Author Archive
12 Apr, 2012
UN Highlights Role Of Business Sector In Achieving Sustainable Development
Apr 11 2012, UN News Centre: The business and industry sectors play a key role in leading countries towards sustainable development, a top United Nations official said, adding that their collaboration and partnerships with governments are essential to accelerate progress around the world. “Business leaders have the power to make decisions today that can affect […]
more…12 Apr, 2012
Dementia Cases Set To Triple By 2050 But Still Largely Ignored
Geneva, (World Health Organization News Release) 11 April 2012 – Worldwide, nearly 35.6 million people live with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million). Dementia affects people in all countries, with more than half (58%) living in low- and middle-income countries. By 2050, […]
more…12 Apr, 2012
Myanmar Plans To Seek World Heritage Status for Pyu Ancient Cities
10 Apr 2012, (UNESCO News Release): Myanmar authorities are advancing in their preparations towards nominating the Pyu Ancient Cities to the World Heritage List. International and national experts attended a seminar convened by UNESCO and the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library of the Myanmar Ministry of Information and Culture from 4-6 April 2012 […]
more…12 Apr, 2012
“Welcome to Palestine” Campaigners Battle Israeli Lies, Pressure
Bethlehem, 11 April 2012 – The Welcome to Palestine 2012 campaign had a successful inaugural press conference in Bethlehem (with support from the Mayor and Governor) while the Israeli establishment continues to show hysterical reaction. Below is a youtube video taken at the conference and links to stories, some showing Israeli paranoia about allowing peaceful […]
more…11 Apr, 2012
Asian Development Bank Highlights Tourism’s Critical Role in Recovering, Diversifying Economies
BANGKOK / MANILA — Travel & tourism is playing an increasingly critical role in helping Asia-Pacific countries recover from a wide range of problems, ranging from economic downturns to geopolitical crises and natural disasters, according to an Asian Development Bank report issued today. The Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2012, the ADB’s flagship annual economic publication, […]
more…10 Apr, 2012
Poll Shows Majority in U.S. Has No Appetite for Iran Conflict
NEW YORK, April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — As the United States has removed itself from one extended military conflict in the Middle East — in Iraq — another one possibly looms on the horizon, brought on by Iran’s suspected nuclear program and, among other things, Israel’s desire to abolish it. The U.S. has a tricky […]
more…10 Apr, 2012
Global Mayan Conference Gathers to Dispel Notion of 2012 “Apocalypse”
Yreka, California (PRWEB) April 09, 2012 — While Hollywood movie makers, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and various unauthorized ‘experts’ have shared opinions about what the end of the Mayan Calendar means, the Maya have remained very quiet about the astronomical event. That is, until now. On April 12-15, Mayan spiritual leaders, scientists and anthropologists will […]
more…10 Apr, 2012
Gulf Recruitment Survey Shows Impact of Regional Turmoil on Job Market
Dubai, (PRWEB) April 09, 2012 — The Gulf region continues to create jobs despite the impact of the Arab Spring in 2011, according to a survey by Dubai-based online recruitment firm, GulfTalent.com. The oil and gas, healthcare and retail sectors are enjoying the largest headcount expansion, while banking and construction fare the worst. The 2012 […]
more…10 Apr, 2012
BRICS Pose Challenge to U.S.-Dominated Global Architecture
CANBERRA, April 10, 2012— From a turn of phrase by Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs in 2001, a grouping was born in 2009. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa) make up two-fifths of the world’s population, one-fifth of world gross domestic product and one-seventh of world trade. Yet, they account for two-thirds of […]
more…9 Apr, 2012
Challenging the Israeli Siege: Easter and the “Welcome to Palestine” Campaign
Easter is here with its past memories, present joys, and future hopes. Church bells in Bethlehem remind us of ancient traditions. The roar of Israeli jets overhead (on another bombing mission to Gaza?) remind us of the present. Stories of freedom and resurrection, past and future, mix as I see a Palestinian Christian child offering […]
more…9 Apr, 2012
India to Push Its Culinary Advantage, Establish 10 Spice Export Parks By End-2012
New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 08-April, 2012 – In a move that will further enhance the quality and popularity of Indian cuisine worldwide, the Spice Board of India, a unit of the Ministry of Commerce, will establish 10 spice parks across the country by end-2012. A total of Rs. 167 crores have been […]
more…9 Apr, 2012
China’s Over-65 Population Hits 123 Million
BEIJING, April 7 (Xinhua) — A total of 123 million Chinese were aged over 65 by the end of 2011, about 9.1 percent of the total population, the Health Aging Symposium announced Saturday. Chinese seniors aged 80 or above are expected to take up 30 percent of the population aged 65 or above in 2050, […]
more…8 Apr, 2012
Honey Farming Makes Bangladeshi A Successful Entrepreneur
RAJSHAHI, April 7 (BSS) – Honey farming has made Jarjish of Shayampur village under Paba upazila of the district a successful honey entrepreneur. After taking loan of Taka 25,000 from Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank in 2004, he had started the farming at different crop fields with six boxes and collected 400 kilograms of honey on […]
more…8 Apr, 2012
Islamic World Plans Education/Research Network
RABAT, 3 April (IINA)-Capitalizing on young talents in the Arab and Muslim world, a pan-Islamic group is planning an education and research network to enhance cooperation between talented Arab and Muslim youth. “A pan-Islamic research and education network will provide a helping hand in quickly translating the initiative for an Islamic space for higher education […]
more…8 Apr, 2012
Indonesia’s Foot-Tapping Dangdut Music To Go Global
April 3 2012, Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Soon, Indonesians will not be the only ones shaking their bodies and swinging their hips to dangdut music, but so will people in America and other countries. Indonesia’s dangdut musicians are planning to propose that dangdut be included on the UNESCO’s cultural heritage list. In Washington DC, Indonesian […]
more…8 Apr, 2012
Will PATA Regain Its Past Glory?
BANGKOK: Twenty years ago, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, PATA, was the pre-eminent travel industry organisation of the Asia Pacific, recognised as its primary authority and “voice”. Its membership totalled a formidable 2,060 in 1994. Its annual conference was the place to be for marketing, networking, research and lobbying. Cities queued up to bid for […]
more…6 Apr, 2012
Arab Christians Denied Chance to Celebrate Good Friday
JERUSALEM, April 6, 2012 (WAFA) – While Christians from all over the world were able to attend the Good Friday celebrations in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians were denied this opportunity. Israel has imposed a total closure on the occupied territories preventing Christians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip the chance to […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
Close to Being Wiped Off the Map: Jews Control 85% of Historical Palestine
RAMALLAH, March 29, 2012 (WAFA) – Jews constitute around 52% of the total population living in historical Palestine and utilize more than 85% of the total area of the land, press release issued by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Thursday. Arabs make the remaining 48% but are allowed to utilize only 15% of […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
Watching the Watchers: Arab-Americans Resent Being Under the NY Police Microscope
Washington, DC, www.adc.org, March 30, 2012 — As part of the ongoing Arabesque Lecture Series, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) hosted an event titled NYPD: The Community under a Microscope. This was the sixth lecture in the 2011-2012 series. (The event was streamed live online via ADC-TV. Click here to watch a full recording of […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
Global Downturn Hits Aid Funding to Developing Countries – OECD
Paris, 4 April 2012, OECD News Release – – In 2011, members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD provided USD 133.5 billion of net official development assistance (ODA), representing 0.31 per cent of their combined gross national income (GNI). This was a -2.7 % drop in real terms compared to 2010, the […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
More Chinese Mainland Tourists Get Nod to Visit Taiwan
BEIJING/TAIPEI, (Xinhua), 2012-04-02 — Residents of ten additional Chinese mainland cities will be allowed to travel to Taiwan as independent tourists, according to a deal reached between organizations from both sides of the Strait on Sunday. Residents of Tianjin, Chongqing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Chengdu will be allowed to visit Taiwan individually starting from April […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
Hotel Survey Results “Surprise”: Brands Less Important Than Claimed
Costa Mesa, California (Burba Hotel Network) April 5 2012 – The results are in for BHN’s first hotel opinion survey, covering the likes, dislikes and preferences of hotel insiders. More than 1,000 hotel insiders from around the world responded to the survey, and here are their opinions. Location, Location, Location What is the first consideration […]
more…5 Apr, 2012
Indian Hospitality Sector Needs 200,000 Trained People Yearly – Minister
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, April 4, 2012 – With the Ministry of tourism targeting over 12 % growth rate in in-bound as well as domestic tourists, it has been projected that tourism sector will generate additional jobs of about 2.5 crore, both direct and indirect, during the 12th Five year Plan. This was stated […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
Imtiaz Muqbil’s Opening Remarks, Int’l Luxury Travel Mart, Cannes, Dec 4, 2006
Bon Apres Midi, Namaskar and Sawasdee Khrap. Thanks to Strategic Vision and Reed Travel Exhibitions for the invitation to moderate at this panel discussion. We have four eminent panellists, Raymond Bickson, Michael Hobson, Elena Vetrova and Mimma Viglezio, with a broad range of experience in attracting the luxury clientele from the key markets of Russia, […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
Blitz in Telecoms Usage Projected To Reduce Business, MICE Travel
Geneva, 2 April 2012 – Broadband can help transition the world towards a low carbon-economy and address the causes and effects of climate change, according to a new report by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. The Broadband Bridge: Linking ICT with Climate Action makes a number of clear suggestions on how the growing power […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
Timbuktu, Ancient Islamic City of Trade And Learning, Under Attack
BAMAKO, Mali, 2 April, (Agencies/IINA)-Booms from rocket launchers and automatic gunfire crackled Sunday around Mali’s fabled town of Timbuktu, known as an ancient seat of Islamic learning, for its 700-year-old mud mosque and, more recently, as host of the musical Festival in the Desert that attracted Bono in January. On Sunday, nomadic Tuareg who descended […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
India Okays 160 Tourism Projects During 2011-12, Boosts Highway Development
New Delhi, April 3, 2012 (Press Information Bureau) – According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Tourism for the year 2011-12 released here today, the Ministry has approved 160 tourism projects for an amount of Rs. 710.02 crores for tourism infrastructure augmentation to States/Union Territories upto 31st December, 2011. The Ministry has given […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
Islamic Bank Approves Nearly US$ 390 Million For Development Projects
KHARTOUM, Sudan, 2 April (IINA) – The 282nd meeting of the Board of Executive Directors of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Khartoum, has approved US$ 389.3 million of new financing as a boost to the ongoing development drive in the Muslim world and Muslim communities in different parts of the world. Chaired by IDB […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
African Cinema Explodes on the Web To Combat Colonial Mindset, Force Change
NEW YORK, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — As the democratic process in Africa grows momentum and the people express their will, news from the Continent continues to dominate the headlines. The people are increasingly challenging the status quo, their efforts recalling the works and philosophy of the late author and director Ousmane Sembene, known as […]
more…4 Apr, 2012
EU Aviation Ban Update Now Lists 46 Indonesian, 51 Philippines Carriers
Brussels, 03 April 2012 (Source: European Union Media release) – The European Commission today adopted the 19th update of the European list of air carriers which are for safety reasons subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. The list of 279 carriers includes 46 in Indonesia and 51 in the […]
more…3 Apr, 2012
U.S. Jewish Billionaire Wins Former Shepherd Hotel Land; Palestinian Owners to Fight On
JERUSALEM, April 2, 2012 (WAFA) – The Israeli Supreme Court Monday rejected an appeal by the heirs of the late Jerusalem mufti, Hajj Amin Husseini, against the Israeli government sale of the residence, also known as the Shepherd Hotel, located in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Editor’s Comment This report is further proof […]
more…3 Apr, 2012
America’s Double Standards in the War on Terror
Source: David Frakt, Double Standards in the War on Terror, JURIST – Forum, Apr. 2, 2012 Over the last decade, the US has developed a very interesting double standard when it comes to the killing of American citizens. During the Bush administration, we developed the rule of “we can kill you, but you can’t kill […]
more…3 Apr, 2012
Ageing Societies to be Theme of World Health Day, April 7
Ageing and health – to which each and every one of us can relate – is the theme of this year’s World Health Day to be marked on April 7. Using the slogan “Good health adds life to years”, campaign activities and materials will focus on how good health throughout life can help older men […]
more…3 Apr, 2012
American Way is The Wrong Way: World Happiness Report 2012
UN Headquarters, April 2 – Although it is the world’s pre-eminent economic superpower, the United States is also a key example of a country where material affluence has been accompanied by widening social and economic inequalities, high levels of uncertainties and anxieties, declining social trust and all-time low levels of confidence in government, according to […]
more…3 Apr, 2012
US$43 million ADB Loan to Uplift Tourism Infrastructure in India
New Delhi, (Press Information Bureau) April 2, 2012 – The Government of India (GOI), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and States of Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand today signed a $43.84 million loan agreement for the second tranche of Infrastructure Development Investment Program for Tourism. The Program was approved in 2010 for a total loan package of […]
more…2 Apr, 2012
BRICS Summit Unites With A Clear Voice: No Attack on Iran
The travel & tourism industry has received a clear mandate to rally public opposition to a potential Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran. The Delhi Declaration, a joint communique issued on March 29 after a summit by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) contains the unequivocal statement: “The situation concerning Iran cannot […]
more…2 Apr, 2012
China Plans New System to Facilitate Cross-border Yuan Use, Improve Trade
China’s central bank has decided to develop a new international payment system to facilitate cross-border renminbi clearance among market players, Financial News, a publication run by the People’s Bank of China, reported on Friday. The newspaper said the decision was made after technical feasibility studies with commercial lenders, citing an anonymous source in charge of […]
more…1 Apr, 2012
Can the BRICS create change we can believe in?
Originally Published: 01 April 2012 The final outcome document issued after the March 29 summit of the leaders of Brazil, South Africa, Russia, China and India is officially known as the Delhi Declaration. It actually reads like a Delhi Declaration of Independence, a blueprint for the emerging new world order that will have a profound […]
more…31 Mar, 2012
Australia Seeks Public Comment for Strategy to Curb Growing Racism
Canberra, 29 March 2012 — Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Helen Szoke has called on all Australians to get involved in the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for the country. The Government’s National Anti-Racism Partnership, led by Dr Szoke, today launched a discussion paper, website and online survey to kick start the conversation about addressing […]
more…31 Mar, 2012
India, Brazil Plan Boost in Bilateral Tourism, Investments
New Delhi, March 29, 2012 (Press Information Bureau) – India and Brazil are planning a number of ways to strengthen cooperation in various sectors of tourism. The visiting Tourism Minister of Brazil Mr Gastao Vieira who called on Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai here today said that Brazil is keen to exchange experience in […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
UNESCO to Launch Project for Safeguarding Cultural Heritage in Myanmar
Bangkok, 30 March 2012 (UNESCO Press release) – UNESCO together with the Ministry of Information and Culture will launch the project “Capacity Building to Safeguard Cultural Heritage in Myanmar” in a ceremony at 9:00 am on 4 April 2012 at the Parkroyal Hotel in Yangon. The Deputy Minister of Culture, HE Daw Sandar Khin, the […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
Imtiaz Muqbil’s Speech at the First UNWTO Conference on Tourism, Religions and Dialogue of Cultures
The following is the full text of the talk by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire at the International Conference on Tourism, Religions and Dialogue of Cultures in Córdoba, Spain, on 31 October 2007. It was entitled: Beware the “Other Global Warming” ============== Buenos Dias, Good Morning, Shalom, Namaskar, Sawasdee Khrap and As-Salaam O […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
World Bank Anti-Corruption Study Urges Full Disclosure of Assets, Income by Public Officials
WASHINGTON, March 28, 2012 (World Bank Media release) — Disclosure by public officials of their income, assets and interests should be mandated if the fight against corruption is to succeed, according to a study released today by the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative of the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
Chapel Hill, NC, First U.S. Town to Ban Total Cell Phone Use While Driving
ITASCA, Ill., March 29, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — The National Safety Council applauds the town council in Chapel Hill, NC, for passing a total cell phone ban for all motorists, becoming the first town in the nation to ban hands-free use. Once the law goes into effect June 1, motorists also will be banned from […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
Survey: Getting Caught Throwing Trash Out Window More Embarrassing Than Cheating on Taxes
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. March 28, 2012 –(BUSINESS WIRE)–Getting caught throwing trash out of the car window is more embarrassing to Americans than getting caught cheating on their taxes, a national survey released today shows. The national poll, conducted by Shelton Group, found that environmentally unfriendly behaviors – such as littering or driving a gas guzzler – […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
Asian-American CEO’s Six Strategies to Break Through “The Bamboo Ceiling”
BOSTON & GENEVA March 29, 2010 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–Philip Lee, an Asian-American President and CEO of a leading Boston technology corporation, says, “Asian-Americans have to be substantially better than the ‘safe’ stereotypical senior executive profile to get the job.” He defines 6 strategies to break through based on his own experience earning the President/CEO title […]
more…30 Mar, 2012
New Study Shows Sitting Is Killing, So Try Working While Standing
PHOENIX, March 29, 2012 — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Looking for the motivation to get off of the couch and get moving? A new study just released finds those who spend 11 or more hours a day sitting are 40 percent more likely to die over the next three years regardless of how physically active they […]
more…29 Mar, 2012
BRICS Leaders Meet in New Delhi, Push More Intra-BRICS Trade & Business
New Delhi, March 28, 2012, (Press Information Bureau) – India is hosting the Fourth Summit of the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa (BRICS) in New Delhi 29 March 2012. On 28 March, the Trade Ministers of the BRICS nations met for the second time since their first meeting in Sanya, China […]
more…29 Mar, 2012
Exercising the Universal Right to Visit Palestine, Minus an Israeli Visa
Palestine, a state recognised by the governments of 132 countries around the world, is the only sovereign state that needs a visa from another state in order to visit it. This travesty must end. When that happens, when the Israeli Occupation ends, then and only then can the peoples of the Middle East, and the […]
more…29 Mar, 2012
With U.S. Support, Israel All Set to Wipe Palestine Off the Map, UN Told
UN Headquarters, March 27, 2012 – Without serious, concrete intervention by year’s end to stop Israel’s policies and strategies to systematically and deliberately destroy the two-State solution, prospects for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians would be ruined, a top Palestinian peace negotiator today told the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights […]
more…28 Mar, 2012
Led by Asians, Global Rich Get Richer But Fear Income Inequality Backlash – Wealth Report
London, 28 March 2012 — Most of the world’s richest people became even more rich in 2011 and are optimistic about getting still richer in future. However, 91% of them see “global economic factors” as the biggest threat to future wealth creation, as against a fractional 6% who see “terrorism” as the biggest threat and […]
more…28 Mar, 2012
Rising Higher Studies Costs Will Widen Rich-Poor Social Chasm, ADB Warns
A new report by the Asian Development Bank has raised serious questions about the “massification” and privatisation of higher education in the Asia-Pacific, asserting that rising costs and higher fees will further favour the rich and exacerbate the region’s rich-poor income gap. That, in turn could lead to other downstream problems such as worsening social […]
more…28 Mar, 2012
As Online Shopping Surges, Australia Post Launches Digital MailBox, 30 Superstores
26 March 2012 — In response to record numbers of Australians moving their lives online, Australia Post today announced a free Australia Post Digital MailBox for every Australian will be launched this year, in addition to opening 30 superstores across the country. “The Australia Post Digital MailBox will allow businesses, government entities and customers to […]
more…28 Mar, 2012
Insurance Company Tips for Catering To Older Travellers
Croydon, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 27 March 2012 — They have time, money and a spirit of adventure – and holiday experts say a key trend for 2012 is travel by the over-55s. They are more determined to keep taking holidays than any other age group despite the economic gloom, according to the Association of […]
more…27 Mar, 2012
One Trillion Euros in Bailout Funds Needed to Kick-Start a “Stalling Europe” – OECD
Paris, 27 March 2012, (OECD Media Release) – Euro area finance ministers meeting this week need to boost the firepower of the European stability funds to at least one trillion euros, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said today. The current level of commitment to the rescue funds is not enough to restore market confidence, he said. […]
more…27 Mar, 2012
Global Peace Groups Launch “Welcome to Palestine” Campaign
Join Land Day events around the world including the global march to Jerusalem (March 30th see http://www.gm2j.org), and then join us (or at least help) in the Welcome to Palestine Campaign *CALL FOR PARTICIPATION* Welcome to Palestine Campaign April 15th-21st, 2012 Palestinian civil society organizations and peace and human rights defenders and activists call on […]
more…27 Mar, 2012
Bethlehem – The Politics of Tourism
At first glance one may presume that Palestine has a booming tourism sector; the vast majority of sites important to Christian pilgrims are located in the area and to the naked eye, places such as Bethlehem are brimming with tourists much of the year round. However, there are many things misleading about this first impression. […]
more…26 Mar, 2012
10 Career Management Lessons From Watching Cricket Maestro Sachin Tendulkar
There are some great lessons to be learnt from the Master Blaster’s life. 1. Nothing is impossible to achieve: That’s what Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th ton tells us. 2. Stay focussed: A career that’s more than 22 years long with 188 tests and 463 one-day matches is indication enough of his phenomenal concentration levels. 3. Do […]
more…26 Mar, 2012
India To Open 11 New Int’l Routes, Rejects Payment of EU Carbon Tax
India has formally served notice that it will not pay the EU carbon tax. The announcement to Parliament by the Indian Minister of Civil Aviation Ch Ajit Singh on March 22 was one of a series of moves by the Indian aviation industry to alleviate the plight of what is now being officially described as […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
Arab Revolutions Will Not End Until The People’s Suffering Ends
CAIRO, 22 March 2012 (AlAhram Online) – The strength of the earthquake that created the Arab revolutions stems from the sufferings of the Arab nation and will not stop so long as those sufferings continue. Therefore we think that democracy or democratic rights in Arab countries are not only necessary but also inevitable. And despite […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
Islamic Bank to Loan Nigeria US$2 Billion for Development Projects
ABUJA, 14 March (IINA) – The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and its affiliates are to provide financing envelop to the tune of $2 billion for the implementation of projects in Nigeria in the following areas: Agriculture, Energy, Transport, Water Supply and Sanitation, Education, and Health. It has also budgeted for this year, the sum of […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
ASEAN Fashion Week in Sarawak In September
KUCHING, Malaysia, March 12 (NNN-Bernama) — Sarawak Tourism Minister Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is confident that the inaugural Asean Fashion Week here on Sept 10-16 this year will place the state in a strong position to promote its unique natural settings, including the indigenous fashion of Borneo, globally. He said Sarawak models would be […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
Etisalat Introduces First 3G Services in Afghanistan
Khaleej Times – 21 March, 2012 – Etisalat, the largest telecommunication company in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and through its arm “Etisalat Afghanistan” has launched the first 3G services in history of Afghanistan. This achievement comes only after four years of the launch of “Etisalat Afghanistan”. The company offers mobile services and ranked […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
More Arabic-speaking Guides Needed in Turkey
ISTANBUL – Anatolia News Agency – The increase in the number of Arab tourists visiting Istanbul in recent years as a result of the development of political relations between Turkey and the Middle Eastern countries has created a need for Arabic-speaking tour guides. Istanbul has the highest number of tour guides in Turkey, with 3,440, […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
Pakistani Youth Shine With “World’s Largest Painting”
LAHORE, 24 March 2012, (Dawn): A group of 1,000 or so students of colleges and universities from all over Punjab on Friday made what they claim to be the world’s largest painting – 41,685 square feet – at the National Hockey Stadium. It is learnt that the previous record of 33,000 square-foot painting had been […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
UN-Backed Disaster Preparedness Package Launched In Indonesia
Jakarta, 22 March 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations and the Government of Indonesia today launched a package of disaster preparedness initiatives to further strengthen the country’s response capacity. The new set of initiatives, launched in Jakarta by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, and government officials, complements the existing National […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
UN Chief Lauds Malaysia’s Poverty Reduction, Urges It To Share Experiences
Kuala Lumpur, UN News Centre (Mar 22, 2012) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended Malaysia for “making great strides” in reducing poverty, adding that the country must share its experiences with the world to enhance development in other nations. “Your experiences can help countries throughout the global South, and I urge Malaysia to look at […]
more…25 Mar, 2012
Exhausted Russian Reporters Plan to Protest Against Protests – RIA Novosti
Russian media employees who are sick and tired of the incessant pro- and anti-government protests in Moscow have set up a Facebook group “Journalists Against Demonstrations” and are planning their own counter-event. via Exhausted Reporters Plan ‘Anti-Demonstration Protest’ | RIA Novosti.
more…25 Mar, 2012
Gallup Poll: Egyptians Sour on U.S., Eye Closer Ties to Turkey, Iran
LOS ANGELES, 23 March 2012 — The majority of Egyptians (56%) now see closer relations with the U.S. as a bad thing for their country, up sharply from 40% in December 2011. Slightly more than one-quarter (28%) say closer relations are a good thing, fewer than say the same thing about Turkey (60%) and Iran […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
Strong Youth Turnout as UN Debates Culture, Conflict and Cohesion
United Nations, March 22, 2012 (Department of Public Information) – Cultural diversity, freedom of thought and mutual understanding formed the bedrock on which the United Nations had been built, and returning to those principles was vital in a world increasingly characterized by extremism and an entrenched fear of the “other”, the General Assembly was told […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
Forbidden No More: Disabled Chinese Youth Transform Forbidden City into City for All
Beijing – A small group of disabled young people in China have made history by using social media to make parts of the ancient Forbidden City of Beijing accessible to people with disabilities for the first time. Congcong Guo is a member of Young Voices China, a global advocacy campaign hosted by Leonard Cheshire Disability: […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
China Wonders Whether U.S. Can “Influence Israel” to Avoid Another War
2012-03-23 – With space for diplomatic solution to nuclear issue narrowing, hopes for peace are pinned on forthcoming talks with Iran. It seems to be a consensus of the US Republican and Democratic parties that the Iran nuclear issue is the most pressing diplomatic concern for the United States at the moment. The George W. […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
Economic Downturn Impact: U.S. Car Purchases Hit, U.K. Shifting from Buying to Hiring
Ramsey, NJ (PRWEB) March 23, 2012 – The U.S. auto industry is likely to become a casualty of high gasoline prices. Persisting high gasoline prices could drive down demand and add to the financial troubles of the already vulnerable auto industry. Further, a sharp slump in auto sales has immense potential to affect the economy […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
Report Claims IPTV can Boost In-room Hotel Entertainment Revenues
DENVER, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — iBAHN, a supplier of IP-based entertainment and information services for the hospitality and meeting industries, today published a whitepaper: IPTV: Delivering a Higher Return on HDTV Investments. It is compiled from research and input from the hospitality industry, and responds to common pain points heard from hotel clients: despite investments […]
more…24 Mar, 2012
China Daily Commentary: U.S. Double Standards On Iran Sanctions
2012-03-23 (China Daily Commentary) — Once again the United States is trying to throw its weight around and impose its unilateral vision on other countries. The US imposed tough new sanctions at the turn of the year, aimed at preventing other countries from importing Iranian oil and conducting transactions with its central bank in a […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
As Thai-India Transport, Trade & Industry Links Grow, So Will the MICE Sector
Keynote Address By M.R. Pongsvas Svasti, Minister of Industry, at the India-Thai Business Association, 29 February 2012 Topic: “Industrial Policy: Road to a Better Future” [Editor’s Note: The following speech clearly outlines the huge potential for increased trade and transport contacts between Thailand and India, which over time will also benefit the two geographically intermediate […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
Human Rights Watch Says Abuses Continue in Strategic Kachin State
BANGKOK, March 20, 2012 – The complexity of the process that will underpin system-change in Burma was further underscored on March 20, 2012 when Human Rights Watch (HRW) unveiled a report about alleged human rights violations in Kachin state, the northernmost state of Burma, strategically bordering China and home to a Chinese-supported hydropower dam that […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
Bangladesh & Entire Region Will Benefit if Myanmar Reforms Progress – Ambassador Kazi Hussain
BANGKOK – The opening up of Myanmar will generate ripple-effect benefits for neighbouring Bangladesh, facilitate linkages between Southeast and South Asia and potentially contribute to the emergence of new development paradigm in the Asian Century, Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Kazi Hussain said. In an interview, Mr. Hussain said the significance of the changes in Myanmar […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
UNESCO Training Course To Help Myanmar Draft New Media Laws
Yangon, (UNESCO Media release) – Myanmar’s Ministry of Information in co-operation with UNESCO recently organized a review workshop on the country’s first draft media laws in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. “Myanmar is now transforming to a democratic society,” said U Ye Htut, Director General of the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division, Ministry of Information […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
New York City an “Epicenter of Systemic Racial Profiling” – South Asian Groups Report
New York, March 22, 2012 – The last ten years have been needlessly difficult for South Asians living in New York. South Asians, and in particular, Sikhs and Muslims, have faced ten years of profiling, ten years of negative encounters with law enforcement and immigration officers. These encounters have left deep scars. Here is how […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
Airlines for America (A4A) Blasts Bid To Double Airport Security Tax
WASHINGTON, March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today called on Congress to consider further efficiency within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – not further taxes on airline passengers as proposed in the fiscal year 2013 budget passed by the House Budget Committee. The budget […]
more…23 Mar, 2012
Australia Relaxes Visa Policies to Draw More Foreign Students
22 March 2012 (Ministry of Immigration & Citizenship) – The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today announced key changes to the student visa program recommended by the Knight Review will commence from 24 March, as part of the government’s commitment to position Australia as a preferred study destination for international students. ‘International […]
more…22 Mar, 2012
Consumers Desert Bank Branches for “Virtual” Banking
NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — New consumer research presented by the consulting firm Novantas at CBA Live 2012 today shows that banking customers increasingly prefer non-branch channels for a range of day-to-day banking transactions, from deposits, to solving service problems. As many as 35% of US banking customers are now “virtually domiciled,” essentially […]
more…22 Mar, 2012
Travellers Prefer Eating at Airports Rather Than In-flight
CHICAGO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — While the airlines may not be making money on food service, airport restaurants are: According to a survey conducted by GO Airport Express, a Chicago-based ground transportation provider, just 2% of travelers say they purchase food on the plane. The company, which provides airport shuttles to and from O’Hare […]
more…22 Mar, 2012
U.S. CEO Pay Up +7% In 2011 Among Early Filers
NEW YORK, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In 2011 median net income increased +17%, while median CEO total compensation only rose +7%, primarily due to a +9% increase in long-term incentive awards. Base salaries increased +3% and bonuses were flat year over year. These findings are based on a study of 100 early filers with […]
more…22 Mar, 2012
Airfare Search Engine Claims U.S. Domestic Flights are Hot, Europe is Not
NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Fly.com™, the airfare search engine, today announced the results of a data study that shows a significant shift in destination preference among travelers flying out of New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston. At the same time, the study identifies dramatic price reductions in the […]
more…22 Mar, 2012
Verizon Report: “Hacktivism” Surged in 2011, Personal Data a “Jackpot”
NEW YORK March 22, 2012, /PRNewswire/– The “Verizon 2012 Data Breach Investigations Report” reveals a dramatic rise of “hacktivism” — cyberhacking to advance political and social objectives. In 2011, 58 percent of data stolen was attributed to hacktivism, according to the annual report released today from Verizon. The new trend contrasts sharply with the data-breach […]
more…21 Mar, 2012
Australians Beam as Asian Demand Makes Their Mines Boom
CANBERRA: The Australian government has passed two separate laws designed to better spread the benefits the country’s mining boom and give 3.4 million pensioners an increase in their income support payments to help meet their cost of living. The cumulative effect of both should help make more Australians richer and spend more money on travelling. […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
U.S.Buyers of Market Research Expect to Spend 3.1% Less in 2012
Austin, TX (PRWEB) March 20, 2012 – The seventh edition of the Annual Survey of Market Research Professionals conducted by MarketResearchCareers among 500 MR professionals reveals market research budgets and the overall market research industry are expected to contract by 3.1% in 2012 compared to the prior year. “The reduced 2012 spending and budgeting outlook […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
Extremist Jewish Settlers Grab More Palestinian Water Sources – UN Report
UN Headquarters, Mar 19 2012 (UN News Centre) – Palestinians have increasingly lost access to water sources in the West Bank as a result of the takeover of springs by Israeli settlers, who have used threats, intimidation and fences to ensure control of water points close to the settlements, according to a new United Nations […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
U.S. Group Backs Surveillance of Muslims, Mosques For “National Security”
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, today sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Holder defending the surveillance tactics used by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) – a strategy that has prevented 14 known terrorist attacks […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
Direct Mail Forecasts Resurrection in 2012 – No Viruses, Scams or Identity Theft
Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) March 20, 2012 – Expenditures for direct mail grew to just over $50 billion in 2011, which was a 4.6% industry increase according to the Direct Marketers Association. The DMA also forecasts that mail sales will continue to rise at a rate of 2.3% over the next two years. AccurateLeads has found […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
Cambodian Railways Project Takes One More Step to Complete “Missing Link”
The Cambodian Railway Project took one more step forward on 16 March with a call for procurement of 1,900 tons of additional rails which will be used to complete the last missing links in preparation for completion of the project by September 2013. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its development partners are providing over […]
more…20 Mar, 2012
Learning the Lessons of Economic Crisis, EU Bids to Regulate “Shadow Banking”
Brussels, 19 March 2012 – So that the EU learns all the lessons from the crisis, it is implementing ambitious regulatory reforms in the financial sector in general and in the banking sector in particular. This will contribute to creating a stronger and sounder financial sector at the service of the real economy. As part […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
Opinion: “Out of That Damned Spot”
There are some things that are true, and will always remain true. One truth is that you cannot create a modern, secular society from a primitive theocracy, controlled by tribal leaders and war lords, infested with corrupt politicians, and drug trafficking thugs. Added to this toxic misery a violate populace of desperately poor, uneducated, hysterics. […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
Ahram Online presents: The Idiot’s Guide to Egypt’s presidential elections 2012
The presidential election will be held in Egypt on 23 and 24 May 2012. If no candidate garners more than half the vote in the first round, the top two candidates will face one another in a runoff on 16-17 June. A new president will be named by 21 June, a timeframe that allows the […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
The Unstoppable Legacy Of The War On Terror By Karen J. Greenberg
Warning signs abound that 2012 will be another year in which, in the name of national security, those rights and liberties are only further Guantanamo-ized and abridged. Most notably, for example, despite the fact that genuinely dangerous enemies continue to exist abroad, there is now a new enemy in our sights: namely, American oppositional types […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
EU Wants China To Start Carbon-Trading Scheme, With Aviation Included
19 March 2012 – The European Union has hinted that it hopes to avoid levying its controversial carbon-emissions tax on flights from China, if Beijing introduces its own carbon-trading scheme to cover aviation. However, the debate is set to continue after China responded by saying that it will take time to set up its own […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
Crystal Cruises Launches Christian Heritage Cruises Around Mediterranean
March 16, 2012 – For its upcoming European season, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises is offering new, interactive ways to explore the rich Christian history of the continent via new Christian Heritage Tours. Travelers cruising to the Mediterranean, Western Europe, or the North Cape will have nine new opportunities to make a pilgrimage, attend mass, contribute to […]
more…19 Mar, 2012
Global UN Executives Face Air-Travel Curbs As Austerity Takes Hold
UN Headquarters, New York – United Nations officials worldwide, who spend an estimated US$73 million annually on air travel, are facing drastic cutbacks in their access to first- and business-class air travel as well as their ability to use frequent flier miles for personal travel. The cutbacks, which run the entire gamut from increased use […]
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