Author Archive
27 Jun, 2012
China to Slash Work Permit Periods for Foreigners
2012-06-27 (China Daily) – The minimum length for residential work permits for foreigners will be slashed from 180 days to just 90, according to the latest draft of a new immigration law currently under review. The draft law on exit-entry administration is receiving its third review from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
2012 Shaping Up as Worst Year Ever for Journalists
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 25 2012 (IPS) – It’s the type of honour roll that journalists would prefer not to be on. But as an emotional Allison Bethel-McKenzie read out the names of the 72 journalists who have made that grim list so far this year, even Trinidad and Tobago’s president, George Maxwell Richards, […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
Chinese Middle Class Key to Consumption
Beijing, 2012-06-26 (China Daily) – Economists have been talking for years about the need to boost domestic consumption to achieve more balanced and sustainable economic growth. To be sure, consumer spending, especially in the larger cities, has been increasing rapidly in the past decade or so. But the rate of increase has persistently lagged behind […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
China’s Building Boom: Symbol of Affluence or Trap of Luxury?
Beijing, June 26, 2012 (Edited and translated by People’s Daily Online) – I just returned from Shenyang a few days ago and learned that Shenyang is planning the construction project to prepare for the next National Games. One day later, I was told that an indoor stadium, which had cost 800 million yuan and was […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
China Urges ASEAN To Be Independent
Beijing, June 25, 2012 (China Daily) – China has urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations not to be a bystander or “a tool of major powers” to cope with the new challenges in the current global political and economic atmosphere. “ASEAN should exercise its independent judgment to move this region forward. If […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
Why Are Chinese Listed Companies Withdrawing From US Market?
Beijing, June 26, 2012, (People’s Daily Online) – Alibaba.com Limited officially delisted from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited on June 20, 2012. Delisting seems incredible but the Alibaba.com Limited was not the only one choosing to withdraw from the stock market. On Nov. 2, 2011, Harbin Electric Inc. officially withdrew from the NASDAQ […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
Chinese Experts: U.S. Economy Cannot Survive on “Cardiac Stimulants”
Beijing, June 25, 2012 (People’s Daily Online) — The market is paying extremely close attention to the question that whether the United States will launch a third round of quantitative easing (QE3) soon. The Federal Reserve is still holding the conference, but the market’s anticipation on the QE3 has strengthened. On June 19, the three […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
China’s Gender Ratio Imbalance Set to be Big Problem for “Leftover Men”
Beijing, June 26, 2012 – China’s sex ratio at birth has been rising in the past 30 years. The sex ratio at birth is also known as newborn infant sex ratio. Under natural circumstances, the ratio of every 100 newborn girls to 103 to 107 newborn boys is normal. As the death rate of boys […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
Top 50 Most Valuable Latin American Brands 2012
NEW YORK, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Millward Brown, in conjunction with BrandAnalytics and WPP, today announce the inaugural BrandZ Top 50 Most Valuable Latin American Brands. The value of the BrandZ Latam Top 50 is dominated by retail, financial, communication, beer and energy brands. Petrobras, the Brazilian energy giant, topped the ranking with a […]
more…27 Jun, 2012
RehabTech Asia Expo Aims to Improve Quality of Life for Disabled and Aged
Singapore – Asia’s first and only trade event for the assistive technology (AT), integrated care and rehabilitation engineering (RE) industry will be held from 27 February to 1 March 2013 at Singapore EXPO Convention & Exhibition Centre. The co-organisers are Fiera Milano S.p.A. and Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd., supported by Singapore Exhibition & Convention […]
more…26 Jun, 2012
Chinese Company Develops New Technology to Evaluate Digital Advertising
BEIJING, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Since the advent of the new media, most marketers have fancied going digital with their campaigns. Investments in digital advertising are increasing in leaps and bounds, though still small compared to traditional TV advertising. Despite increasing at a faster pace, investment in digital media is challenged by key concerns […]
more…26 Jun, 2012
“Radical Openness,” Theme of TEDGlobal 2012 Conference
EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — TED, the nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, opens its annual Europe-based TEDGlobal conference today in Edinburgh, Scotland. The conference, this year themed “Radical Openness,” shares the same format as its twin event in Long Beach, CA: inspired leaders, thinkers, makers, and performers from around the globe take […]
more…26 Jun, 2012
Indonesia To Host Major Conference On Disasters In Asia
BANGKOK, 26 June, 2012 (ISDR Press Release) – The Indonesian government today announced details of the Fifth Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which it will host in October as the region counts the cost of record-breaking disaster losses over the last year. Indonesia made disaster risk reduction a national priority following the 2004 […]
more…25 Jun, 2012
U.S. Pilots Seek “Level Playing Field” to Compete Against Foreign Airlines
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In a white paper released on June 12 titled “Leveling the Playing Field for U.S. Airlines and Their Employees,” the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) outlines the clear solutions that the U.S. government must pursue to create a strong U.S. airline industry and fairly position U.S. airlines and their employees to compete and […]
more…25 Jun, 2012
European Giants Will Wipe Out Local Firms In ASEAN Exhibitions Boom
BANGKOK – The rapid expansion of European exhibition conglomerates in the ASEAN and Asian regions could drive local exhibition companies to “extinction,” the head of the Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations (AFECA) warned last week. Speaking at the first Thailand MICE International Forum (TMIF) 2012 on June 21, Mr. Edward Liu said that […]
more…25 Jun, 2012
PATA Finance Chief Says Adieu After Three Difficult Years
Bangkok – Ms. Nawarat Khamsai has resigned as the first Chief Financial Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, effective July 31. Although she described her move as being nothing beyond a normal completion of a three-year term of duty, it will create further image problems for the financially-beleaguered association as it seeks to maintain […]
more…24 Jun, 2012
As democracies become dictatorships, what future for democracy?
Originally Published: 24 June 2012 One of the most important geopolitical trends in the emerging world order is the slow conversion of democracies into dictatorships, even while they pretend to be defenders of democracy or, still worse, delude themselves into thinking they are defending democracy. As the U.S. government, the self-appointed curator and exporter of […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
Most Wanted Features of Dream Aircraft: No Kids, No Kicks
EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 19, 2012–(BUSINESS WIRE) — The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner is set to take to the UK skies this August, and promises passengers a more pleasurable flying experience with larger windows and LED lighting, but a new survey of over 1000 passengers by Europe’s leading flight comparison site Skyscanner reveals what people really […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
New Yorkers Get Help Cutting Valet Parking Wait Times
NEW YORK, June 19, 2012 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–Central Parking System, Inc. today announced it has expanded its relationship with Zingle and its text-for-your-car solution. Zingle’s customized solution for Central Parking, known as TEXT N GO, which allows customers to text their valet ticket number and then receive an automatic text response confirming when their car […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
WorldPay: 1.5% of Airline Online Booking Revenue Lost to Fraud
SAN FRANCISCO June 19, 2012 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–Globally, 66% of airline merchants are seeing fraud levels stay the same or increase as they lose 1.5% of booking revenue to fraudulent transactions, according to the global Perfect Passenger Payment insights report, commissioned by WorldPay. Worryingly, this could be set to increase, with 29% of airlines reporting […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
Denver Airport to Create “Largest Digital Experience” for Advertisers
DENVER, June 19, 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE) — Clear Channel Airports announced it will implement a first-of-its kind digital advertising program at Denver International Airport, the fifth-busiest U.S. airport and eleventh-busiest airport in the world. The Clear Channel Airports program will place Denver International Airport at the forefront of digital video advertising. The installation plan includes […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
U.S. Consumers See Airline Service Improving, Fast Food Growing as Economy Falls
ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 19, 2012 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–Major airlines are doing a better job of satisfying their passengers this year, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). At 67 (on a scale of 0 to 100), customer satisfaction with the airline industry matches its best level in a […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
Worldwide Spend on Security Products and Services Tops $19 Billion
LONDON, June 20, 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Globally small and medium business Security Market (on-premise and cloud) spend is expected to experience an overall compounded annual growth rate of over 10% for the period of 2011 through 2016. Cloud security services currently accounts for nearly 17% of this total spending and is projected to increase to 24% […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
Maritz Poll: Online Consumers Want Companies to Listen, Respond
ST. LOUIS, June 07, 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE)–With an ever-growing number of publicly accessible online communication choices available to consumers, a recent Maritz Research Consumer Preferences study shows consumers overwhelmingly want their voices to be heard by companies via the web. They expect companies to be listening and the study also reveals that 85 percent of […]
more…21 Jun, 2012
Global Study Finds Brands Can Capitalise on “New Mom” Movement
CANNES, France, June 20, 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE) — Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO), the premier digital media company, and Starcom MediaVest Group, shared findings from their year-long, global study, ‘Brave New Moms: Navigating Technology’s Impact on Family Time,’ at the 2012 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The study revealed that across generations, age and countries, 84% of […]
more…20 Jun, 2012
Free Download: Cross-Border Stats Highlighted at Mekong Tourism Forum 2012
Chiang Rai, 12 June 2012 — Cross-border tourism is set to be one of the primary beneficiaries of the growing overland connectivity between the Greater Mekong Subregion countries (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Yunnan Province of Southern China). The six countries share the unique advantage of being all land-linked, which means that road and […]
more…19 Jun, 2012
Myanmar Tourism Industry Warned About Downsides of Gold Rush
CHIANG RAI: The Myanmar tourism industry heard more warnings at the June 13-14 Mekong Tourism Forum to beware the downsides of the tourism gold-rush. Industry stalwarts stressed that they were well aware of the emerging issues, and offered assurances that every effort would be made to do things right. Marking the 20th anniversary since the […]
more…19 Jun, 2012
Thai Royal Projects Chief: Global Rich-Poor Income Gap Could Trigger Next World War
CHIANG RAI, North Thailand: In a powerful, historic speech at the Mekong Tourism Forum on June 13, a man who has played a key role in one of the world’s most successful opium-eradication projects warned of another world war if the global rich-poor income gap is not addressed. Mr. Disnadda Diskul, Secretary-General of Thailand’s Mae […]
more…13 Jun, 2012
New “No Sweat” Design Allows Commuters To Run, Bike or Walk to Work
Manchester, MA (PRWEB) June 12, 2012 – For people that would love to ride a bike or run to work but can’t find a place to shower, change, or secure their gear and get ready for the work day, there is a solution! GreenSpace has pioneered a project that promises to revolutionize the workday commute. […]
more…13 Jun, 2012
Global Students Compete To Achieve Change in Volvo Adventure Awards
Rockleigh, N.J. (PRWEB) June 12, 2012 — Students from all over the world united in Gothenburg at the Volvo Adventure Awards to battle it out to be crowned winner of the world-class environmental education programme. After experiencing tough competition across more than 45 countries, just 12 teams remained to fight for the coveted Volvo Adventure […]
more…13 Jun, 2012
Savvy Summer Travelers Find Free Ways to Communicate on Phones, Devices
Marina del Rey, CA (PRWEB) June 12, 2012 — Summer travelers agree that it’s costly to communicate on the road and are looking for alternatives to save money, according to a new survey by leading free mobile communications app, textPlus. Over 500 respondents shared their habits when it comes to communicating while traveling both domestically […]
more…13 Jun, 2012
Female Traders Surge in Money Markets, Do More Research, Take Less Risk
LONDON, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Figures show that the average annual profit of the top 20 female traders with City Index is £271,225. Who are they and how do they do it? Since 2001, the number of female traders opening accounts with City Index has risen by 1434%; with the number of trades being […]
more…12 Jun, 2012
Thai Royal Projects to Get More Global Prominence at Mekong Tourism Forum
CHIANG RAI, North Thailand – In yet another indicator of their growing popularity on the global travel scene, Thailand’s royal projects are to be the subject of the opening keynote speech at the Mekong Tourism Forum that got under way here today. Mr Disnadda Diskul, Chairman, Doi Tung Development Project, will address the June 13 […]
more…12 Jun, 2012
Cleared of Trumped Up Graft Charges, Tourism Malaysia Chief Returns to Work
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 (Bernama and Malaysian media reports) — Datuk Mirza Mohammd Taiyab Beg has returned to duty, as Tourism Malaysia director-general, effective June 11, the tourism promotion agency said in a statement. The decision for Mirza’s return was made by the disciplinary board of Tourism Malaysia following his acquittal by the Sessions Court, […]
more…12 Jun, 2012
Ahead of Rio+20, Global Trades Union Demand “New Development Paradigm”
Rio de Janeiro, 11 June 2012: The 3 day Trade Union Assembly organised jointly by the ITUC and Sustainlabour started today ahead of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development that is due to start next week. Trade unions have been lobbying world leaders, who will meet next week to revitalise commitments around sustainability, employment, […]
more…11 Jun, 2012
Are Security Agencies Spying on Muslim Travellers Worldwide?
A lawsuit filed on June 6 against the New York Police Department exposing how it allegedly spies on Muslim communities, businesses, mosques and individuals has raised serious questions about whether security and intelligence agencies of the U.S. and its geopolitical allies also similarly spy on Muslims, especially Muslim travellers, worldwide. With patience running thin amongst […]
more…11 Jun, 2012
OECD’s First Pensions Report: Those Who Live Longer, Will Have To Work Longer
Paris, 11 June 2012 – In a move that could impact on travel trends from the industrialised countries, especially by the growing numbers of senior citizens, the OECD report has issued a report calling for a revamp of pension schemes in order to keep ageing citizens at work for several years beyond present retirement age. […]
more…11 Jun, 2012
New Service Strives to Help More Americans Get Passports – Fast
(PRWEB) June 10, 2012 – Based on a study published by Data.gov, states such as New Jersey and Alaska have the highest passport ownership rates above 60% of the population. However, inland states such as Mississippi have passport ownership rates as low as 20% of the population. Such a figure is good news for expedited […]
more…10 Jun, 2012
U.S. Muslims sue NYPD for “unconstitutional surveillance”
Originally Published: 10 June 2012 In a move that could well have global ramifications involving the legal border-line between national security and rule of law, a group of Muslim communities, businesses, mosques and individuals in the U.S. last week filed a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department over allegations of unconstitutional surveillance. The […]
more…8 Jun, 2012
Myanmar, Bhutan Tourism Market Briefs — Free Download
BANGKOK, 7 June 2012 – Country presentations by Myanmar and Bhutan were among the highlights of briefing sessions organised at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to The Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+2012) during 06-08 June 2012. Other countries that made presentations are Vietnam, Cambodia as well as Thailand itself. A sixth presentation was on […]
more…8 Jun, 2012
In Parting Shot, Ousted Thai Airways Chief Blows Whistle on Festering “Poor Governance”
BANGKOK – Making an unscheduled departure well before the official end of his four-year contract, the President of Thai Airways International has blown the whistle on a several instances of alleged poor governance, corruption and nepotism. Addressing the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) on June 1, Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand admitted having failed to adequately […]
more…7 Jun, 2012
Planned Israeli Settlements In West Bank Violate International Law, Says UN Envoy
United Nations, 7 June 2012 (UN News Centre) – A top United Nations envoy today reiterated that all settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territory represents a breach of international law, after the Israeli Government announced it will build 300 new units in the Beit El settlement. “All settlement construction – whether on private Palestinian […]
more…7 Jun, 2012
Muslim Advocates Files First Lawsuit By Victims of NYPD Spying Program
(Newark, NJ) – June 6, 2012 – Today, Muslim Advocates filed an unprecedented lawsuit against the New York Police Department challenging its policy of targeting innocent American Muslims for surveillance based on their faith. It is the first lawsuit by victims of the NYPD’s discriminatory spying program. The lawsuit, Hassan, et al. v. City of New York, […]
more…6 Jun, 2012
Travel Agents Head List of Occupations Most Likely to Gain Weight – CareerBuilder Survey
CHICAGO, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Workplace treats have your pants feeling a little tighter than usual? A new CareerBuilder survey found two-in-five workers (44 percent) said they have gained weight at their current job, on par with previous studies. Twenty-six percent of workers gained over 10 pounds, and 14 percent gained over 20 pounds. […]
more…6 Jun, 2012
Telecoms Union Calls for Reduced e-Waste By Stretching Life of Device
Geneva, 5 June 2012 (International Telecommunications Union) – Participants at the 7th ITU Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change have issued a Declaration that encourages ICT manufacturers to make their products more easily upgradable without need for replacing the entire device. The call to promote a life cycle approach in the design of […]
more…6 Jun, 2012
Economic Slump, Geopolitical Change Affecting Workers Worldwide, Survey Shows
6 June 2012 (International Trades Union Congress): 2011 was a difficult and often dangerous year for workers throughout world, with those who dared stand up for their trade union rights facing dismissal, arrest, imprisonment and even death. That in essence is the picture that emerges from the annual survey of trade union rights violations published […]
more…6 Jun, 2012
Asia’s “Green Challenge”: Changing Consumption Patterns, Emission Cuts & Management of Water & Chemicals
6 June 2012 – On the eve of the landmark Rio+20 conference in Brazil, the UN Environment Programme has issued the following Global Environment Outlook 5 (GEO 5) summary for Asia and the Pacific Region:
more…5 Jun, 2012
UN Environment Programme Names Its ‘2012 Champions Of The Earth’
New York, 4 Jun 2012: A country president, a banker, an aeronaut, a scientist, a renewable energy businessman and a conservationist were today named as the six winners of the United Nations Champions of the Earth 2012 award, given to those whose actions and leadership have had a positive impact on the environment. “As the world […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
UN Security Council Told: If Opportunity Missed, Dangerous ‘One-State’ Solution Could Result
United Nations, (UN Department of Public Information) 29 May 2012 – Describing a mix of positive potential in the recent “quiet engagement” between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, as well as concurrent destabilizing events, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process warned the Security Council this morning that if current opportunities were not seized […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
As Power Shifts, West Will Lose Ability To Push The Rest
CANBERRA, 4 June 2012 — The United Nations is located at the cross-section of Interdependence Avenue and Multilateral Cooperation Street in Manhattan. But its destiny lies at the intersection of Indifference Avenue and Hostility Street in Washington. That was the case, at least, under the George W. Bush administration through the mode of John Bolton, the United […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Jobs for Youth Top Priority In Post-Conflict Nations: UN Peacebuilding Chief
United Nations, 4 Jun 2012 (UN News Centre) — United Nations officials today stressed the need for partnerships across governments, the private sector and civil society to urgently tackle the challenge of job creation in post-conflict countries, especially for young people, who make up the bulk of these populations. “Job creation, especially for young people, […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Changing Face of Landscape Where Jesus Once Walked
BETHLEHEM (4 June 2012) : It seems like yesterday that we watched Israeli tanks rolling down the hills towards our sleepy town of Beit Sahour 45 years ago today. As a child it was the most frightening sight. The second stage of the Zionist expansion on the land of Palestine unleashed terror that our generation […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
UN Chief Upholds Role of Women, Youth in Peaceful Settlement of Palestine Conflict
Paris, (UN Department of Public Information) 30 May 2012 – Stressing the important role of Palestinian women and youth in achieving a durable peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a greater say for both groups in decision-making, as he kicked off the United Nations International Meeting in Support of the […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Impact of Israeli Occupation on Housing, Health Care, Jobs for Palestinian Women, Youth
PARIS, (UN Department of Public Information) 30 May 2012 — The Israeli occupation’s harsh socio-economic impact on Palestinian youth and women and the subsequent challenges and home-grown and global efforts to improve their lot were examined this afternoon as the United Nations International Meeting on the Question of Palestine held its first plenary session in […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Speakers Outraged at Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Civilians
PARIS, (UN Department of Public Information), 31 May 2012 — The role of information technology in Palestinian social cohesion and state-building, strategies to bolster education and the need to hold Israel to account for human rights abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territory were examined this morning as the United Nations International Meeting on the Question […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Call for Different Kind of Diplomacy to Resolve Palestine Conflict
PARIS, (UN Department of Public Information) 31 May 2012 — The need to change the Israeli mindset towards Palestinians, dismantle Israeli settlements, apply rights-based diplomacy to end the conflict, and better coordinate civil society and United Nations efforts on the ground took centre stage as the United Nations International Meeting on the Question of Palestine […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
China-Bashing U.S. Politicians “Playing A Foolish Game”
Beijing (1 June 2012) – People in China get upset by the China-bashing rhetoric of people like Mitt Romney, who won the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday, or the celebrity businessman, Donald Trump. But is it worth getting angry at their crowd-pleasing antics? I think it is better just to ignore them. Even the conservative […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Chinese Commentator Urges Efforts to Counterbalance U.S. Domination of Global Opinion Market
Beijing (2 June 2012) – China urgently needs to carry out more effective public diplomacy if it is to overcome the misunderstandings, prejudice and suspicions that people in other countries have toward it. Public diplomacy is an indispensable part of a country’s approach to foreign relations as well as an important supplement to its traditional […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
China Continues to Prop Up Growth in Arrivals to Australia
Canberra, 04 June 2012 (Australian government media release) — New figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show visitors to Australia grew by a slow 1% April 2012, compared to April 2011. China provided most of this growth with a 34% increase in April 2012. It helped offset a 28% decline in arrivals […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
Spending Boost To Help Make More Australian Students “Asia Literate”
Canberra, 4 June 2012 (Australian government media release) — More students will be encouraged to learn Asian languages and cultures with the Gillard Government providing another $87, 000 funding to support the work of the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), School Education Minister Peter Garrett said today. The funding will go towards three projects which will […]
more…5 Jun, 2012
New Branding Slogan Sealed: “All That Glitters is Not Gold, But Myanmar Is”
Bangkok, (1 June 2012) – With the tourism gold rush in full swing, Burmese Vice Minister for Hotels & Tourism U Htay Aung says the industry will “learn from the mistakes” of other countries in ASEAN. However, he is realistic enough to recognise that that may be easier said than done.
more…5 Jun, 2012
ILO Report Outlines Dire Situation Of Workers In Israeli-Occupied Territories
GENEVA (ILO News), 04 June 2012 – The situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories is extremely worrying and remains precarious according to the annual report of the International Labour Organization (ILO) submitted to the 101st Session of the International Labour Conference. This is above all due to the realities of the occupation on […]
more…2 Jun, 2012
India Mulling Mandalay-Imphal Bus Service To Boost Travel to Myanmar
In an address to business leaders and academics in Myanmar on May 29, 2012, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India is considering the launch of a bus service from Mandalay to Imphal, capital of the Northeast Indian state of Manipur. He also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and announced that she had been […]
more…2 Jun, 2012
Blaming the Victim in Palestine is Like Saying Colonialism was Good for the Natives
Jun 1, 2012 — In the wake of the commemoration of the Nakba last month, several Zionist commentaries appearing in both several Israeli publications and American publications have highlighted a similar and disturbing trend; they blame the victims of the Nakba for their fate. So what does it take to describe the depopulation of 500 […]
more…2 Jun, 2012
Careers & Dreams Delayed as 12% of US Young Adults Remain Jobless
WASHINGTON, June 01, 2012, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Generation Opportunity, one of America’s largest organizations connecting with young adults through a strategy of social media outreach coupled with on-the-ground grassroots organizing, is today releasing the non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) 18-29 unemployment rate data for May: The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds specifically (NSA) for May 2012 is […]
more…2 Jun, 2012
Facebook Hit By Class Action Lawsuit for Alleged U.S. Securities Act Violations
SAN FRANCISCO, June 1, 2012 –(BUSINESS WIRE) — The U.S. law firm, Pearson, Simon, Warshaw & Penny, LLP filed on May 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, a securities class action against Facebook, Inc., its officers and directors who signed Facebook’s registration statement, and the lead underwriters […]
more…31 May, 2012
Economic Sentiment Indicator Falls Sharply in Both EU and Eurozone
Brussels, 30 May 2012 (Europa Press Release) – The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) decreased sharply in May, falling by 2.7 points in the EU and by 2.3 points in the euro area, to 90.5 and 90.6, respectively. In both zones the decline was driven by falling confidence in all business sectors, especially in industry and […]
more…31 May, 2012
92% of Beaches at EU Holiday Destinations Meet Water Quality Standards
Brussels, 23 May (Europa Press Release) – Good news if you’re planning a beach holiday in Europe this summer. 92.1 % of bathing waters in the European Union now meet the minimum water quality standards set by the Bathing Water Directive. This includes the Serpentine Lake in London, which will host several Olympics events, including the […]
more…31 May, 2012
Dell Funds Report Encouraging Corporate Whistleblowers to Speak Up
ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New findings by the Ethics Resource Center (ERC) will shatter long-held perceptions of what constitutes a “whistleblower.” For years, the term has been used to describe those employees who go outside their company to report wrongdoing. They may do so because they do not trust their company to handle the issue appropriately or […]
more…31 May, 2012
Global Labour Organisation Chief Gives Myanmar Same Importance as Palestine
Address to the Plenary, 101st International Labour Conference, Geneva, 30 May 2012. We know that it’s time for a policy rethink. The financial crash of 2008 signalled the beginning of the end of the current growth and globalization model as I described last year in my report on “A new era of social justice”. Four […]
more…31 May, 2012
China to Arab World: “Historical Opportunity” For New Era of Bilateral Relations
An Article Written in the Run-up to the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, May 30, 2012 On 31 May, the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) will be held in Tunisia. At the beginning of 2004, President Hu Jintao paid a historic visit to the headquarters of […]
more…30 May, 2012
ADB Sees Asia Needing US$8 Trillion to Fund Infrastructure; Australia Tops PPP Schemes
MANILA, Philippines (ADB Media Release) – Asia and the Pacific has seen a boom in public private partnerships (PPPs) in the past decade but it needs more effective public sector oversight agencies, and in some instances more political will, to advance the process even further, says a new study commissioned by the Asian Development Bank […]
more…30 May, 2012
Road Union Makes Proposals to Double Bus & Coach Users in EU
Brussels, 30 May 2012 – The International Road Transport Union (IRU), in cooperation with the European Commission, launched the Public-Private Smart Move High Level Group (HLG) yesterday, with the objective to elaborate, concrete policy and business recommendations on how to double the number of users of passenger transport by bus, coach and taxis in the […]
more…30 May, 2012
Countdown Begins for World Environment Day, 5 June
Nairobi/Rio de Janeiro, 30 May 2012 – From the floor of the National Senate, to the streets of Rio de Janeiro, the countdown to World Environment Day (WED) on 5 June 2012 is well underway in Brazil. This year’s host country is preparing to lead what promises to be the largest WED celebrations in the […]
more…29 May, 2012
India, Myanmar Agree To Upgrade Road Link With Thailand by 2016
India and Myanmar have pledged to complete the road link from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar by 2016. The agreement was reached during the visit by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Myanmar which ended on May 29. The road will complete one of the most important missing links […]
more…29 May, 2012
University Students Harnessing Mobile Technology For Social Change, Crisis Management
CAMBRIDGE, MASS (PRWEB) May 25, 2012 — Students from Harvard and Berkeley, in cooperation with the World Mind Network, Peer to Peer Media Group, and the Creative Commons Initiative, are building a new social network dedicated to using a multitude of Web and Smart Phone apps to build projects in a few hours which achieve […]
more…29 May, 2012
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Pioneer Launches Awareness Campaign About Facebook Addiction
Malibu, CA (PRWEB) May 25, 2012 — Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Inspire Malibu, recognized by many as the top addiction treatment center in Malibu, California and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (http://www.USC.edu), announced today that his team at Inspire Malibu is launching an awareness […]
more…29 May, 2012
Worst Online Advertising Mistakes of 2012
Reno, NV (PRWEB) May 25, 2012 – Preventable online advertising mistakes in 2012 continue to cost US businesses precious advertising dollars and some are even losing out completely. As pay per click management firm Webrageous explains, in the current financial climate businesses cannot afford to continue making these costly mistakes. Webrageous Marketing Director David Chapman […]
more…29 May, 2012
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games a Model of Corruption Prevention
Beijing, 2012-05-28 – China’s top anti-corruption officials have vowed to share their experience of running “corruption-free” Beijing Olympic Games as a model to others in the country’s battle against official greed. Huang Shuxian, deputy chief of the Communist Party of China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, spoke highly of China’s experience of holding clean Olympic […]
more…29 May, 2012
Much-Needed Cooling Awaits China As West Slows Growth
Beijing, May 25, 2012 – Developing countries are now drastically out-competing the developed world. Capital is flowing away from “rich” countries to emerging ones via the huge trade deficits of developed nations. The US, with its ever-widening gap reaching $51.8 billion this March, serves as the prime example. Trade surpluses of the developing world, meanwhile, […]
more…29 May, 2012
Human Rights: China Hits Back At “Uncle Sam’s Hypocrisy”
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhuanet) — In response to the United States’ biased annual country reports on human rights practices released on Thursday, China’s Information Office of the State Council issued its own report on Friday revealing the true human rights situation in the US. The report, titled the “Human Rights Record of the United States in […]
more…29 May, 2012
Weak Euro Strengthens Attraction for Chinese Tourists
Beijing, 2012-05-29 – Wang Yalan is traveling to Europe again this year as the falling euro is prompting a rise in Chinese tourists. “The expenses for local transportation and accommodation in European countries are high, especially when I prefer to travel by myself rather than join tour groups,” said Wang, who has a budget of […]
more…28 May, 2012
Chinese, Thais Lead Gold Rush for Myanmar’s Energy, Natural Resources
Edited excerpts of speech delivered on 21 May 2012 at the 68th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Bangkok, Thailand. In Myanmar, the new government was formed on 30th March 2011 in accord with the new administrative mechanism so Union government and State and Region governments were also […]
more…28 May, 2012
Yen – Yuan Direct Trading Likely to Start in June
BEIJING May 27, 2012 — Japan and China are expected to start directly trading their currencies in June as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment, financial sources in Beijing said Saturday. With the new step, exchange rates between the yen and the yuan will be determined solely by transactions of the two […]
more…28 May, 2012
Preparing for “Asian Century,” Australia Eases Visas to Draw Rich & Talented
Canberra, 25 May 2012 — The Australian Government has announced the launch of a new visa program, the Significant Investor visa, targeting migrants who could make an investment of at least $5 million in the Australian economy. It has also approved its first Enterprise Migration Agreement (EMA), granted to help a new iron ore mining […]
more…27 May, 2012
“Experience An Exotic Music Festival In a Rainforest” & More
A compilation of stories of interesting events and developments in the world of Islam for the week ending 27 May 2012. Pls click on any of the headlines to go to the story.
more…27 May, 2012
Dynamics of Emerging New World Order on Full Display at ESCAP Annual Summit
Originally Published: 27 May 2012 The trials, tribulations, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the emerging New World Order and the rise of the Asian Century were on full display at the 68th session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific held in Bangkok last week. While the Asian countries […]
more…25 May, 2012
New UN Website Fosters Sharing Of Sustainable Development Projects
United Nations, May 23 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations today launched a new online database to strengthen partnerships between sustainable development projects in developing countries and enable communities to better manage their natural resources and local environment. The first online portal of its kind, the South-South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism will feature a […]
more…25 May, 2012
Asia-Pacific Speaks: “G20 Has Made Little Progress in Strengthening Global Growth”
Opening Statement Delivered by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary at the 3rd High Level Consultation on the G20 Cannes Summit, organised during the 68th Session of the ESCAP Commission, Bangkok, Thailand, on 23 May 2012 In October last year, representatives of 28 ESCAP member States convened here in Bangkok, at […]
more…25 May, 2012
UN Declares 2013-2022 as “Asia-Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities”
BANGKOK – In what could prove to be a golden opportunity for the global travel & tourism industry to enhance its contribution to society, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) has officially declared 2013-2022 as the “Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities” and invited all stakeholders to […]
more…24 May, 2012
Ultra High Definition Television: Threshold Of a New Age
Geneva, 24 May 2012 (ITU Media Release) – The International Telecommunications Union has announced a new Recommendation that represents a major advance in television broadcasting that will create an entirely new television broadcast environment with the advent of ‘Ultra High Definition Television’ or UHDTV. ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has developed the standard – or Recommendation […]
more…24 May, 2012
Not All Israeli Citizens Are Equal
Published: May 23, 2012 in the International Herald Tribune and distributed by the Jerusalem Fund and the Palestine Centre. I’M a Palestinian who was born in the Israeli town of Lod, and thus I am an Israeli citizen. My wife is not; she is a Palestinian from Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Despite our […]
more…22 May, 2012
The “Nakba” Continues – So Does The “White Intifada”
Indeed, the Nakba continues – So does the resistance! Palestinians and their supporters peacefully demonstrated in the Palestinian territories, and around the world on May 15 to mark the anniversary of the Nakba. (Nakba is the Arabic word which means ‘disaster’). To the Palestinians, the founding of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948 […]
more…22 May, 2012
Travel & Tourism Will Feel The Heat of India’s “White Paper on Black Money”
In a move that is set to have a significant impact on the way India, Indian companies and Indian people do business, the Manmohan Singh administration has published a unique battle plan outlining its “crusade” against tax avoidance and evasion. The “White Paper on Black Money”, published on May 21 goes into copious detail about […]
more…18 May, 2012
Zionist Jews Continuing Efforts to Wipe Palestine Off the Map
The following is a briefing report on the 342nd meeting of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People which took place at the UN headquarters in New York on May 16 May 2012. This committee has met 342 times and effectively achieved nothing. In fact, the relentless Zionist effort to wipe Palestine […]
more…18 May, 2012
Job-rich Growth Essential for G20 Recovery, say OECD & ILO
Joint statement by ILO Director-General Juan Somavia and OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría on the occasion of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting, Guadalajara, Mexico, 17 May 2012 17/05/2012 – We, the Heads of the International Labour Organization and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, call upon the Ministers of Labour and Employment of […]
more…18 May, 2012
Xinhua Insight: Global Regulators Seek Solution to Regulatory, Financial Challenges
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) — As the world’s equity markets jitter over the fallout of JP Morgan Chase & Co.’s two-billion-U.S.-dollar trading loss and fret about a likely Greek default, global securities regulators are trying to find a solution to minimize the impact. More than 500 representatives from securities regulatory agencies from 203 countries and […]
more…18 May, 2012
Yuan Full Convertibility “Just Around the Corner”
2012-05-17 – China’s currency is just around the corner from being fully convertible and the economy’s capital account is already far more convertible than outside institutions give it credit for, said China’s top securities regulator on Wednesday. “At present, we have a very good chance to carry out the strategy of realizing convertibility of (the) […]
more…18 May, 2012
China Pressing Ahead With Diversification of Reserves
Originally published on 2012-05-17 – China remains the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities, a “safe haven” amid the eurozone crisis, but an ongoing decline in these holdings reflects the country’s determination to diversify its foreign reserves, experts said. China boosted its stockpile of the securities by $14.7 billion to $1.17 trillion in March, […]
more…17 May, 2012
World Health Statistics 2012 Report Out, Shows Diabetes, Hypertension On The Rise
16 May 2012, Geneva (World Health Organisation) – The World Health Statistics 2012 report, released today, puts the spotlight on the growing problem of the noncommunicable diseases burden. One in three adults worldwide, according to the report, has raised blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart […]
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