programmes, and human resources development. The report says that major changes will need to be made in the three areas to boost tourism competitiveness and sustainability for […]

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25 Jul, 2012

Home-Grown Terrorism: One Swamp The U.S. Cannot Drain

Commentary by Imtiaz Muqbil

Here we go again. Another shooting in the U.S. Can a society which is incapable of solving violence at home ever be a global champion of peace, stability and the common good? It is a contradiction in terms. Such societies can only implode and self-destruct. The Column The Bangkok Post Censored This commentary was originally […]

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25 Jul, 2012

Patil: Beware of “Divisive Agendas”

Speech by Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the Eve of Demitting Office of the President of India, 24 July, 2012

Dear Citizens, On the eve of demitting office of the President, I express my personal greetings and good wishes to all of you. During the last five years, I had the opportunity to interact with a number of citizens from different fields and walks of life. I received great respect, affection and support from you […]

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25 Jul, 2012

Mukherjee: Progress Must Not be “Hijacked By Greed Of A Few”

Acceptance Speech by Pranab Mukherjee on his Assumption of office as President of India, 25 July, 2012

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Shri Hamid Ansari, Smt. Meira Kumar, Shri Justice S.H. Kapadia, Members of Parliament, Your Excellencies, Friends and fellow citizens, I am deeply moved by the high honour you have accorded to me. Such honour exalts the occupant of this office, even as it demands that he rises above personal or partisan […]

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24 Jul, 2012

Rabbi Alissa Wise: Why I Work With Christians To Divest From Israel

Rabbi Alissa Wise is Director of Campaigns, Jewish Voice for Peace

There is much talk about sanctions against Iran. But a growing movement is emerging seeking sanctions against Israel over its continued occupation of Palestine. Many Jewish groups are at the forefront of this movement, but getting little global coverage. In reproducing this column by a prominent member of Jewish Voice for Peace, Travel Impact Newswire […]

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24 Jul, 2012

Denver Columnist Sees the Light: “What If Shooter’s Name Was Ibrahim?”

Denver Post Columnist Chuck Murphy is one of the few U.S. journalists who has seen the light. In a 23 July column, he says, “If Holmes were Iranian-American, or Afghan-American, his purchases, his apparent withdrawal and his plans probably would have been noticed by neighbors, reported and investigated. Not fair. Just true.” In what should […]

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24 Jul, 2012

India Prepares Contingency Plans as Monsoon Runs Late

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Prime Minister’s Office, 23-July, 2012 — The Central Government has prepared extensive plans to deal with the deficiency in the Monsoon/rainfall in some parts of the country. The Government is in full readiness to address any situation that may arise due to any rainfall anomalies. The Prime Minister has been appraised of the situation and […]

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23 Jul, 2012

U.K. Motorists Institute Survey Seeks Tougher Action on Drink Driving

(PRWEB UK) 23 July 2012 — Eighty per cent of motorists say those who repeatedly drink drive should have their vehicles seized and sold or scrapped, according to a poll by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). Fifty per cent think that this should also happen to drivers several times over the limit. The respondents […]

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23 Jul, 2012

Media, Research Firms Start Measuring Projected Viewership of Olympics

Satellite and Cable TV Will Be Most Popular, and Women Will Be More Active Than Men on Social Media

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23 Jul, 2012

How Workers’ Moods, Stress Factors, Rise and Fall By The Day

by Jim Harter, www.gallup.com

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2012 — For American employees who like their jobs, going back to work on Mondays after the weekend is a much smoother transition than it is for those who don’t. Employees whose work or workplace is less engaging or disengaging experience a significant downgrade in mood going from weekends to weekdays. […]

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23 Jul, 2012

U.N. Mulls Crisis Management: Data, Data Everywhere, But How Trustworthy?

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United Nations, 19 July 2012, Department of Public Information – Reaching people most in need during complex crises — sparked by conflict, extreme weather or natural disaster — required humanitarian actors to better use, validate and share information from a range of sources throughout the programming cycle, the United Nations Economic and Social Council heard […]

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23 Jul, 2012

E.U. Okays Plans to Cut Air Traffic Management Costs, Boost Capacity

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Brussels, European Commission Press release, 19 July 2012 – The European Commission has written to Member States concerning the performance plans to improve air traffic management under the period 2012-2014 of the Single European Sky Performance Scheme. The scheme is expected to save billions of Euros to the benefit of airspace users and passengers in […]

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23 Jul, 2012

Losing Competitive Edge, U.S. Cities Seek Billions to Upgrade Infrastructure, Create Jobs

U.S. Conference of Mayors Media Release

PHILADELPHIA, PA, 2o July 2012 – Following a three-day meeting here seeking input from the nation’s mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will be issuing an urban agenda for job creation in the days to come and will challenge the presidential candidates and the U.S. Congress to support and pass its recommendations, said USCM President […]

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23 Jul, 2012

U.S. Tourists Learn To Shoot “Arab-looking Terrorists” in Jewish Settlement

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Hundreds of American adventure-seekers have found the latest thrill at a West Bank firing range, shooting pictures of Arab-looking targets and learning a new version of Israeli patriotism, Russian TV reported on 21 July. The company, Caliber 3, offers a two-hour “tourist course” – a lecture about anti-terrorism tactics, hand-to-hand and related combat skills, and […]

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21 Jul, 2012

Dance Teachers, Nurses Head Professions of Worst Drivers in U.K.

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(PRWEB UK) 20 July 2012 — Tiger.co.uk, one of the UK’s car insurance comparison sites, has today revealed the results of its study into the correlation between driving convictions, annual mileage and occupations. The study, based upon an analysis of over 270,000 recent car insurance quotes, looks at the relationship between over 300 different occupation […]

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20 Jul, 2012

Gallup Poll: Americans Want Outsourced Jobs Back

by Frank Newport (www.gallup.com)

PRINCETON, NJ, Gallup media release, July 19, 2012 — Asked to name the most important thing that could be done to improve the U.S. economy, more than one in four Americans (28%) suggest creating more or better jobs, along with another 9% who would reduce the outsourcing of jobs. Americans also suggest decreasing taxes (11%), […]

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20 Jul, 2012

For a Borderless World: 72 Nationalities on a Swedish Theme Park Ride Set New Guinness Record

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 GÖTEBORG, Sweden, 19 July 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE) — In conjunction with the 38th annual Gothia Cup football tournament held in Gothenburg, Sweden, a new world record was made at Liseberg Amusement Park in the category of “Most nationalities on a theme park ride”. There were 72 different nationalities represented in the record, which included players […]

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20 Jul, 2012

Struggling to Maintain Global Dominance, U.S. Waging War on Three Fronts

Dr Paul Craig Roberts

The Russian government has finally caught on that its political opposition is being financed by the US taxpayer-funded National Endowment for Democracy and other CIA/State Department fronts in an attempt to subvert the Russian government and install an American puppet state in the geographically largest country on earth, the one country with a nuclear arsenal […]

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20 Jul, 2012

We Are Losing Sight of Our Eye Health, Global Opinion Poll Reveals

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ROCHESTER, NY — July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — An eye-opening stat: almost 70 percent of people from around the world would rather give up 10 years of their life, or even sacrifice one of their limbs, than lose their eyesight. Yet less than one third of those polled take the basic steps necessary to preserve […]

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20 Jul, 2012

China Explains Syria Veto: Regime Change Should Not Be Determined By External Forces

Author: Zhong Sheng, (People's Daily Online)

July 18, 2012 – The political solution is the only way to resolve the issue of Syria. Some states still do not abandon their intention of changing Syrian regime by external forces. This is one of important reasons why the mediation of Special Envoy Kofi Annan is difficult to go on and the resolutions of […]

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20 Jul, 2012

India Now Australia’s Largest Source Of Permanent Migrants

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Canberra, 19 July 2012, (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) – For the first time, India is Australia’s largest source of permanent migrants, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today. Indian migrants comprised a total of 29,018 places or 15.7% of the total migration program of 185,000 places under the 2011-12 permanent […]

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19 Jul, 2012

India Working On New Policy To Help Airlines Reach Smaller Cities

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Ministry of Civil Aviation (17-July 2012) — Union Minister of Civil Aviation Mr Ajit Singh has said that the Government is in the process of providing air connectivity to remote and interior areas of the country including the North Eastern Region and Tier II and Tier III cities. Addressing  members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee […]

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19 Jul, 2012

How Short-sellers Reap Huge Profits From ‘Hunting’ Chinese Companies

Author: Luo Lan, People's Daily Overseas Edition

(People’s Daily Online), July 18, 2012 – Overseas-listed Chinese companies have been suffering from short selling in the past two years. The Chinese concepts stocks listed in the United States have been frequent targets of short-selling funds. By spreading rumors about Chinese companies’ “poor management” and “suspicious accounting,” these funds first drive a stock’s price […]

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19 Jul, 2012

Tour Buses Now Set to Face Higher Costs of Providing Security

Having penetrated the aviation sector, security companies are moving quickly to take advantage of the attack on the bus in Bulgaria to target the tour-bus and public transport sector as a new revenue-source that could generate billions of dollars in windfall profits. A media release by the Mineta Transportation Institute, named after its founder, Norman […]

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19 Jul, 2012

What Burgers, Pizzas, Ice-Creams Have Done to the U.S.

by Elizabeth Mendes

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 18, 2012, (Gallup media release) — Most Americans say obesity is an “extremely” or “very serious” problem to society, the 81% who do so is up significantly from 69% in 2005, the last time Gallup asked this question. Americans now see obesity as a more serious societal issue than cigarettes — a […]

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18 Jul, 2012

Nelson Mandela Foundation Calls For UN to Act on Israeli Violations

Mazin Qumsiyeh, Ph.D. www.qumsiyeh.org

The right wing Zionists keep invoking “anti-Semitism” and the events of WWII to try to deflect any legitimate criticism of their cherished idol: the apartheid state of Israel. But this is no longer working. The list below just gives a glimpse from the past few days. Even puppets of the Israel lobby like Hillary Clinton […]

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18 Jul, 2012

World Bank Report: Mobile Phone Access Reaches 75% of Planet’s Population

World Bank Media Release

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2012 — Around three-quarters of the world’s inhabitants now have access to a mobile phone and the mobile communications story is moving to a new level, which is not so much about the phone but how it is used, says a new report released today by the World Bank and infoDev, its […]

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18 Jul, 2012

Nelson Mandela Day: Creating a Better World, One Small Step at a Time

Source: www.mandeladay.com

July 18 is Nelson Mandela Day, a day to reflect on how we are going to do our little bit in service of others. As we prepare for our chance to give back in honour of the decades Mr Mandela spent in sacrifice so that we could live in a better world, we think of […]

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18 Jul, 2012

We Need Free Thinkers Or Society Will Shrivel Up and Die

Chris Hedges

July 9, 2012, (AlterNet) – Cultures that endure carve out a protected space for those who question and challenge national myths. Artists, writers, poets, activists, journalists, philosophers, dancers, musicians, actors, directors and renegades must be tolerated if a culture is to be pulled back from disaster. Members of this intellectual and artistic class, who are […]

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18 Jul, 2012

China: US Stirs Up Conflict Among Asian Countries As Part Of Rebalancing Strategy

People's Daily Online Commentary

Beijing, July 17, 2012 – The United States has been implementing a rebalancing strategy in recent years. The Obama administration believes the country wrongly devoted itself to the war on terror after the 9/11 attacks. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wasted too many resources and too much energy of the United States, leading to […]

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18 Jul, 2012

Three Oklahoma City Billboards Call for ‘No War on Iran’

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Oklahoma City – Oklahoma activists from the group Americans Against the Next War (AANW) are working to prevent military action or war against Iran. They have contracted with a local outdoor advertising company for three billboards, now on display in the metro area, carrying their message: “Tell Congress: No War on Iran.” A news conference […]

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17 Jul, 2012

Alzheimer’s Study: Sleep Duration & Disorders Indicators of Cognitive Decline

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Four studies reported today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2012 (AAIC 2012) in Vancouver suggest a relationship between sleep quality and quantity and risk of cognitive decline, and that interventions to normalize sleep duration and correct sleep disorders may not only improve quality of life, but […]

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17 Jul, 2012

ADB to Include Renminbi, Indian Rupee in Trade Finance Program

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MANILA, 17 July 2012 (ADB Media release) – Intra-regional trade transactions using renminbi and Indian rupee are expected to rise, prompting the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to start supporting deals denominated in these two Asian currencies under its Trade Finance Program (TFP). ADB’s Board of Directors today approved the inclusion of renminbi and Indian rupee […]

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17 Jul, 2012

First Global Ranking of Accredited Online MBAs Released

NEW YORK, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The first Global ranking of accredited online MBAs offered by the world’s top business schools, 2012 QS Distance Online MBA Rankings, has been released today on TopMBAConnect.com. The report, created by world education leader QS, was developed in direct response to the market increase in both the number […]

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17 Jul, 2012

OECD Sees High Jobless Rates Continuing

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Paris, 10/07/2012 (OECD News Release) – The current weak economic recovery will keep unemployment rates in OECD countries high until at least the end of 2013, according to a new OECD report. The Employment Outlook 2012 says that the OECD-wide joblessness rate is forecast to remain high at 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2013, close […]

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17 Jul, 2012

Full Details: Thailand’s Tourism Marketing Action Plan 2013

Bangkok, July 16 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand has unveiled a series of strategies designed to maintain Thailand’s brand image, marketing profile and visitor arrivals in a world of unprecedented change. Announced today after the conclusion of the TAT’s annual action planning meeting, the strategies are designed to ensure that the travel and tourism […]

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17 Jul, 2012

U.S. Violates WTO Rule, Misuses Trade Protection Measures

People's Daily Overseas Edition, Author: Liang Jie

Beijing, July 16, 2012 – China and the United States will begin official negotiations from July 18 to July 19, regarding the case that China had reported the U.S. anti-subsidy measures on 22 exported products from China to the dispute settlement mechanism of World Trade Organization (WTO). China had proposed negotiations with the United States […]

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17 Jul, 2012

India Monitors Food Impact as Monsoon Rains Play “Hide-and-Seek”

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New Delhi, Ministry of Agriculture, 16-July, 2012 – The Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar today hailed the agricultural research system for the key role it has played in increasing farm production over the years. Recounting the shift in Indian agriculture from the era of famine and food imports to the present era of surplus, Mr […]

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17 Jul, 2012

India To Push Development of Inland Waterways

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NEW DELHI, Prime Minister’s Office, 16-July, 2012 – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been pushing for greater private investment in inland waterways, an area of considerable importance. Since January, PMO has identified and fast-tracked implementation of key projects in the National Waterways – 1, 2 and 3 (NW – 1,2,3). These are the Varanasi-Haldia […]

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17 Jul, 2012

Americans Must Deal With Their Double Standards

Dr James Zogby, President, Arab-American Institute

WASHINGTON D.C. – Ralph Nader is without a doubt one of the truly transformational figures in contemporary American history. We drink cleaner water, breathe purer air, drive safer cars, and are better protected at work and at play, because of the movement he led. Ever the innovator, Ralph has taken on a new challenge: to […]

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16 Jul, 2012

Campaign Targets US$ 870bn/year Transnational Organized Crime Business

UN News Centre

16 July 2012 – UNODC today launched a new global awareness-raising campaign emphasizing the size and cost of transnational organized crime. Profiling this multibillion dollar a year threat to peace, human security and prosperity, the campaign illustrates the key financial and social costs of this international problem through a new public service announcement video and […]

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16 Jul, 2012

UK Charity Seeks To Curb Alcohol Abuse/Misuse at Olympics

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(PRWEB UK) 16 July 2012 – The national charity, which wants to achieve a society free from problem alcohol and drug use, thinks it’s important for people to have access to good quality advice at sites including football stadia and Olympic venues where alcohol is being sold. Alcohol has become synonymous with celebrations and sport […]

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16 Jul, 2012

Efforts to Tackle Global Obesity Shaping a New Investment Megatrend

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NEW YORK & LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Increasing efforts to tackle obesity over the coming decades will form an important new investment theme for fund managers, according to a new BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research report called “Globesity – The Global Fight Against Obesity.” “Global obesity is a mega-investment theme for the next 25 years and beyond. Obesity […]

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16 Jul, 2012

Investigative Report Says Security Firms Contributing to Global Insecurity

With the travel & tourism industry facing soaring costs of security, an investigative report issued last month by the New York-based Global Policy Forum warns that international security contractors are operating in an environment of total impunity and secrecy that may be worsening the situation. Entitled, “Dangerous Partnership: Private Military & Security Companies and the […]

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16 Jul, 2012

Global Banks Face Domino Risk, “Contrarian” Finance Editors Warn

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New York, NY (PRWEB) July 15, 2012 – In a recent Investment Contrarians article, editor Danny Esposito comments how amazing it is that many economists out there continue to hold onto the notion that should a financial crisis take place in Europe, the U.S. will not be affected. Esposito believes the big banks in the […]

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16 Jul, 2012

Key Global Issues That Will See €8bn Spent On European Research

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Brussels, 12 July 2012 (EU Media release) – The EU’s latest call for research proposals aims to stimulate innovation for growth and jobs. About €8.1bn is available in 2013 for world-class research – key to returning the EU to growth and closing the innovation gap with its main trade competitors, the US and Japan. Research […]

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15 Jul, 2012

China’s Economy: Glass Half Full, Not Half Empty

By Zhu Qiwen (China Daily)

Beijing, 2012-07-14 – Media fanfare about China’s economic slowdown, though somewhat exaggerated, shows the high hopes that global investors have pinned on the world’s second largest economy, especially with the United States and Europe still struggling with their debt problems. Before China released its growth figures for the first half of the year on Friday, […]

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15 Jul, 2012

Taoism Also Part of China’s “Soft Power”

Zhao Qiguang, People's Daily Overseas Edition

Beijing, July 11, 2012 – Chinese culture enjoys increasing influence in the world. What makes it so attractive? What are the challenges facing it? Over the past eight years, the Confucius Institute has made remarkable achievements in promoting the Chinese culture and language worldwide. From the Mississippi to the Nile, the Chinese learning craze is […]

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15 Jul, 2012

China’s Int’l Investment Position Reaches US$1.79 Trln

Xinhua

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — China’s net international investment position at the end of March reached 1.79 trillion U.S. dollars, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) announced Friday. The net international investment position measures the difference between a country’s external assets and liabilities. At the end of March, China’s external financial assets totaled 4.89 […]

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15 Jul, 2012

Olympics Uniforms: Will US Pay The Price To Be ‘Patriotic’?

By Li Yang ( China Daily)

Beijing, 2012-07-14 – Reports that the pride of America will be wearing uniforms that were made in China at the Olympic Games in London next month have produced the time-honored response from China-bashing politicians in the United States. “This action on the part of the US Olympic Committee is symbolic of a disastrous trade policy […]

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15 Jul, 2012

China: U.S. Sows Seeds Of Discord In South China Sea

(China Daily Editorial)

Beijing, 2012-07-13 — By calling for all parties to engage in talks to resolve the South China Sea disputes, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has once again demonstrated that the United States is trying to interfere in the maritime disputes that only involve China and a few members of the Association of Southeast Asian […]

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15 Jul, 2012

Global Workforce Study Finds Most U.S. Workers Struggling to Cope with Tough Workplace Situations

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NEW YORK, 11 July 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE) — As doubts reemerge about the strength of economic recovery in the U.S., a new Global Workforce Study by global professional services company Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW) reveals that almost two-thirds (63%) of U.S. workers are not fully engaged in their work and are struggling to cope […]

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15 Jul, 2012

Study Shows Women are Primary Breadwinners in U.S.

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NEWARK, N.J, .July 11, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The majority of women have emerged as primary breadwinners, whether they like it or not, according to Prudential Financial’s (NYSE:PRU) latest biennial study on the “Financial Experience & Behaviors Among Women.” The study, in its 12th year, finds that 53 percent of the more than 1,400 women […]

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15 Jul, 2012

$800 Million Project to Link 4,200 Indian Villages to Services & Markets

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MANILA, (ADB Media release) 12 July 2012 – A new four-part $800 million investment program from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help build 9,000 kilometers of rural roads in five Indian states, connecting 4,200 far-flung communities year-round to crucial markets and services. “Thousands of kilometers of highways between major cities criss-cross India but building […]

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12 Jul, 2012

New Masterplan Boosts Aboriginal Tourism Businesses in Top End Australia

MG Media Communications Press Release

Arnhem Land, 9 July 2012 – The Yolngu people of Arnhem Land are embarking on a bold plan to create thriving Indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Australia’s spectacular Top End, boosted today with the announcement of a Federal Government grant of $825,000. The Yolngu Cultural Tourism Masterplan is the first of its kind in Australia and […]

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12 Jul, 2012

Early Warning to Global Tourism: U.S. Congress Pushes War With Iran

By Stephen Zunes

Jul. 09, 2012 – In electing Barack Obama in 2008, the American people brought into the White House an outspoken opponent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq who not only withdrew combat forces from that country but promised to “change the mindset” — the idea that the United States could unilaterally make war against oil-rich […]

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12 Jul, 2012

China: Negative Influence of US’ Asia Strategy Must Be Eliminated

Zhong Sheng, People's Daily Online Commentary

Beijing, July 11, 2012 – In recent years, cooperation among East Asian countries has maintained a flourishing momentum. The peace, stability and development are common wishes of countries of the region. One major purpose for the economically-gloomy United States to declare its “returning to the Asia-Pacific Region” strategy in this period is to share the […]

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11 Jul, 2012

Lloyds Bank Study Pitches “Happiness Impact” of UK Olympics

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 10 July 2012 – A report commissioned by Lloyds Banking Group on the Economic Impact of the UK 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, also includes a chapter assessing the impact of the events on UK residents’ happiness. The report, covering the period from the winning of the bid in 2005, through […]

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10 Jul, 2012

Deutsche Post DHL Study on “The World in 2050” Outlines Five Future Scenarios

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Bangkok, 10 July 2012: With its release of the study of the future, “Delivering Tomorrow: Logistics 2050”, Deutsche Post DHL is taking a far-reaching look into the future of trade, business and society. The study examines five different scenarios of life in the year 2050. These five visions of the future are based on a […]

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10 Jul, 2012

Australia Appoints First Airline Customer Advocate to Address Complaints

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Canberra, (Minister of Infrastructure & Transport), 08 July 2012 – Australia has appointed its first Airline Customer Advocate to look into complaints by airline customers. The position will be jointly funded by the Australian airlines themselves. The following is the full text of the statement by the Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the launch: Today I […]

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10 Jul, 2012

Financial Crises and The Future of Global and Asian Banking: Strategy for Known-Unknown

Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul

Speech at Sasin Bangkok Forum 2012 Plenary Session , July 9, 2012 Theme: “Strategy for Known-Unknown”. The critical success factors are 3 Cs: Coordination of regulators, Commitment forged by Inclusiveness, and Communal responsibility to restore market mechanism as a pillar of governance and financial discipline. Good morning. It is an honor to join all of […]

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9 Jul, 2012

China Creates New Visa Category to Attract Overseas Talent

People's Daily Online

Beijing, July 09, 2012 – On June 30, the 11th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, passed a new Exit-Entry Administration Law at its 27th meeting. One of the highlights of the new law is a new visa category titled “talent introduction” which aims to attract talented individuals from overseas. The […]

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7 Jul, 2012

UN Food Agency Blasts Human Cost of Speculation in Commodities, Crops

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6 July 2012, Rome (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Media Release) – The world needs to take a hard look at speculation on the financial markets and its potential impact on food price volatility, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said today at a high-level debate on the issue at FAO Headquarters in Rome. “While […]

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7 Jul, 2012

Where Do Women Feel Safe Walking At Night? Gallup Poll Has a Few Surprises

by Steve Crabtree and Faith Nsubuga

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Gallup Poll) 6 July 2012 — Crime rates typically drop as countries develop socially and economically, partly because their capacity to enforce laws improves and poverty declines. But Gallup data from surveys in 143 countries in 2011 suggest men and women often do not equally share the bolstered sense of security that these […]

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7 Jul, 2012

Use of No-Fly List Puts Another U.S. Muslim in Extra-Judicial Exile

Gadeir Abbas

I hope that someday we will all look back in shame at how routinely the United States once barred traveling American Muslims from returning to their country. But while that day may be far off, Ali Ahmed serves as just the latest example of how the misguided and illegal use of the no-fly list imposes […]

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6 Jul, 2012

Dr Mahathir, Israeli Columnist to Speak at Palestine Rights Confab in Bangkok

Bangkok – A meeting of the United Nations committee on Palestinian Rights, due to take pace in Bangkok between July 10-11, will give the Asia-Pacific travel & tourism industry a major chance to pursue ways to visit Palestine without seeking a visa from the occupying Israeli authorities. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad will join […]

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5 Jul, 2012

How US Uses Sanctions to Hold the World Hostage

Ruan Zongze, People's Daily Online

Beijing, July 05, 2012 – The U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently said as China and Singapore have greatly reduced their oil exports from Iran, the United States have decided to give the two countries exemption on Iran oil sanction. The observing period is six months and extendable. The recent situation of the Middle […]

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5 Jul, 2012

Bengali Film Awards Bash in Thailand Fumbles With A String Of Indian “Faux Pas”

PATTAYA, Thailand — An awards ceremony held on July 1 to celebrate the best of Bengali cinema instead collapsed in a string of self-confessed “faux pas” to the extent where one of the co-sponsors from Kolkata TV publicly berated the Master of Ceremonies to find a more professional person for next year’s awards. Amidst continuous […]

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4 Jul, 2012

Eurozone Crisis Has Little Impact on European Arrivals to Thailand

Bangkok — In spite of the Eurozone crisis, visitor arrivals to Thailand from all the European countries have shown a 10.9% increase in January-May 2012, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The arrivals of 2,690,783 from Europe contributed to a total visitor arrivals count of 8,871,930 in the […]

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4 Jul, 2012

New EU App Gives European Summer Travellers Instant Access To Their Rights

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Brussels, 4 July 2012 (EU Press Release) – Passengers stranded at airports or awaiting missing luggage may now use a smartphone application to check their rights immediately and on the spot. Just in time for the summer holidays, the European Commission has launched an application for smartphones which covers air and rail transport and works […]

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4 Jul, 2012

Travelers Left Behind More Than 8,000 Mobile Devices at Top U.S. Airports

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July 03, 2012 – ADDISON, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Credant Technologies, a company specialising in data protection, today announced the results of their second survey of top airports in the United States. In the last year, travelers left behind 8,016 mobile devices at seven of the largest airports in the country, including: Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, San Francisco […]

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4 Jul, 2012

Thoughts of an American Muslim on Independence Day

By Nihad Awad

[Nihad Awad is national executive director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the U.S.’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization. He can be contacted at: nawad@cair.com] As we mark one of history’s most triumphant acts of liberty, I want to share with you some of the many things America’s Muslims are doing to preserve […]

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4 Jul, 2012

Indian Domestic Tourism Pegged at 850 Million Visits in 2011, Up 13.8%

New Delhi, 03-July, 2012 – The number of domestic tourist visits (DTVs) to the States/ UTs during 2011 was 851 million as compared to 748 million in 2010 and 669 million in 2009. During 2011, the number of domestic tourist visits to States/UTs registered an increase of 13.8% over 2010 as compared to increase of […]

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4 Jul, 2012

The Great American Mirage

By Stephen S. Roach (China Daily)

2012-07-03 – In September 1998, during the depths of the Asian financial crisis, Alan Greenspan, the US Federal Reserve’s chairman at the time, had a simple message: the US is not an oasis of prosperity in an otherwise struggling world. Greenspan’s point is even closer to the mark today than it was back then. Yes, […]

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3 Jul, 2012

PATA Reshuffles the Deck – Again!

Bangkok – The Pacific Asia Travel Association has undergone another reshuffling of the deck with the imminent departure of Stu Lloyd, Senior Director – Marketing and Membership Services, and the appointment of Sheila Leong as Chief Operating Officer, effectively making her the Number Two in the organisation. The departure of Mr. Lloyd as of July […]

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30 Jun, 2012

Marketing Survey: Millennials Unlikely To Support Wine-makers That “Try Too Hard”

Napa, CA (PRWEB) June 29, 2012 – Millennials show the least interest towards Millennial targeted wines according to a new national survey conducted by Invictus Marketing, a Napa based interactive marketing agency. The 2012 Millennial Targeted Wines survey report is issued publicly and a copy can be downloaded directly at the Invictus Marketing website. The […]

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29 Jun, 2012

New “Beijing Treaty” Firms Up Copyright Protection for Audiovisual Performances

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Beijing, June 26, 2012 – The diplomatic conference to finalize a new treaty for audiovisual performers was concluded on June 26, 2012 as negotiators from member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) signed the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (BTAP) –  so-named in recognition of the city that hosted the final round of […]

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29 Jun, 2012

Stay Out of World Heritage Sites, Global Mining, Energy Giants Warned

26 June 2012 — The global rush for energy and minerals is likely to tempt many multinational corporations to venture into World Heritage Sites, and a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warns that they do so at the risk of their reputations and public image. The report, the result of […]

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29 Jun, 2012

UN Enlists Fashion Industry to Help Fight Poverty

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) – 28 June 2012 – The United Nations today announced its partnership with the fashion industry to fight poverty and provide assistance to millions of women and children worldwide through the Fashion for Development (F4D) initiative. “The fashion industry in the past several years has redefined how to market, how […]

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29 Jun, 2012

Parents: 5 Tips To Protect Kids From Abuse And Violence

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San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) June 29, 2012 – Many parents are overwhelmed by fear for their kids, asking how they can protect their children from people like Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State coach who held a position of respect and power in his community and was recently convicted of 45 counts of child abuse, […]

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29 Jun, 2012

As Eurozone Crisis Bites, EC Targets Tax Fraud And Evasion

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Brussels, 27 June 2012, European Commission Press release – Minimum sanctions for tax crimes, a cross-border tax identification number, an EU tax-payer’s charter and stronger common measures against tax havens. These are just some of the concrete ideas that the Commission has put forward today to improve the fight against tax fraud and evasion in […]

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29 Jun, 2012

New Aviation Procedures Published to Mitigate Impact of Volcanic Eruptions

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MONTREAL, 26 June 2012 (ICAO Press Release) –  The International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF), a special multidisciplinary group established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in response to the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in April 2010, has delivered a series of practical tools and recommendations to significantly mitigate the impact of future volcanic events on international […]

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29 Jun, 2012

China Offers US$15 Billion for Latin America Development

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SANTIAGO, June 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) on Tuesday. In order to deepen strategic relations with the region, he announced the creation of a cooperation fund for the region with an initial input of US$5 billion to promote, […]

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