6 Jul, 2016
Four UK Muslims detained for days in Israel for trying to visit Al-Aqsa mosque
Jerusalem, (IINA), Sunday 03 Jul 2016 – Four British Muslims including a 10-year-old boy who planned to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque were detained and deported from Israel, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported. The Muslims who were held for several days in an Israeli detention centre were earlier this week removed from a Monarch Airlines flight back […]
more…5 Jul, 2016
On World Day, UN hails cooperatives as drivers of sustainable future
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 2 July 2016 – Cooperatives are an old idea but more relevant than ever as they can be the drivers of a sustainable future, senior United Nations officials said on the International Day of Cooperatives today, urging Governments to create an enabling environment for these groups to thrive and grow. […]
more…5 Jul, 2016
UN rights expert deplores conviction of tax whistleblowers in LuxLeaks trial
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 30 June 2016 – A United Nations independent human rights expert today deplored the conviction of two whistleblowers who revealed how tax avoidance and tax evasion occurred in Luxembourg banks in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. “Whistleblowers are heroes of our time and serve society and human rights,” said Alfred de […]
more…4 Jul, 2016
PayScale Releases New Report “Underemployed: The War on the American Worker”
SEATTLE, Washington, (PRWEB), 29 June 2016 – PayScale, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand compensation data and software, today announced its new report “Underemployed: The War on the American Worker.” The study included data from 962,956 workers collected between 3/21/2014 and 3/21/2016. “There are many economic indicators followed by business and policy leaders to gauge […]
more…4 Jul, 2016
OECD releases guidance to strengthen transparency in int’l tax reporting
PARIS, OECD Press Release, 29 June 2016 – Today the OECD has taken a new step in its continuing efforts to boost transparency in international tax matters with the release of Guidance on the Implementation of Country-by-Country (CbC) Reporting. The OECD/G20 BEPS Project set out 15 key actions to reform the international tax framework and ensure that profits are […]
more…4 Jul, 2016
Dominican Republic, Nauru join the most powerful instrument against offshore tax evasion and avoidance
PARIS, OECD Press Release, 28 June 2016 – Today, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, Mrs Rosa Hernández de Grullón, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to France and Mr John Petersen, Advisor to the Minister of Finance of Nauru, signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters in the presence of Deputy Secretary General […]
more…4 Jul, 2016
The Real “Disruption” is Still to Come: Book Forecasts Fall of the American Empire
In January 2006, one of Asia’s most prominent social activists published a stark warning that a system which allows less than 60 million Americans to vote for a person who gains power to determine, with zero accountability, the fate of the rest of the world, is deeply flawed, deserves to collapse and eventually will. The […]
more…29 Jun, 2016
UN Chief: Closure of Gaza Suffocates Its People, Stifles Economy, Impedes Reconstruction
GAZA, June 28, 2016 (WAFA) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday arrived at Gaza city through Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing, starting his trip to the besieged coastal enclave by delivering a speech to UN staff, said UN Secretary General’s Spokesperson. Ban visited the UNRWA-run al-Zaytoun girls primary school where he addressed staff and students, […]
more…29 Jun, 2016
The biggest global mistake exposed by the Brexit vote is….
Bangkok – The biggest global mistake exposed by the Brexit vote is the fallacious assumption that the rich, famous and powerful know it all. They don’t. Since time immemorial, the content of travel industry conferences and events has remained chock-full of the inevitable top-down approach which assumes that if you are rich, powerful, famous or […]
more…28 Jun, 2016
Brexit – A Victim of the Law of Unintended Consequences
The sense of loss is great. The loss of a country I thought I knew, the loss of a continental union, the potential loss of the United Kingdom as it currently exists. Almost six years living and working abroad in South-East Asia has done nothing to lessen the heartbreak of watching my country unravel. Last […]
more…27 Jun, 2016
Israel, a “democracy,” proposes legislation to gag civil society groups
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 24 June 2016 – Three United Nations human rights experts today urged Israeli lawmakers not to approve the bill that would, in effect, target non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are critical of Government policy. The experts expressed grave concern that the legislation would chill the speech of human rights NGOs by […]
more…27 Jun, 2016
First Int’l Conference on Domestic Violence and Batterer Intervention to be held July 10
Portsmouth NH (PRWEB), June 25, 2016 – The first Association of Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (ADVIP) international conference will be held July 10, 2016 at the Portsmouth Sheraton Hotel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in conjunction with the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Conference. In the aftermath of several highly-publicized incidents involving musicians and sports celebrities, […]
more…27 Jun, 2016
Alcoholism and drug abuse have caused havoc in India and worldwide, says President
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 26-June-2016 – The President of India, Prof Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse today (June 26, 2016) in New Delhi on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and […]
more…27 Jun, 2016
How to make post-Brexit U.K. more attractive to visitors from “developing countries”
The British tourism industry has been quick to identify the silver linings amidst the dark clouds of the Brexit-vote crisis. The UK is being marketed as great value for money due to the plummeting pound. The message is clear: The time is right to visit Britain. I stopped going to the UK five years ago. […]
more…24 Jun, 2016
US Federal Aviation Administration Recognizes Local Authority in New Drone Regulations
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a win for local governments and local decision-making authority, new rules issued this week by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on unmanned aviation systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, recognize that city leaders should play a role in regulating how, when and where drones operate in their communities. The […]
more…24 Jun, 2016
110 Factors That Shaped Thai Tourism
Bangkok – The record-breaking Thai travel & tourism industry is now recognised as the country’s leading economic sector, with enormous growth potential in the years ahead. This achievement did not happen by chance. It is the result of Policies, Products, Promotions and most important, the hard work of great People, especially women, who shaped and […]
more…24 Jun, 2016
Terrorism fears boosting U.S. travel insurance business – Squaremouth report
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The threat of terrorism is not preventing Americans from traveling, but it is prompting travelers to take more precautions. Leading travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth reveals notable trends in travel insurance sales that indicate how travelers respond after a terrorist attack. Is Terrorism Affecting How Americans Travel? More […]
more…23 Jun, 2016
European economy slowly recovering but legacies of crisis remain and new challenges are emerging – OECD Report
Paris, 10 June 2016, OECD Newsroom – The European economy is gradually recovering but further policy action will be required to address unresolved legacies of the global economic crisis that are weighing on growth and major new concerns that have emerged, according to two new OECD reports. The latest OECD Economic Surveys of the European Union […]
more…23 Jun, 2016
Samoa: World Bank aviation project expanded
WASHINGTON, D.C., 6 June 2016, The World Bank News – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$16.62 million credit to the Independent State of Samoa to expand the scope of work under the Samoa Aviation Investment Project, further advancing the objective of improved safety and security of international air transport and […]
more…23 Jun, 2016
Europe is underachieving in the global competition for talent – OECD Report
Paris, 7 June 2016, OECD Newsroom – The European Union should reform its legal labour migration policies to get its fair share of the global talent pool, according to a new report published by the OECD. Europe is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and this requires a coordinated, bold and comprehensive response by Member States. […]
more…23 Jun, 2016
The Beauty of an Alternative Perspective: Einstein on Israel and Zionism
Editor’s Note: The article below was one of the Soul-Searching columns I wrote for the Bangkok Post, published Aug 21, 2011. These columns were gagged by “the newspaper you can trust” in July 2012. I am reproducing it below to help promote an alternative perspective in the travel & tourism industry, which is one of […]
more…22 Jun, 2016
‘Unprecedented’ 65 million people displaced by war, persecution in 2015 – UN
United Nations, 20 June 2016, UN News Centre – The number of people displaced from their homes due to conflict and persecution last year exceeded 60 million for the first time in United Nations history, a tally greater than the population of the United Kingdom, or of Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined, says a […]
more…22 Jun, 2016
Myanmar must address ‘serious’ human rights violations against minorities – UN rights chief
United Nations, 20 June 2016, UN News Centre – Issuing a new report on the situation of minorities in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has urged the Government to take concrete steps to end the “systemic discrimination” and ongoing human rights violations against minority communities, particularly the Rohingya […]
more…22 Jun, 2016
Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
On 13 May 2016, I published a post about Noam Chomsky, Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), describing him as the man who will NEVER be invited to speak at a travel industry convention. Today, this post is about a book that will NEVER be mentioned at a travel industry convention. It […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
ASEAN Character Award 2016 opens for applications
TOKYO, 20 June 2016, (ASEAN secretariat media release) – The ASEAN-Japan Centre has opened the call for applications for the ASEAN Character Award 2016. Content-related companies from ASEAN Member States are encouraged to apply before 22 July 2016. The ASEAN Character Award was established by the ASEAN-Japan Centre and LLP ASEAN Creative Supporters in 2014 […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
China puts squeeze on imported TV shows and remakes
Beijing, (China Daily), June 20, 2016 – China’s media regulator has issued a directive limiting imported TV shows and remakes, aiming to promote domestic originality. Insiders have called for more training of producers. With authorized remakes of foreign TV reality shows gaining popularity in China, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Israel approves $21.3m aid for illegal West Bank settlements
RAMALLAH, 20 June 2016, (WAFA) – The Israeli government, in its weekly meeting on Sunday, approved an additional 82 million shekels (about $21.3m) of aid to illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, according to Israeli media. The funds include 15 million shekels to cover extra security expenses; 10 million shekels for temporary housing and […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
China implements trans-provincial departure tax refund
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), June 20, 2016 – A tourist from Italy bought clothes in the Florentia Village in Tianjin and on the morning of June 17, he smoothly went through customs and got a departure tax refund in the Beijing Capital International Airport. This was the first case of a trans-provincial departure tax refund […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Palestinian Foreign Ministry: Israel has begun annexing settlements
RAMALLAH, 20 June 2016, (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in a statement Monday, that Israel’s recent approval to disburse $21.3m in aid to illegal settlements in the West Bank means that Israel practically started to annex the settlements. It said that, for instance, Israel’s enforcement of the Investment Promotion Law in the West Bank settlements, […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Fastest China-Europe train sets record time of 10.5 days
CHENGDU, 14 June 2016, China Daily — Container trains from China’s Chengdu, Sichuan Province, to Europe will take only ten-and-a-half days to complete a one-way trip, the fastest among China-Europe trains. The 41 trans-continent carriages departed the Southwest China city on June 8 wearing the newly-launched unified logo for China-Europe freights, the “China Railway Express” […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
China’s large passenger aircraft to take flight, trillion-dollar industry clusters will take shape
Beijing, 14 June 2016, People’s Daily Online – China’s independently developed C919 large passenger jetliner will take its first flight later this year and complete the follow-up technical verifications as early as 2017 before being delivered, Economic Information Daily reports on Tuesday. The success of the maiden flight indicates that the domestically produced large passenger aircraft C919 has […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Construction of 55-km, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge making progress
Beijing, 20 June 2016, China Daily – Experts say construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Starting from the Lantau Island in Hong Kong, the Y-shaped bridge will have a total length of about 55 km, including a 6.7 km underwater tunnel and a 23-km […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
World’s first passenger drone may fly over Nevada this year
LOS ANGELES, 19 June 2016, (Xinhua) — The world’s first drone capable of autonomously carrying a person may test-fly in Nevada later this year, the United States, Chinese Aerial technology company EHang Holdings Limited told Xinhua on Sunday. The Chinese company based in China’s southern province of Guangdong and the state of Nevada are trying […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
New global poll: Transition to digital economy must deliver justice and fairness to all workers
21 June 2016 (ITUC OnLine): Technology itself is not a threat to decent work – it is how it is managed and in whose interest that matters, said international labour unions ahead of an OECD Ministerial meeting on the Digital Economy in Mexico. “The digital revolution provides opportunities for decent jobs and quality services if […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Casino baron donated US$1.2 million to fund anti-Muslim hatred in U.S. – Report
WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/20/2016 – Jewish casino baron Sheldon Adelson’s Family Foundation has been identified as one of 33 groups, institutions and individuals which provided or “enjoyed access to” at least US$205 million to “spread fear and hatred of Muslims” in the United States between 2008-13. A report published by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) […]
more…21 Jun, 2016
Now everyone can fly, so why can’t all service sectors? Thai Central Bank chief asks
Bangkok – In a landmark speech on June 17, Mr Veerathai Santiprabhob, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, praised the economic growth generated by open-sky policies and the low-cost airlines in the Greater Mekong Subregion, and asked why all the other service sectors cannot follow suit. Delivering the Keynote Address on “Financial Connectivity in Cambodia, […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
Chinese President’s trip to CEE countries, Central Asia to boost Belt & Road Initiative
BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s upcoming trip to Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE) and Central Asia from June 17 to 24 is expected to significantly boost the Belt and Road Initiative. During his trip to CEE countries as well as Central Asia, two key regions under the framework of the […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
High-speed railway linking Shanghai and Kunming completed
GUIYANG, June 16, 2016, Xinhua– Workers finish the last part track of the high-speed railway linking Shanghai and Kunming in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, June 16, 2016. The whole track laying work of the 2,266 kilometer-long high-speed railway linking Shanghai in east China and Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province was completed on Thursday. […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
Bulletpoint highlights of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016
New Delhi, 15-June-2016 — The Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju released the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 in New Delhi today. This is the first time since independence that an integrated Civil Aviation Policy has been brought out by the Ministry. Speaking on the occasion Mr Raju said that the centre-piece of […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
Security fears to boost Western Europe defence budgets by $50 Billion through 2019, IHS Says
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 16, 2016 – A deteriorating security situation has caused Western European defence budgets to rise for the first time in six years, according analysis released at the Eurosatory defence and security trade show by IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight. Approximately $50 billion will be added […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
Bangkok Bank President urges more local entrepreneurship in Mekong region
Following is the full text of the Keynote Address by Mr Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Bangkok Bank President, at the CLMVT FORUM 2016, on the topic of “Enabling Trade And Investment In CLMVT: The Role Of Banking And Finance In Regional Development”, Thursday, 16 June 2016, Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand It is my great pleasure to […]
more…17 Jun, 2016
Anti-Muslim sentiment in Germany hits record high
Berlin, (IINA) 16 Jun 2016 – The number of Germans with negative attitudes towards Muslims has hit its highest mark yet, Anadolu Agency reported citing the results of a recent study by Leipzig University released in Berlin on Wednesday. Some 50 percent of those surveyed said that they “sometimes feel like a foreigner in their […]
more…15 Jun, 2016
UNWTO, The Netherlands to hold conference on Religious Heritage Tourism
To promote the role of religious tourism as an agent for cultural preservation, peace and understanding is the focus of the agreement undersigned by UNWTO and the Government of The Netherlands. The partnership includes the celebration of a conference on ‘Religious Heritage and Tourism: How to increase religious heritage tourism in a changing society’” that […]
more…15 Jun, 2016
Bali Preparing for Jazz Market by the Sea, 19-21 Aug 2016
Bali, June 2016… Jazz market by the Sea is back for it’s 6th year! As always there’s the best of the Indonesian jazz scene, hotly-tipped emerging talent and exciting cross genre artists, with a programme that truly brings something for everyone. Attracting not just music fans, the festival includes vibrant market stalls showcasing local arts […]
more…14 Jun, 2016
It’s official: Much more growth potential in Merchants of Death than Industry of Peace
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–13 June 2016 – Global defence trade reached a record-breaking $65 billion in 2015, according to the annual Global Defence Trade Report released today by IHS Inc. (NYSE:IHS), the leading global source of critical information and insight. The report examines trends in the global defence market across 65 countries and is based upon 40,000 […]
more…13 Jun, 2016
Airport and Marine Port Security Market to double to US$110.5 billion by 2025 – Report
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 07, 2016 – Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Airport and Marine Port Security Market by Security Technology, by Service (Facility and Asset Management, System Integration, Training and Consulting), by Infrastructure Type, by Region (NA, Europe, APAC, MEA, LA) – Global Forecast to 2025” report to their offering. The airport […]
more…13 Jun, 2016
Increase in Terrorist Activities to Propel Defense Technology Market – Technavio Report
LONDON–June 08, 2016 – As asserted repeatedly by Travel Impact Newswire over the years, terrorist attacks are manna from heaven for the military-industrial complex and the security industry. Both are set to make windfall profits, drive economic growth and create jobs which, of course, will be good for alleviating poverty and meeting the UN Sustainable […]
more…13 Jun, 2016
High-powered Bangladeshi Expo bids to cut travel, trade gap with Thailand
Bangkok – The first Bangladeshi female ambassador in 44 years of diplomatic relations with Thailand has pulled off a hugely successful trade and investment expo designed to help Thai businessmen “take a fresh look” at a rapidly emerging country with huge cost and competitive advantages. Several ministers, chambers of commerce leaders and dozens of businesspersons […]
more…9 Jun, 2016
UN agency announces world’s first illegal fishing treaty now in force
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 June 2016 – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced that a groundbreaking international accord aimed at stamping out illegal fishing went into effect today and is now legally binding for the 29 countries and a regional organization that have adhered to it. “This is a […]
more…9 Jun, 2016
UN unveils first-ever global standard to measure food loss and waste
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 7 June 2016 – A partnership of leading international organizations, including the United Nations, has announced the launch of a first-ever global standard to measure food loss and waste while at the Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) 2016 Summit currently underway in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Food Loss and Waste Accounting […]
more…9 Jun, 2016
Global Trades Union survey: Worst Year for Workers Rights, Free Speech and Democracy
Brussels, 9 June 2016 (International Trade Union Confederation OnLine): Weakening of workers’ rights in most regions is being aggravated by severe crackdowns on freedom of speech and assembly, according to the 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index. Restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, including severe crackdowns in some countries, increased by 22%, with 50 out […]
more…9 Jun, 2016
World Bank loans US$500 million to help Hebei Province, China, cut deadly air pollution
WASHINGTON, June 6, 2016 (World Bank media release) — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a loan of $500 million to help China’s Hebei Province reduce air pollutants. “Hebei has the highest annual average PM2.5 concentration in the Jing-Jin-Ji (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) region. It is also responsible for about 70% of the emissions in […]
more…6 Jun, 2016
ASEAN uses economic analysis to assess anti-competitive practices
Putrajaya, 6 June 2016 (ASEAN media release) – A Regional Workshop on Economic Analysis for Competition Law Enforcement was held on 1-2 June in Putrajaya, Malaysia to discuss the role and scope of economic analysis within the context of Competition Policy and Law (CPL). The workshop serves to highlight the significance of economic analysis in […]
more…6 Jun, 2016
McKinsey report reflects state of denial in travel & tourism
A Mckinsey survey of global corporate chief executives shows that they increasingly see geostrategic instability as a very important business trend impacting on their profitability but do not quite understand what to do about it. The survey by the reputed consultancy company says that the share of executives identifying geopolitical and domestic instability as a […]
more…5 Jun, 2016
Australia urged to raise alcohol taxes, ban alcohol sponsorship in sport
CANBERRA, June 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Australian government should ban alcohol sponsorship in sport, introduce higher alcohol taxes and mandate “lockout laws” to reduce alcohol-related harm, the nation’s largest not-for-profit health provider has said. St Vincent’s Health Australia has released its health “wish list” ahead of the 2016 federal election, and has urged both major […]
more…2 Jun, 2016
Path to happiness lies in good health and a good job, OECD Better Life Index shows
Paris, 31 May 2016, OECD media release – Being healthy and having a good job are two of the most important ingredients associated with subjective well-being, according to the latest data from the OECD’s Better Life Index. It shows life satisfaction is generally highest in Denmark, Norway and other Nordic nations, as well as in […]
more…2 Jun, 2016
Now Available: An Unrivalled hiSTORY of Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism
Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil, the Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism industry’s leading journalist-cum-historian, has curated 36 years of reports, notes, research and interviews into an unrivalled collection of Travel & Tourism hiSTORY. Now available for public presentation via lectures, university courses and/or keynote speeches, this authoritative and compelling collection of STORIES […]
more…1 Jun, 2016
Singapore travel agents association ushers in “next-generation” Executive Committee
Singapore – The newly-reelected President of the National Association of Travel Agents of Singapore (NATAS) has set his sights on fulfilling three major objectives which in fact apply not just to his constituency but the global travel agency community at large. Mr. Devinder Ohri was re-elected NATAS President at the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) […]
more…31 May, 2016
1.7 M Expat Workers in Oman in April 2016
Muscat, May 28 (ONA) —- The total number of expatriate workers in the Sultanate witnessed an increase by the end of April 2016 totaling 1,763,710 workers increasing by 1% when compared with 1,747,097 workers by the end of March 2016. The report issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that expatriate […]
more…31 May, 2016
Hotels Will Lead Global Public Relation Robots Market Through 2020 – Technavio Report
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– May 30, 2016 – According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global public relation robots market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 26% during the forecast period. This research report titled ‘Global Public Relation Robots Market 2016-2020’ provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of […]
more…31 May, 2016
Halal, Vegan Drive Ethical Label Market Projects 5% Growth per Year by 2020
London, 26 May 2015,(Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Global Market Research Company Euromonitor International launched today the new Ethical Labels database, responding to the growing movement towards sustainability, social responsibility and transparency on labels. According to the new research, halal and vegan labels are set to grow by a compound annual growth rate of over 5 percent […]
more…31 May, 2016
Philippines: Peace panels affirm partnership for continuity of Bangsamoro peace process
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 May 2016, (PNA) — The Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels concluded their May 29-30 special meeting in the Malaysian capital with the signing of the Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership of the GPH and MILF in the Bangsamoro Peace Process. In a […]
more…31 May, 2016
New global poll: Corporate greed, corruption fraying trust in democracies
Brussels, 31st May 2016 (ITUC Online): Multinational companies are putting the brakes on global growth with a business model built on low wages according to a new poll from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) released at the OECD Forum in Paris, the annual meeting of high income developed economies. Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, ITUC […]
more…31 May, 2016
ASEAN meeting to monitor effectiveness of competition policy and law enforcement
BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (ASEAN media release) – A Brainstorming Session to Monitor the Effectiveness of Competition Regimes in ASEAN was held on 25-26 May in Bangkok, Thailand. The session is part of the initiative to develop an Assessment Toolkit on Competition Enforcement and Advocacy tailored to the ASEAN context under the ASEAN Competition Action […]
more…30 May, 2016
300+ Stakeholders Convene for Meeting to Broaden Asia-Pacific Tax Collection
JAKARTA, Indonesia, (BUSINESS WIRE), 26 May 2016 – Fiscal officials from 15 Asia-Pacific countries met this week with leading academic specialists and private-sector representatives in Jakarta, Indonesia for the 13th annual “Asia-Pacific Tax Forum.” The meeting, organized by the International Tax and Investment Center (www.iticnet.org), in cooperation with the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance, […]
more…30 May, 2016
Thai Medical agencies join hands to seek herbal cures for cancer
BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – An agreement has been signed by three medical bodies on their cooperation to research and develop cancer drugs from herbal ingredients. Participating in the agreement signing ceremony were heads of the three agencies, which consist of the National Cancer Institute, the Department of Medical Services and the Government Pharmaceutical […]
more…30 May, 2016
Upgraded marketing, training facilities offered to Thai restaurants
Bangkok, 27 May 2016 (PR Department) – The Ministry of Commerce is starting to push for the promotion of the Thai restaurant business as a rising star in the country’s service industry. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that the policy to promote the restaurant business would generate more income for the country. It focuses on […]
more…30 May, 2016
“Indonesians’ assets kept abroad are larger than those at home” – VP Jusuf Kalla
Jakarta (ANTARA News), 29 May 2016 – Indonesia is lagging behind other countries in economic development because of its own wrong policies, not because it lacks capability or potential, Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla said. “If we had not spent too much money on fuel subsidies in the past 10 years, we would have earned […]
more…30 May, 2016
California hails Small Businesses as “economic engines”
SACRAMENTO, Calif., (BUSINESS WIRE), 25 May 2016 -Today, over 20 California governmental agencies, 25 small business organizations and 90 California State Legislators come together to recognize small business owners from across the state for their hard work and success. The annual event honors a few of the millions of small businesses that serve as the […]
more…30 May, 2016
U.S. now seeking ways to quell “excessively long” airport security lines
WASHINGTON, (BUSINESS WIRE), 26 May 2016 – Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today applauded the members of the House Homeland Security Committee for introducing legislation intended to help reduce the excessively long security lines experienced by passengers, particularly at the country’s largest airports. The Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of […]
more…30 May, 2016
91 major reservoirs of India report huge water shortage
New Delhi, Press Information Bureau, 27 May 2016 – The water storage available in 91 major reservoirs of the country for the week ending on May 26, 2016 was 26.816 BCM which is 17% of total storage capacity of these reservoirs. This was 55% of the storage of corresponding period of last year and 79% of storage of average of last ten years. The […]
more…30 May, 2016
Gallup chairman warns universities: Disruption Is Coming
By Jim Clifton GALLUP, 19 MAY 2016 (The Gallup Organization) – Do we need universities anymore? What if they ran out of customers? Google announced it is hiring employees without college degrees, and Ernst & Young made a similar decision in the U.K. last fall. Both organizations see less value in a traditional college degree. […]
more…28 May, 2016
U.S. behind dwindling leftist influence in Latin America: Argentinian Professor
HAVANA, May 13 (Xinhua) — The U.S. government aims to stamp out progressive governments in Latin America with the help of its conservative allies, Argentine political observer Atilio Boron told Xinhua. During a recent conference in Havana, the Harvard-educated professor and author said Washington launched a plan in 2013 to reinstate its influence in Latin […]
more…28 May, 2016
Chinese commentary: ‘Money politics’ erodes US political systems
BEIJING, (Xinhua), May 17, 2016 – With estimated record spending, the 2016 presidential election will be one of the most “money-burning” in the US history, which demonstrated that “money politics” is eroding the US political systems. Bloomberg has predicted that 10 billion US dollars will be spent on the 2016 US election, which has outnumbered […]
more…28 May, 2016
The Price of “Growth”: Asia Pacific Fast Losing its Unique Biodiversity – UNEP report
Nairobi/Bangkok, 22 May 2016 – Despite some progress in tackling growing threats to biodiversity and ecosystems on its lands, forests and waters, Asia and the Pacific is fast losing its unique flora and fauna. The rapid economic growth in the Asia Pacific region, accompanied by increased resource use by a growing urban and middle-class population […]
more…27 May, 2016
China launches app to guide visually disabled
Beijing, (China Daily) 2016-05-18 – A new app connecting millions of visually handicapped people with volunteers was launched in Beijing on Tuesday. The free app, see4me.org, has two channels－one for visually disabled users and one for volunteers. It allows the visually disabled to post requests, such as medical instructions or having mail read to them. […]
more…27 May, 2016
For F&B Managers: Top 12 Ways World Can End Hunger, Stem Environmental Damage from Food Systems
Nairobi, 25 May 2016 (UNEP media release) – A major overhaul of the global food system is urgently needed if the world is to combat hunger, use natural resources more efficiently and stem environmental damage, the International Resource Panel (IRP) says. In its latest report, the IRP – a consortium of 34 internationally renowned scientists, […]
more…27 May, 2016
Forget travel & tourism, here’s where the real money is….
When UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon addressed media at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul on 24 May 2016, he made some shocking revelations about the state of human suffering. About 130 million people have been displaced by wars, conflicts and natural disasters worldwide. The UN needs 245 billion dollars a year to care for them. […]
more…25 May, 2016
First star-rating report of Travel & Tourism press releases launched
Bangkok – Travel Impact Newswire has launched what is claimed to be the first report conferring a star-rating on travel and tourism industry press releases. In a revolutionary effort to “disrupt” the generally low-quality content and structure of industry releases, and force improvements, Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil has set the ball rolling […]
more…21 May, 2016
354 European human rights, church groups, trade unions & political parties call on EU to back right to boycott Israel
The European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCPalestine) issued this Press Release on May 18, 2016 : More than 300 human rights and aid organisations, church groups, trade unions and political parties from across Europe have called on the EU to uphold its legal responsibilities and hold Israel accountable for its violations of […]
more…21 May, 2016
Cvent Reveals 2016 List of World’s Top Meeting Destinations
TYSONS CORNER, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 17, 2016 – Cvent, Inc. (NYSE: CVT), a leading cloud-based enterprise event management company, today revealed its annual list of the top 50 cities for meetings and events in the United States, and the top 25 cities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Asia Pacific (APAC) regions. […]
more…21 May, 2016
Terror Attacks Spark Fears of Veteran Travellers by More than 50%, New Study Shows
ALEXANDRIA Va., May 20, 2016 – The Association of Corporate Travel Executives expresses its condolences to the families of those lost aboard EgyptAir MS804 flight from Paris to Cairo. While the cause remains unknown at this time, this crash will create fear and anxiety to travellers considering the rise in number of terrorist attacks. In a […]
more…21 May, 2016
Faith Matters: Fear-mongering vs. fearlessness
By Jimmy E. Jones 05/20/16 New Haven Register – “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning terror, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” In spite of these eloquent words uttered during his first […]
more…19 May, 2016
Chinese consortium prepares for Singapore-Malaysia rail bidding
Beijing, (China Daily) May 14, 2016 – A Chinese consortium is preparing to bid for the high-speed project linking Malaysia’s Capital Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, a source with China Communications Construction Group said on Friday. The source in Beijing-based CCCG, a major construction enterprise of transportation infrastructure and dredging projects, said that consortium members are […]
more…19 May, 2016
Xinhua commentary: World not safer with the US as its policeman
By CHEN WEIHUA Washington DC., 2016-05-13 (China Daily) – When Elizabeth Trudeau, director of US State Department Press Office, read a statement on Tuesday about a US Navy surface ship “exercising the right of innocent passage” while transiting near China’s Yongshu Reef that day, she said it was to uphold the rights and freedoms of […]
more…19 May, 2016
ADB, Japan-Assisted Project to Promote Tourism Jobs in Mon State, Myanmar
18 May 2016 – YANGON, MYANMAR (ADB media release) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar today signed an agreement for a $3 million grant to support the development of tourism-based micro and small enterprises in Mon state. The grant, from the Japan Fund for […]
more…19 May, 2016
Demonising Muslims in media, avoiding root causes, makes violence more likely, new study shows
PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 2016, (AFSC media release) – Islamophobia is at work in our national media, according to an original content analysis by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a Quaker peace and justice organization. The analysis shows a disturbing narrative link between Muslims and extremism, and then over-represents violent responses to politically motivated conflict. […]
more…16 May, 2016
WTTC Report on Peace & Tourism Wipes Palestine Off the Map
A report issued by the World Travel & Tourism Council to stress the link between tourism and peace has effectively wiped the globally recognised state of Palestine off the map. The serious omission has proved why tourism will never be able to seriously contribute to global peace unless groupings like the WTTC and indeed, many […]
more…13 May, 2016
The leading intellectual who will NEVER be invited to speak at a travel industry summit
Bangkok – He is often referred to as the “world’s leading intellectual.” His name is Prof Noam Chomsky, and Wikipedia describes him thus: “An American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, logician, social critic, and political activist. Sometimes described as “the father of modern linguistics”, Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy, and one […]
more…13 May, 2016
Chinese Commentary: Rising nationalism, growing identity crisis spoil Europe Day
STRASBOURG, May 8 (Xinhua) — Europe Day, celebrated by all European countries annually on May 9, takes place this year around the theme of diversity, a notion often claimed to be at the heart of the European project. This 2016 edition, however, has been spoiled by the rise of nationalists in a European Union (EU) […]
more…13 May, 2016
Post-80s and 90s born first-class passengers surging in China
Beijing, chinadaily.com.cn, 2016-05-06 — China’s post-80s and 90s born have surpassed the 70s to become the major force of first-class and business-class passengers, and the number is still growing, according to the first season report issued by Ctrip on Wednesday. The report shows that among these two kinds of seats takers, those born in 80s […]
more…13 May, 2016
New Data Shows U.S. Female-Headed Households See Higher Levels of Poverty, Hunger
WASHINGTON, 06 May 2016, (BUSINESS WIRE)–Women, particularly single mothers, are disproportionately affected by poverty and hunger, according to a new analysis, Hunger and Poverty among Female-Headed Households, released today by the Bread for the World Institute. “Female-headed households make up just over half of American low-income households with children,” said Asma Lateef, director of Bread for the […]
more…11 May, 2016
More countries commit to tackle tax evasion, avoidance in now “unstoppable movement”
Paris, OECD news release – 11/05/2016 – The OECD and the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes announced today that Bahrain, Lebanon, Nauru, Panama and Vanuatu have now committed to share financial account information automatically with other countries. With these new commitments, 101 jurisdictions around the world have committed to […]
more…11 May, 2016
Israel imposes travel ban on BDS movement co-founder Omar Barghouti
Palestinian BDS National Committee / Mondoweiss — May 10, 2016 – Israel has officially refused to renew the travel document of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement co-founder Omar Barghouti in a move that amounts to a travel ban and is an escalation of its attacks on Palestinian human rights defenders who nonviolently advocate for […]
more…10 May, 2016
Jewish fanatic settlers continue Palestinian land-grabs
JERUSALEM, May 9, 2016 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers on Monday raided and took over a Palestinian-owned home in the Old City neighborhood of Jerusalem, claiming it was their property. Witnesses told WAFA that a group of settlers guarded by policemen broke into a three-storey building owned by local Youzbashi clan. The seized home overlooks the […]
more…10 May, 2016
Hundreds of travel, tourism, aviation companies, consultants listed in Panama Papers disclosure
The travel & tourism industry is set to face a major crackdown by global tax authorities worldwide in the wake of the Panama Papers leaks which show a listing of hundreds of hotels, travel, tourism and aviation companies and individuals. A search of the database by this editor showed 113 companies with “hotel” in their […]
more…9 May, 2016
UN Chief’s Action Plan exposes travel industry’s flawed response to security concerns
A Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism authored by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has exposed how the travel & tourism has long pursued a flawed and imbalanced strategy towards safety & security issues. The Plan also offers some concrete suggestions to “refocus priorities”, presenting a very important challenge to the travel & tourism […]
more…2 May, 2016
Report: Half of older Australians living with disability
Canberra, Australian Bureau of Statistics Media Release, 29 April 2016 – Just over half (50.7 per cent) of Australians aged 65 and over reported living with disability in 2015, compared to one in 8 (12.5 per cent) aged under 65, according to new data published today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). First results […]
more…1 May, 2016
Can The Travel & Tourism Industry Think?
In 1998, Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, Professor in the Practice of Public Policy and Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, published a book called “Can Asians Think?” One review of the book says: “Asia’s economies are poised to surpass those of Europe and North America […]
more…27 Apr, 2016
Australia bans drones at ANZAC day events
Canberra, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, 26 April 2016 — People with drones are being warned not to fly near ANZAC Day ceremonies or marches. Civil Aviation Safety Regulations generally do not allow drones to be flown near or over groups of people or within 30 metres of people. Drones could also pose a safety risk […]
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