21 Nov, 2015
First Annual Drone World Expo a “success” – Global skies soon to be full of them
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–November 19, 2015 – JD Events hosted an extremely successful launch of Drone World Expo earlier this week at the San Jose Convention Center. The exhibit hall floor featured 75 exhibiting companies and the event attracted 2,120 commercial drone professionals. The exhibitors responded enthusiastically about their experience at the new trade show […]
more…16 Nov, 2015
Israeli Knesset Pushes Bill to Ban BDS Supporters Entry to Israel
RAMALLAH, November 12, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli Knesset Thursday advanced a bill to ban the entry of individuals who support boycotting Israel. The Knesset announced in a press release that the preliminary reading of the bill was approved with a majority of 55 to 31 votes. The bill was pushed a day after the […]
more…15 Nov, 2015
Tourism Faces Terrorism: Attacks on the Russian Airliner and Paris and What They Will Mean to You!
This month has not been easy for specialists in tourism security. We first witnessed the terrorist bombing of the Russian aircraft causing not only death and destruction to innocent civilians but also a major blow to Egypt’s tourism industry. Friday afternoon, Texas time, the first reports of November 13th terrible attacks in Paris began to come through the newswires. It is still too early to provide […]
more…15 Nov, 2015
Paris attacks: 15 Years of a “War on Terror,” And What Have We Got?
Fifteen years after the terrorist 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, and the trillions, repeat trillions, of dollars spent on security, surveillance and weaponry, sanctions to curb terrorist financing, the regime-change attacks on countries, the biometric fingerprinting and iris-scanning, tighter visa restrictions, airport naked body-scanners, eavesdropping and monitoring of terrorist “chatter”, drone strikes, the […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
Eight Iranian universities among world top universities
Tehran, Nov 10, IRNA – Deputy minister of science, research and technology Hossein Salar-Amoli said on Tuesday that eight Iranian universities are among top 800 universities, as Iran advanced from 16th to 15th position on the survey conducted by the Information Science Institute Universities of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Sharif, Allameh Tabatabaei, Khajeh-Nasir, Elm-o San’at, Fredosi […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
China to become Australia’s biggest international tourism market: report
MELBOURNE, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) — China is expected to overtake New Zealand as Australia’s largest tourism market by 2019-20, according to a report released on Tuesday. Tourism Research Australia said in its 10-year forecast for the nation’s tourism industry that tourism spending is likely to exceed 100 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. The independent research […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
American Express, Airbnb Launch First Booking Experience and Loyalty Program Integration
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–November 03, 2015 – American Express (NYSE:AXP) and Airbnb announce a first-of-its-kind tech integration that enables U.S. Card Members to quickly and seamlessly sign up for Airbnb and book stays at close to 2 million listings around the globe. Starting today, Card Members can create an Airbnb account with their existing americanexpress.com User […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
Energy Security “Pivotal” for Economic Development – Asian Ministers
DOHA, Qatar, Nov 10 (NNN-QNA) – The sixth Asian Energy Ministerial Round-Table, concluded late Monday, with participants unanimously agreeing on significance of energy security, as pivotal for economic development. Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of Electricity and Water, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, headed Kuwait’s delegation to the one-day event. Qatari […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
Most Chinese couples want two children, top health official says
Beijing, 10 Nov 2015, (chinadaily.com.cn) – Most couples in China want to have two children once the national policy allowing a second child is implemented next year, China’s top health authority said Tuesday. Surveys show that married couples between the ages of 20 and 44 want to have an average of 1.93 children, Wang Pei’an, […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
Upcoming Asian Infrastructure Bank will include an ethics integrity department
London (chinadaily.com.cn), Nov 10, 2015 – The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will set up an ethics integrity department and encourage employees to report to stamp out corruption, said Jin Liqun, president-designate of the institution. The bank will launch its first projects in the second quarter of next year, Jin said, adding that projects will focus […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
Spotlight: Saudi Arabia takes measures to cope with low oil prices
RIYADH, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) — Saudi Arabia is feeling the heat of the dropping oil prices, and has been prepared to cut government spending to end decades of the nation’s dependency on oil-made wealth. Although the measures are still waiting to be implemented, the country, which is in the middle of a months-old air war […]
more…14 Nov, 2015
China’s Palace Museum sees a surge of tourists in off-season
BNEIJING (chinadaily.com.cn) 10 Nov 2015 – The number of visitors to the Palace Museum in Beijing has increased by more than 200,000 people in less than a month after the National Day holidays, according to museum on Sunday. In previous years, the Palace Museum regularly saw a huge drop in the number of visitors after […]
more…10 Nov, 2015
ADB, India Sign $273 Million Loan to Improve Rural Roads in Five States
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 9 November 201 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $273 million loan to continue improving rural roads in the states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. The 20-year loan is the third and last tranche of an $800 million financing facility provided […]
more…10 Nov, 2015
Environmental Investigation Agency does not support TPP due to overall threats to environment
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–November 05, 2015 – (Full text of EIA official statement) – The current model of free trade agreements, including the text released today of the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), creates enormous perils for the environment. The race to secure greater access to natural resources and more favorable terms for trade through the existing […]
more…10 Nov, 2015
The World’s Most Successful Islamic Economic Forum, And Why It Works
Kuala Lumpur — The World Islamic Economic Forum, held here between Nov 3-5, has evolved into possibly the most unique and successful festival of business, economics, music, arts, ideas and inspiration in the Muslim world. Having just completed its 11th year, the WIEF has grown ten-fold from a paltry 400 delegates at the inaugural forum […]
more…5 Nov, 2015
UN expert: Curbing civil society spacefor “national security” becoming global trend
NEW YORK (26 October 2015) – United Nations human rights expert Ben Emmerson today urged governments across the world to ensure that the NGO sector be allowed to continue to play an indispensable role in co-ordinated efforts to counter the spread of terrorism. “A functioning civil society is an essential cornerstone of an open society,” […]
more…5 Nov, 2015
European taxpayers fork out another €19m to pay Palestinian salaries, pensions for October
JERUSALEM, November 4, 2015 (WAFA) – The European Union contributed approximately €19.1 million to the payment of October salaries and pensions of over 67,000 Palestinian civil servants and pensioners in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This contribution, which is channelled through the PEGASE[1] mechanism, is being funded by the European Union (€19.0 million) […]
more…5 Nov, 2015
U.N. flags danger of anti-Muslim rhetoric during Myanmar election
(New York, 4 November 2015) UNITED NATIONS PRESS RELEASE — The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Jennifer Welsh, called on the Government of Myanmar to take all possible measures to ensure that the upcoming elections of 8 November are held in a peaceful […]
more…4 Nov, 2015
Corruption feeds and sustains ‘spiralling’ wildlife and forest crime – UN anti-crime chief
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 3 November 2015 – Expressing concern that spiralling wildlife and forest crime – fuelled by corrosive corruption – can impede vital progress of the new global sustainable development agenda, the top United Nations anti-crime official and the head of the global UN–backed treaty on protecting endangered species today urged nations […]
more…4 Nov, 2015
Climate change poses major threat to food security, warns UN expert
GENEVA (3 November 2015) Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) – “Climate change poses severe and distinct threats to food security, and could subject an additional 600 million people to malnutrition by 2080,” warned today the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver. “Increased frequency and intensity of […]
more…4 Nov, 2015
European Travel Commission: Visa reform will reap €114 billion in visitor earnings, create 615,000 jobs
London, 3rd November 2015. The European Travel Commission (ETC), the organisation responsible for promoting Europe as a destination, today called for reform of the way visas are granted to leisure and business travellers and it said the benefit to Europe’s economy could be in excess of €114 billion in export revenue and 615,000 new jobs […]
more…3 Nov, 2015
Rabin’s Death Anniversary: Jews and Travel & Tourism Need Some Soul-Searching
November 4, 2015 – Today marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic day in 1995 when a Jewish fanatic extremist terrorist named Yigal Amir shot dead his fellow Jew, the Nobel Peace laureate Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Also today, at the World Travel Market in London, the International Institute of Peace through Tourism (IIPT) […]
more…1 Nov, 2015
Young Iranian scientists win top German Green talent award
Berlin, Oct 30, IRNA — Two Iranians were among 27 leading young scientists from around the world to win Germany’s 2015 Green Talents Award, according to IRNA. Iranian PhD graduate Dr. Amirhosein Mosavi and PhD candidate Mohammad Moghimi Ardekani were both selected by a high-ranking German jury of experts as up-and-coming international scientists. Mosavi’s expertise […]
more…1 Nov, 2015
Heads of UN and Red Cross Issue Joint Warning: New Definition for “Sustainability” Needed
GENEVA, 31st October, 2015 (WAM)–The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, have issued an unprecedented joint warning about the impact of today’s conflicts on civilians and appealed for urgent and concrete action to address human suffering and insecurity. The two […]
more…31 Oct, 2015
Greatest Fear of Old Age: ‘Who Will Take Care of Me?’ — UBS Investor Watch Report
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 27, 2015 – UBS Wealth Management Americas (WMA) today released its quarterly UBS Investor Watch report, “Unassisted Living,” revealing that the greatest fear among wealthy investors as they age is being a burden to children (42%), trumping fears of surviving on life support (34%) or living in a nursing home (15%). Though […]
more…31 Oct, 2015
New Research Reveals Top 10 Things That Make Women Feel Good
October 30, 2015 LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The average woman will spend up to £31,0001 in her lifetime to feel great, according to new research2. But in the same study2, which was commissioned by Feel Good Contact Lenses (http://feelgoodcontacts.com/information/eye-care.aspx), results prove that it’s the smallest things that make the world of difference to a woman’s confidence and that cost almost next to […]
more…30 Oct, 2015
Americans Worldwide Must Break Silence on Islamophobia to Preserve Constitutional Freedoms
October 28, 2015 – One afternoon last week, while checking email during an Uber ride in Washington, D.C., a message caught my attention. Exclamation points dominated the subject line. I mentally braced myself before opening the message. The email began: “In case you missed it, I want to bring this article to your attention…” The article in question was […]
more…30 Oct, 2015
‘Silence is too often the only safe option left’ – new UN report on sources and whistleblowers
United Nations, (UN News Centre) – 22 October 2015 – Governments and international organizations are failing to ensure adequate protections to whistleblowers and sources of information, according to a new report by the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression. “Countless sources and whistleblowers around the world are intimidated by officials, co-workers, and others, depriving […]
more…30 Oct, 2015
Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil to deliver four talks on how travel & tourism will shape the rising Asian Century
Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil will be delivering four talks in November and December 2015 that will highlight the multi-faceted role of travel & tourism in shaping the rise of the Asian Century. Covering the themes of religious tourism, Islamic travel and the newly-declared UN Sustainable Development Goals, all four will be at […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
At UN, every country votes for Cuba blockade to be lifted, except U.S. and Israel
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 27 October 2015 – In a near-unanimous recorded vote, the General Assembly today adopted, for the twenty-fourth time, a resolution on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba, despite resumptions of relations between the two countries. With all […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
China blacklists 10 travel agencies
BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) — China has named and shamed 10 travel agencies as the country attempts to create a sound environment for tourists, the National Tourism Administration (NTA) said Sunday. The tourist companies, which are based in Yunnan Province, Hainan Province and Shandong Province, have been blacklisted, effective for two years, due to “irregularities.” […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
Accor amongst 11 global firms signing pact to promote inclusion of Persons with Disabilities – UN labour agency
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 28 October 2015 – Eleven major international companies today agreed to promote and include persons with disabilities throughout their operations worldwide in a move the International Labour Organization (ILO) hailed as “not only just a good moral cause” but also “good for business.” In an announcement, ILO said that Accenture, […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
Nepal six months on: A race against winter
(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 23 October 2015) Six months after the devastating earthquakes that shook Nepal in April, shelter and food remain top priorities as winter approaches. With the Government of Nepal, humanitarian partners provided emergency shelter to over 700,000 families, but the effect of the coming harsh cold weather is a concern with many people still without […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
UN rights expert warns of racial profiling of minorities and discrimination in criminal justice systems
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 28 October 2015 – In criminal justice processes worldwide, minorities face discrimination ranging from excessive and sometimes lethal use of force, torture by police, to longer periods of stay in pre-trial detention, discrimination during judicial procedures and biases influencing sentencing, according to the UN human rights expert on minority issues. […]
more…29 Oct, 2015
Buddhists asked to avoid prayer beads and statues made of ivory
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-10-26 – International Buddhists were called upon develop and coordinate ecological protection services as the Fourth World Buddhist Forum wrapped up on Sunday. In a declaration at the closing ceremony, the forum called upon Buddhists worldwide to develop and coordinate international Buddhist charitable services such as disaster relief, poverty alleviation and ecological protection, […]
more…27 Oct, 2015
China opens up 30% of its low-altitude airspace
Beijing, (Global Times) October 19, 2015 – China has opened over a third of its low-altitude airspace, which had been fully controlled, amid the country’s continuing efforts to maximize low-altitude airspace resources. Control over about 33 percent of the low-altitude airspace has been relaxed, said Cai Jun, a senior airspace regulator at the 4th China […]
more…27 Oct, 2015
China plans to raise retirement age
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), October 15, 2015 – The average retirement age in China is under 55, which demonstrates that Chinese people retire the earliest in the world, said a senior official when introducing achievements in employment and social security work during the 12th Five-Year Plan. There will be an average of 1.3 people of […]
more…27 Oct, 2015
Strong El Niño will ‘test’ disaster resilience in hazard-prone Pacific region, UN warns
26 October 2015, SUVA (UNISDR media release) — The Head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Margareta Wahlström, today opened the 2015 Pacific Regional Disaster Resilience Meeting amidst fears that El Niño will result in more extreme weather events across the hazard-prone region of small islands and atolls. Ms. Wahlström said: “These […]
more…27 Oct, 2015
Why does ITB Asia make such a big deal about promoting LGBT travel?
Singapore – ITB Asia has been promoting gay and lesbian travel for a number of years. This year, two sessions were devoted entirely to the subject. As there are far more important markets in the Asia-Pacific, such as senior-citizens and People with Disabilities, which do not get any attention at ITB Asia, a logical question […]
more…26 Oct, 2015
Chinese tourist detained for taking naughty pics on Malaysian beach
(People’s Daily Online) October 23, 2015 – Pictures of several overseas tourists posing nude on Sibuan Island off Semporna have gone viral. Interpol was contacted to help identify the tourists after the police received complaints from the public on Oct.15, 2015. According to Chinanews.com, a Chinese national involved in this incident was detained by the […]
more…26 Oct, 2015
Manila to host First ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference and Awards
Manila, Philippines (PRWEB) October 24, 2015 – The Philippines has been named host of the first ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference and Awards by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF). Headed by capital market regulators from 10 ASEAN jurisdictions, the ACMF has partnered with the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to organize this event promoting […]
more…26 Oct, 2015
Air China’s New Winter/Spring Schedule Makes it First Chinese Airline to Cover All Six Continents
BEIJING, Oct. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Air China’s 2015/2016 Winter/Spring Schedule has come into effect on October 25, 2015. The new schedule features 660 flights per week on average, up about 20% compared with its 2014 counterpart, with 110 international/regional passenger routes to 69 international/regional cities. In particular, with the commencement of the Beijing–Johannesburg and Beijing […]
more…26 Oct, 2015
In pictures: Utter failure of ASEAN’s single-destination brand campaign
Singapore – With just under two months before the integrated ASEAN Community takes effect, the ASEAN tourism sector has proved its utter failure to meet the over-arching goal of building a strong brand image and promoting the region as a single destination. Although the ASEAN countries had the largest collective presence at the ITB Asia […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
ARC Assists U.S. Government to Convict Rogue Travel Agent for Fraud and ID Theft
ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 20, 2015 – Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) announced that the company’s fraud prevention team provided essential information to the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Postal Inspection Service that resulted in the conviction and recent sentencing of Sandra M. White, a former Coloma, Michigan travel agent for fraud and […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
UNICEF hails Myanmar religious groups seeking religious tolerance for sake of country’s children
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 21 October 2015 – In the light of upcoming elections in Myanmar and amid reports of rising religious intolerance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today welcomed a joint statement by the leaders of four main religious groups in the country calling for tolerance and respect of religious freedom as […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
China publishes new rules to boost clean governance amongst party cadres
Beijing, (China Daily) Updated: 2015-10-22 – The Communist Party of China Central Committee has published new rules on clean governance and sanctions for those who violate the Party code of conduct, as the CPC improves the management of its 88 million members. The two new regulations, adopted at a meeting of the Political Bureau of […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
Chinese President pledges stronger support to eradicate poverty by 2020
BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government will enact more support policies to lift the country’s 70 million poor people above the poverty line by 2020, President Xi Jinping pledged on Friday ahead of the 23rd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Addressing the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing, Xi […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
Israeli Army Installs Concrete Roadblocks at Bethlehem Northern Entrance
BETHLEHEM, October 22, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Thursday afternoon installed cement roadblocks at the northern entrance of Bethlehem, said security sources. Israeli forces reportedly installed concrete roadblocks at the sidewalks of Jerusalem-Bethlehem Main Road in the vicinity of Jacir Palace and Paradise hotels at the northern entrance of the city, obstructing Palestinian locals’ movement. […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
Sweeping changes in UK visa rules for Chinese visitors
LONDON, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) — Tourism visas for visitors to Britain from China are to be valid for two years as from 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Wednesday. The extension of the visa period from the current six months is aimed at bringing significant benefits to the British economy by making it easier for […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
Backlash feared: Chinese tourist dies after “forced shopping” brawl in Hong Kong
Hong Kong – (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-10-21 — The shocking death of a mainland tourist in Hong Kong started a war of words between the mainland and the “shopping heaven”, which has climaxed in the virtual space. However, it has become a truly worrying sign in the real world. Despite Hong Kong authorities’ quick action to detain […]
more…23 Oct, 2015
Political failures, lack of hope, at root of latest Israeli-Palestinian violence – UN deputy chief
United Nations, (UN News Centre) – 22 October 2015 – The Israel-Palestine conflict has “once again entered a dangerous phase,” United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told the Security Council today, warning that the latest eruption of violence, rising tensions at holy sites in Jerusalem and the alarmingly vitriolic nature of public discourse in the […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
Japan’s seniors staying fit, strong, for longer, poll finds
Beijing, JIJI Press, Oct 12, 2015 – Physical strength and athletic ability of elderly people in Japan have continued to improve, an annual government survey found Sunday. In the survey, physical and athletic ability of people aged 65-79 was measured with six kinds of exercise, including six-minute walking distance, grip strength and sit-up. By age […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
Japan, Iran ministers agree on bilateral investment pact during Tehran talks
TEHRAN, Kyodo, AFP-JIJI, Oct 13, 2015 – Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Monday struck an agreement on a bilateral investment pact. The two foreign ministers said in a joint news statement that they have agreed to set up a council for Japan-Iran cooperation to discuss a variety of […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
India holds “White Cane Day” to sensitize people on challenges faced by visually challenged people
New Delhi, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 14-October-2015 — Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is organizing White Cane Day on October 15 to sensitize the common man about the challenges being faced by visually challenged people. A week long activities already started on World Sight Day from October 8th 2015 will conclude tomorrow […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
Iran emerges as a new economic power, says head of Indian energy security group
TEHRAN, Oct 18, (NNN-IRNA ) – With sanctions going away, Iran is emerging as a new economic power, Chairman of the Energy Security Group of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Narendra Taneja said in an exclusive interview with IRNA. Removal of Iran’s sanctions would lead to Iran emerging as a […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
200 Jewish terrorist settlers attack unarmed Palestinian village with fire bombs
HEBRON, Palestine, Oct 18 (NNN-MA’AN) – More than 200 Jewish settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Wad al-Haseen and Wad al-Nasara, near the illegal Israeli settlement of Kiryat Arba overnight, in the eastern Hebron district of the occupied southern West Bank, locals and medics said. During the attack, Israeli settlers threw stones and fire bombs […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
China plans fool-proof tax regime to foil multinational corporations by year-end
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-10-13 – A key government draft proposal that will seek to tackle multinational corporations’ tax-avoidance will draw from a latest international tax rule, and is expected to be rolled out by the year-end, a top tax official said. Wang Xiaoyue, vice-director of the International Taxation Department under the State Administration of Taxation, […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
400 million mobile phones become obsolete each year in China
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), October 13, 2015 – “When I bought a new cell phone, it was already obsolete,” a man surnamed Chen said. He works in Shenzhen, southern China, which leads the country’s electronics industry. Chen’s confusion is not an isolated case. Nowadays, with the rapid updating of mobile phones, dealing with abandoned handsets […]
more…19 Oct, 2015
Hi-Tech Meets Hi-Touch At Travel Bloggers Forum In Bangkok
Bangkok – Nearly 600 travel bloggers from all over the world convened in Thailand for the first Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) in Asia between 15-17 October. Amidst the dozens of presentations on harnessing whiz-bang hi-tech tools to make a living out of their passion for writing, it was the high-touch exhibit of traditional Thai arts […]
more…17 Oct, 2015
Black, Palestinian artists and activists affirm solidarity in new video
Jadaliyya , Thursday 15 Oct 2015 — More than 60 leading Black and Palestinian artists and activists are featured in a new video highlighting challenges that both communities are confronting, including militarised policing and the prison industry. The video features Lauryn Hill, Danny Glover, Cornel West, Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Sapphire, Lisa Gay Hamilton, the […]
more…17 Oct, 2015
China approves US$15 bln in infrastructure projects
BEIJING, (Xinhua) 2015-10-15 – China’s top economic planner approved the construction of eight infrastructure projects, with an estimated total investment of 95.3 billion yuan ($15 billion), it announced Thursday. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) authorized plans to build two railways, one in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest and the other linking […]
more…16 Oct, 2015
Systematic discrimination against Rohingyas will trigger regional crisis, ASEAN MPs warn
BANGKOK, 16 October 2015 – Increasingly marginalized and desperate, Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are being forced to flee in ever-greater numbers, exacerbating a regional crisis that ASEAN leaders are woefully ill prepared to cope with, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) warned today. “ASEAN met to discuss the refugee crisis in May, but […]
more…16 Oct, 2015
International Labour Organization tackles “uberization” of work
IRU Press Release, 16 October 2015 – In an unprecedented move, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted a Resolution on Transport Network Companies that underlines their negative impact on job security and working conditions. The resolution was adopted today at an ILO Tripartite Sectoral meeting on Road Transport, attended by governments, workers and employers. Participants […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
Korean casino lures Chinese gamblers with models and C-listers
(People’s Daily Online), October 13, 2015 – A gambling house located on Jeju Island, South Korea is always ablaze with lights even during the daytime. The house is full of gamblers. VIP rooms are located on the second floor for clients with greater stake. Taking advantage of a visa exemption policy for Chinese visitors, casinos […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
Beijing police bust global smuggling ring, $4m wildlife parts seized
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-10-13 – A three-month police investigation has led to the seizure of a large haul of endangered wildlife parts and the disruption of an international smuggling ring, the Beijing Forest Police Bureau announced on Monday. The wildlife trafficking case, which was code-named “May 21”, led to the confiscation of illegal wildlife parts, […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
Israeli Settlers Burn Olive Fields, Attack British Activist near Nablus
NABLUS, October 14, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers Wednesday set fire to large swaths of Palestinian-owned agricultural land near the village of Burin, to the south of Nablus in the West Bank, and injured an international activist while hurling stones at them, according to local sources. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors settlement activities in northern West […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
Polish tourists visiting Iran on rise
Isfahan, Oct 12, IRNA – Polish Senate Speaker Bogdan Borusewicz said on Monday that number of Polish tourists visiting Iran will rise. Borusewicz told Governor General of Isfahan Province Rasul Zargarpur that the number of the tourists from Poland to Iran will enjoy multiple growth if a direct flight becomes operational. He said that Iran […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
Chinese leader stresses urgency of reforming global governance
BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — President Xi Jinping stressed the urgency of strengthening global governance and reforming the global governance system against a backdrop of growing global challenges, according to a Tuesday press release. Reform is about “laying down rules for the international order and international mechanisms” and “deciding in which direction the world will […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
American Express Meetings & Events Forecasts Strong Growth in Global Meetings Activity in 2016
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 13, 2015 — According to the American Express Meetings & Events 2016 Global Meetings Forecast (“the Forecast”), positive economic trends combined with the global expansion of companies will drive continued growth for the meetings industry in 2016. Across all regions, the number of training and internal meetings is expected to experience high […]
more…14 Oct, 2015
FREE Download: GPCI 2015 Report Unveils World’s Most Powerful Cities
TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–October 14, 2015 — The Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, a research institute established by Mori Building, unveiled today the results of its Global Power City Index (GPCI) 2015 report, which ranks 40 global metropolises according to their “magnetism,” or power to attract creative individuals and enterprises from around the world and […]
more…13 Oct, 2015
New beer behemoth a serious threat to global health and sustainable development – IOGT
Stockholm, Swede, 13 Oct 2015 (IOGT media release) — Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller, the two biggest beer producers in the world, have agreed on terms for a gigantic deal to merge both companies. The merger is set to create a beer behemoth responsible for one in three beers sold worldwide. The final AB InBev offer is worth more […]
more…13 Oct, 2015
Anti-TTIP campaigners mobilize to raise awareness of U.S. domination
STRASBOURG, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — Massive demonstrations against the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP) being negotiated between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) reveal deep concerns among European citizens about the economic, social, health, environmental and cultural implications of the proposed agreement. In Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament (EP), […]
more…13 Oct, 2015
India Supports Palestinian Authority Budget with $5M, Announces $17.79M Projects
RAMALLAH, October 12, 2015 (WAFA) – India Monday announced a grant worth of $5 million to support the Palestinian Authority’s budget in addition to five projects worth $17.79 million, in the fields of capacity building and education and signed a MOU on cultural cooperation. According to a press release, President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Chinese tourists spend over $830 m in Japan during Golden Week
Beijing (CRIENGLISH.com/chinadaily.com.cn), 2015-10-11 — Around 400,000 tourists from the Chinese mainland visited Japan and spent nearly 100 billion yen, or around $830 million in shopping during the National Day holiday week from Oct 1-7.Popularly known as the Golden Week, this marks a peak in travel for Chinese tourists. Chinese customers queued up at Japanese malls […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Jewish Fanatics Resume Provocative Visits to Al-Aqsa Compound Amid Growing Tension
JERUSALEM, October 11, 2015 (WAFA) – Jewish fanatics resumed their provocative visits to al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday, despite of an apparently ongoing uprising in the West Bank and Jerusalem districts prompted by Jewish entry to the Islamic holy site. WAFA correspondent said small groups of Jewish settlers entered the compound from the […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Chinese Commentary: West-led Color Revolution in Middle East backfires as refugee crisis worsens
BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — The West-led “Color Revolution” in the Middle East has not only failed to bring peace and stability to the region, but has also eventually backfired as Europe is now struggling to deal with the worst refugee crisis since World War II. An increasing influx of refugees has poured into the […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Finance Minister: China to implement plan for transparent global tax regime in 2016
LIMA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) — Taking up the G20 presidency in 2016, China will advance the implementation of the newly approved Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action plan, said Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei during the on-going World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Lima on Friday. The detailed final version […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Indonesia to prioritise border area development
Kendari, SE Sulawesi (ANTARA News) 11 Oktober 2015 – The government will give priority to the accelerated development of border areas in the next three years, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said. “There are 187 sub-districts or points in border areas categorized as priority locations this year. They are located near the Indonesian borders with […]
more…12 Oct, 2015
Water Bombing Operations to put out forest fires start in Sumatra
JAKARTA, Oct 11 (NNN-CNA) — The combined team from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia has begun water bombing operations to put out the forest fires in south Sumatra. In a statement issued by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on Sunday (Oct 11), a total of seven helicopters and four fixed-wing aircraft are involved in the […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Global travel becoming the ‘normal’ for more Chinese families
Beijing, (China Daily) Updated: 2015-10-01 – Jiang Jing, a 30-year-old from Weinan, a fourth-tier city in Shaanxi province, went to her local city hall early in September to apply for a passport as she planned a trip to The Maldives with her husband the following month. She was surprised to see so many people doing […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Documents of Nanjing Massacre inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of World Register
PARIS – A total of 47 new nominations, including Documents of the Nanjing Massacre from China, are inscribed on the Memory of the World Register by the International Advisory Committee of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, announced Friday UNESCO in a press release. The decision was made during a three day meeting of UNESCO […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Japan, South Korea, Thailand most popular Chinese Golden Week destinations
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2015-10-09 – The number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad has seen a fast-paced rise during the National Day holiday with surrounding countries including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand among the most popular destinations, according the National Tourism Administration (NTA). Data from the Nationwide Tourist Group Services Management System shows that outbound tourists (except […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
China to open 10,000 Confucius Schools nationwide
JINAN, (Xinhua) 2015-10-10 – The Confucius Foundation of China (CFC) plans to open 10,000 Confucius Schools across China to promote Confucius teachings, the CFC secretary-general Wang Daqian said on Saturday at a Confucianism forum. At the fourth Cross-Strait Academic Forum on Confucianism held in Jinan, capital city of East China’s Shandong province, Wang said over […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Renminbi becomes world’s fourth-largest payment currency
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) October 09, 2015 — The Renminbi, or Chinese yuan, has surpassed Japanese yen to become the world’s fourth-largest payment currency, according to a report issued by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT). The rank of the Renminbi has increased by leaps and bounds— in 2012, it ranked 12th. According […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
China launches International Payment System
Shanghai, (People’s Daily Online), October 09, 2015 – China launched the first phrase of the China International Payment System (CIPS) in Shanghai on Thursday, which will provide capital settlement and clearing services for cross-border RMB transactions for domestic and overseas financial institutions. At present, the RMB has become the second largest cross-border payment currency in […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Traditional Chinese Medicine gaining recognition and respect in the West
(China Daily) 2015-10-06 – Traditional Chinese medicine has won more recognition in Western countries in recent years, but the 5,000-year-old medical science still needs a modern interpretation to break into the mainstream Western market. According to the Beijing-based World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, more TCM clinics have opened in the West and more colleges […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Israel’s Culture of Impunity Killed the Oslo Accords – Palestinian leader
RAMALLAH, October 4, 2015 (WAFA) – Secretary-General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, said, ‘Israel’s culture of impunity killed the Oslo concept by tripling the number of settlers, stripping the Palestinian government of its attributes, and implementing various other contravening policies in breach of the agreement.’ In a statement received by WAFA, Erekat […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Nepal: Experts begin post-disaster work at quake-damaged UNESCO heritage sites
United Nations, UN News Centre, 8 October 2015 – International and national experts from the Nepalese Department of Archaeology and an archaeological team from Durham University have begun post-disaster excavation surveys and rescue excavations at earthquake damaged UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. “Creation of risk maps and identification and characterization of […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
Indian President to Visit Palestine for First Time October 12
RAMALLAH, October 7, 2015 (WAFA) – The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee will pay the first ever State visit to Palestine in mid October at the invitation of president Mahmoud Abbas, President of State of Palestine, said a statement issued by the representative office of India to Palestine on Tuesday. During the visit, which […]
more…11 Oct, 2015
EU Ombudsman urges full transparency of meetings with tobacco lobbyists
Brussels, Transparency International EU Office media release, 05 Oct 2015 – Transparency International welcomes the European Ombudsman’s recommendations to increase the transparency of the European Commission’s meetings with tobacco lobbyists. In the recommendations published today, which echo concerns about tobacco lobbying that led to the resignation of Maltese Commissioner John Dalli in 2012, Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly calls […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
Xinjiang to focus on maintaining stability
Beijing (China Daily), October 02, 2015 – Yu Zhengsheng, China’s top political advisor, said on Thursday that long-term stability and security are the top priorities in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. He stressed that counterterrorism will be the focus of the local government’s work.Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
India’s Spiritual Market Enters World of Mobile-commerce with Wheresmypandit app
Mumbai, 7th October, 2015/PRnewswire/- Puja rituals are an integral part of Hindu culture. In order to stand out from numerous startups, currently competing with each other in the spiritual market domain, and to cater to millions of Hindus worldwide, WheresMyPandit has entered the field of mobile-commerce with the launch of its mobile application. Built for […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
Golden Week Chinese Travel Hits 750mln, Equal to Half the Population
Beijing (People’s Daily Online) October 06, 2015 – Transportation statistics in China shows that during the “Golden Week” over 750 million Chinese people are expected to use either railway or highway to travel domestically. This figure accounts for half of the population in China. Chinese Ministry of Transport anticipated some 640 million people use the […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
Organic Merchants Campaign Cuts Out Middle-Man to Get Healthy, Affordable Foods Straight to Average Consumer
Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 06, 2015 – The Organic Merchants team launched their Indiegogo campaign today and is looking to raise a total of $25K to help with the packaging costs for their new line of organic, NON-GMO popcorn. Organic Merchants is a family-owned business that delivers a multitude of different healthy foods at affordable […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
China National Day Holiday: Rural tourism blooms, villagers benefit
BEIJING, Oct. 2, (Xinhua) — While most Chinese are relaxing as part of the week-long National Day holiday, Wang Zaolin is dealing with his busiest time of year. The peak travel week brings floods of city-dwellers to his hotel to seek pastoral pleasures. The rustic hotel in Hongcun, an ancient village in east China’s Anhui […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
China: Old indexes do not present true image of economic growth
Beijing (China Daily) Updated: 2015-09-26 – In response to analysts’ and media questions about the reliability of China’s economic data, a government spokesman said on Friday it is no longer appropriate to use only the old indexes to measure the country’s performance during its rapid transition. This is because, for the first time, the service […]
more…7 Oct, 2015
Palestinians Getting Poorer for Third Year in a Row – World Bank
JERUSALEM, September 29, 2015 – Reduced donor aid, war, suspension of revenue payments and ongoing restrictions by the Government of Israel have had a severe impact on the Palestinian economy. The World Bank economic report to the Ad Hoc Liaison committee (AHLC), a forum of donors to the Palestinian Authority, examines current economic trends and recommends […]
more…6 Oct, 2015
U.S. investors awaiting authorization to enter Iran market
Tehran, Oct 3, IRNA – While US companies, similar to their European and Asian rivals, are eager to invest in Iran’s market, the United States laws prohibit such an access. Masoud Daneshmand, in an opinion piece published by the English-language paper Iran Daily looks into the issue and tells the reader how business ties could […]
more…6 Oct, 2015
Chinese Palace Museum cracks down on visitor misbehavior
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-10-05 – Following a spate of uncivilized behavior related to the tourism market, the Palace Museum has blacklisted 2,500 visitors since June for misbehaving, part of an effort aimed at protecting ancient relics as well as restoring market order by eliminating illegal vendors and ticket scalpers. As the weeklong National Day holiday […]
more…6 Oct, 2015
Israeli Soldiers Kill 13-Year-Old near Bethlehem, Sixth in Two Weeks
BETHLEHEM, October 5, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli soldiers Monday shot dead a Palestinian child during confrontations with youths in the Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem, less than 24 hours after another Palestinian youth was killed by the Israeli army in Tulkarm, according to security sources. Medical sources said 13-year-old Abdul-Rahman Shadi Mustafa was seriously […]
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