29 Jun, 2015
Let’s cut the useless anti-terrorism condemnations and pose some hard questions
Bangkok — Last week, both the UN World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel & Tourism Council, the two apex bodies of the global travel industry, issued perfunctory condemnations after the spate of attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait and France. That put them on the record as having done their duty to do something. However, the […]
more…27 Jun, 2015
AIIB Constitution ready for signing, projected launch by end 2015
BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Representatives of 57 prospective founding countries of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will meet in Beijing next Monday to sign the constitution of the bank, creating a legal framework for the existence of the entity. “This will be a significant event. The constitution will lay a solid foundation for […]
more…27 Jun, 2015
Progressive Insurance Offers Motorcycle Accident-avoidance Advice as Summer Riding Heats Up
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 26, 2015 — The summer travel season is peak time for passionate motorcycle riders and after a brutal winter, they’re anxious to make the most of every mile. If fact, more motorcycle riders are hitting the road than ever before with new motorcycle sales up more than eight percent through the […]
more…27 Jun, 2015
UnionPay issues report on Chinese outbound travel for summer 2015
Beijing, UnionPay International media release, 2015-06-24 – UnionPay International issued the “Report of 2015 Outbound Tourism Tendency of Summer Vacation” on June 24, which indicates that the outbound tourism of Chinese visitors is characterized with larger gross scale, higher transaction frequency, more scattered destinations and more rational purchase. Regards to the latest tendency of outbound […]
more…27 Jun, 2015
Human Rights: China tells U.S. to put its own house in order
BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — China published a report on the United States‘ human rights situation on Friday, hitting back at U.S. irresponsible remarks about China. The report, titled “The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2014,” was released by the Information Office of the State Council, China’s Cabinet, in response to “the […]
more…26 Jun, 2015
Massive damage to Nepal’s healthcare services has put millions of quake survivors at risk, UN warns
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 25 June 2015 – The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today warned the health of the people who survived Nepal’s twin earthquakes could be at risk if regular services are not urgently rebuilt and restored in a country where 80 per cent of health facilities in the 14 most […]
more…26 Jun, 2015
30 Rising Women Stars Reshaping Food Systems Around the World
By Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank, foodtank.com There are hundreds of women who inspire us at Food Tank. They are entrepreneurs, stewards of the land, business owners, researchers, farmers, and innovators, who are the backbone of the world’s food systems. In fact, on average, women represent 43 percent of the world’s agricultural labor force […]
more…26 Jun, 2015
231 airlines, mostly in Africa, on European Commission’s updated safety-ban list
Brussels, 25 June 2015, European Commission – Press release – Today the European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. All airlines from the Philippines, banned since 2010, have been released from the List and are […]
more…25 Jun, 2015
EU Five Presidents’ Report sets 10-year plan to strengthen Europe’s Economic, Monetary Union
Brussels, 22 June 2015, European Commission – Press release – Today, the five Presidents – European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, together with the President of the Euro Summit, Donald Tusk, the President of the Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, and the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz […]
more…25 Jun, 2015
U.S. card companies raked in $78 bln in processing fees in 2014 – Nilson Report
CARPINTERIA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 24, 2015 — General purpose and private label credit, debit, and prepaid cards generated $5.165 trillion in payments for goods and services in 2014. Processing fees, including interchange paid by U.S. merchants to handle that business, were $78.09 billion, up from $72.44 billion in 2013 when fees were $4.768 trillion, according to […]
more…25 Jun, 2015
U.S. supermarkets fail to fulfill commitments to phase out greenhouse gases – EIA report
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 23, 2015 – Today the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) released a new report exposing leading U.S. retailers such as Walmart, Publix, and Safeway as doing little to meet public commitments to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), some of the most potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), used most commonly in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Beyond […]
more…25 Jun, 2015
Mauritius to join fight against international tax avoidance and evasion
Paris, OECD media release, 24 June 2015 – In line with the international movement towards more transparency and exchange of information, Mauritius has taken a significant step to enhance its exchange of information legal framework and has signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. It is the seventh member of the […]
more…25 Jun, 2015
World Bank Group to provide up to US$500 million for Nepal earthquake recovery
KATHMANDU, June 23, 2015, World Bank media release —The World Bank Group today said it would provide up to half-a-billion dollars to finance the reconstruction of Nepal after devastating earthquakes in April and May killed almost 9,000 people and left many mountain districts of the country in ruins. Subject to the approval of the Bank’s […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
Fast-food diets will propel childhood obesity to 70 million by 2025, warns UN health agency
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 22 June 2015 – Childhood obesity does not arise from lifestyle choices made by the child, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today, stressing that the huge problem, especially in developing countries on the marketing of sugar-rich non-alcoholic beverages, ultra-processed, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. “Childhood obesity can erode the benefits that […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
Thai tourism entrepreneurs invited to apply for global Creative Business Cup competition 2015
Bangkok, 23 June 2015 – Creative Thai entrepreneurs with good business ideas are being invited to apply for a contest that could take them to a global creativity championship in Copenhagen between Nov 17-18, 2015. It is a great opportunity for young Thai tourism professionals to take the concept of “Thainess” to a new level, […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
UN environment agency urges ban on microplastics in cosmetics, personal care products
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 16 June 2015 – Next time you are in the shower using a refreshing exfoliating shower gel, take a moment to check what the scrubbing agents are made of. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), chances are pretty high they are made of tiny plastic beads, and by […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
Nepal: In earthquakes’ wake, UNICEF speeds up response to thwart child trafficking
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 22 June 2015 – At least 245 children have been intercepted from being trafficked and unnecessarily or illegally placed in children’s care homes since the first earthquake hit Nepal almost two months ago, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported. The children’s agency is working with the Government and the […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
India’s Muslim Vice President fair game for attacks by Hindu hate-mongers – Hindustan Times
It is tough being Hamid Ansari: on the one hand you are the vice-president of India, and on the other your ‘patriotism’ is being questioned. The latest controversy surrounding Ansari emerged after BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, in a tweet, questioned the VP’s absence from International Yoga day celebrations at Delhi’s Rajpath. Ironically, Ansari is […]
more…24 Jun, 2015
Cuban authorities seek foreign investment in tourism
HAVANA, June 23 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA)–The business director of the Cuban Ministry of tourism (Mintur), José Daniel Alonso, today said that during the first half of this year, the Cuban tourism grew a 15 percent in terms of international visitors. In particular traditional markets like Germany and France,it grew up to a 25 percent. Currently there […]
more…23 Jun, 2015
Jewish extremists spray anti-Arab racist graffiti, attack Palestinians with rocks
TABARIYA, June 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli extremists Sunday sprayed anti-Arab graffiti on the walls running along a street in Tabariya, while settlers residing in illegal settlements in central Hebron attacked Palestinians with rocks, according to WAFA correspondent. Israeli extremists sprayed racist graffiti on the walls running along a street in Tabariya, inside the 1948 […]
more…22 Jun, 2015
“Tourism must dignify, not diminish our religious heritage” – UNWTO chief at Bethlehem conference
Full text (as prepared for delivery) of opening speech by Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), at the historic International Conference on Religious Tourism, 15 June 2015 – Bethlehem, State of Palestine, on the theme of “Fostering sustainable socio-economic development in host communities” H.E. Dr. Rami Al-Hamdallah, Prime Minister of State of Palestine, H.E. […]
more…22 Jun, 2015
Australia Council puts up A$333,000 to support artists with disability
Canberra, 19 June 2015, ACA media release – The Australia Council for the Arts has invested $333,000 for artists with disability to achieve their artistic ambitions. Australia Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski said 89 applications were received from individual artists and groups for projects and development grants for dedicated disability arts funding delivered through […]
more…22 Jun, 2015
June 24 Bike to Work Day: Pedal for a More Bikeable Region
DENVER, Colorado, June 17, 2015 –(BUSINESS WIRE)–On June 24, 2015 tens of thousands of commuters from across the region will choose two wheels over four to get to work. Hundreds of businesses will host company teams and encourage employees to leave their cars at home. And volunteers from across nine counties in the metro Denver […]
more…21 Jun, 2015
Pacific Island countries to develop cruise strategy
Melbourne, Friday, 19 June 2015 (South Pacific Tourism Organisztion media release) – Pacific Island countries have agreed to develop a Pacific Cruise Tourism Development Strategy 2015-2019 that will assist the development of cruise tourism strategies and assist line ministries, government agencies, donors and development partners to determine appropriate investments in infrastructure and the necessary upgrades […]
more…19 Jun, 2015
Pew Research: Growth from Asia drives surge in U.S. foreign students
June 18, 2015 (Pew Research Cenre) – As the last of this year’s crop of U.S. college graduates march across the stage to receive their diplomas, more of them than ever are likely to be from overseas. In fact, a new Pew Research Center analysis of degrees granted by American colleges and universities shows that foreign […]
more…19 Jun, 2015
Jewish Extremists Set Fire to Historic Church in Galilee
GALILEE, June 18, 2015 (WAFA) – The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish in Galilee, was set on fire at dawn on Thursday by Jewish extremists, which led to injuring two people including a monk, and resulting in considerable damage to valuable property. The fire broke out during the night and was […]
more…18 Jun, 2015
Nominations open for ITU/UN Women GEM-Tech awards to recognise drivers of change
Geneva, 18 June 2015 –Nominations are now open for the annual Gender Equality and Mainstreaming in Technology (GEM-Tech) Awards, a global prize that recognizes outstanding contributions from women and men in leveraging the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to promote gender equality. The awards will be conferred on outstanding people or organizations working […]
more…18 Jun, 2015
Mercure’s survey with a difference: Yes, travel DOES build friendships
AccorHotels media release – Jun 18, 2015 – Focussing on the theme of building friendships in an era of high-velocity technology advances and booming travel, Mercure hotels conducted a survey in collaboration with Institut TNS Sofres[1]. Carried out on a sample of 5,500 individuals from 13 countries, the survey sheds new light on the notion […]
more…18 Jun, 2015
Global Tourism Economy Forum: Macau 2015 charts new dynamics of cultural tourism
June 17, 2015, Macao – The Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), scheduled to take place at the Venetian Macao from 12 to 14 October, 2015, will unveil an innovative world class dialogue on cultural tourism with the theme of “One Belt One Road – Unleashing New Dynamics of Cultural Tourism”. A pre-event […]
more…18 Jun, 2015
EFF Survey Report Ranks Apple, Google, Twitter, and more, on User Privacy Protection
San Francisco, June 17, 2015 (EFF media release) – Our digital lives are leaving data trails through social networking sites, email providers, Internet service providers, and mobile apps. But which companies fight the hardest to protect their customers from government data grabs of this sensitive information? Today, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) released its fifth […]
more…17 Jun, 2015
Thailand’s Muslim-Friendly Destination Strategy Goes Well Beyond Just Tourism
Bangkok – When one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist-majority countries launches a tourism outreach to attract Muslim visitors, it clearly has a much wider significance than just a travel industry development. Although the primary goal of the tourism authorities is to boost visitor arrivals, expenditure and average length of stay, the Thai government is also […]
more…16 Jun, 2015
Global Travel & Tourism now an “Unstoppable Force” – UNWTO chief
Madrid, 16 June 2015 — The global travel & tourism industry is now an “unstoppable force”, generating not just visitor numbers and economic growth but also representing “an effective solution for many of the world’s greatest challenges,” says UN World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General Taleb Rifai in the newly-released UNWTO Annual Report for 2014. The 88-page […]
more…13 Jun, 2015
Oil-price drop opens door for Iran to upgrade tourism sector
Tehran, June 12, IRNA / Iran International Magazine commentary – The fall in oil prices has occurred at different junctures in Iranian history and every time with the falling oil prices, pundits and statesmen have argued that utmost advantage should be taken from the opportunities created as a result. In other words, many executives and […]
more…12 Jun, 2015
Personal Info, Healthcare Data Among Most Exposed Documents Within Cloud Apps – Report
SAN JOSE, Calif., Jun, 09 2015 – (ACN Newswire) – Elastica (www.elastica.net), the leader in Data Science Powered(TM) Cloud Application Security, today released its Q2 2015 Shadow Data Report, providing a data-science powered analysis of hundreds of millions of enterprise files stored and shared within leading enterprise cloud applications. Highlighted in the report are key […]
more…11 Jun, 2015
Australian National Archives records the lifetime horrors of war
Canberra, Australian Government media release, 10 June 2015 – For many Anzacs, the horrors of war didn’t end when they returned home. Ongoing health problems – both physical and mental – often meant unemployment, disability, pain and, if things became unbearable, suicide. The intimate details of such difficulties are preserved in more than 600,000 World War I […]
more…11 Jun, 2015
ITUC Global Rights Index names world’s ten worst countries for workers
Brussels, 10 June 2015 (ITUC OnLine): The Gulf States are among the world’s worst countries for workers’ rights, while workers under European austerity measures endured the starkest deterioration of standards, according to the 2015 Global Rights Index. The ITUC rights index ranks 141 countries against 97 internationally recognised indicators to assess where workers’ rights are […]
more…11 Jun, 2015
Gulf Expat Workers Sent Home $100 Billion in 2014
KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait, June 10 (NNN-KUNA) – Foreigners working in the energy-rich Arab states of the Gulf sent more than $100 billion in remittances to their home countries last year, an economic report showed. The figure was twice as high as remittances in 2010, an indication of strong growth, the head of economic research at […]
more…11 Jun, 2015
Israel bars UN Human Rights Rapporteur, an Indonesian, entry to Palestine
RAMALLAH, June 9, 2015 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, in a press statement Tuesday, condemned Israel decision to deny the United Nations Rapporteur on human rights, Makarim Wibisono, entry into the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT). Describing it as a continuation of the numerous Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, the ministry said this decision […]
more…10 Jun, 2015
RAND Corp Report Puts Multi-Billion $ Value on Israel-Palestine Peace and Tourism
Travel & tourism would be a major beneficiary of peace between Israel and Palestine, contributing a projected $760 million increase in GDP for Palestine and $1.1 billion for Israel over a ten-year 2015-2024 period, according to a study release on June 8 by the RAND Corporation, a prominent U.S. think tank. The study says that […]
more…9 Jun, 2015
China, Russia to deepen “Red Tourism” cooperation
BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) — China will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Russia in making more tourism products, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) said Monday. Tourism authorities of the two countries have agreed to hold promotional activities between June 28 to July 1 in central China’s Xiangtan city, hometown of New China’s founder Mao […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Human Rights Organizations Condemn Sheldon Adelson-Organized Anti-BDS Meeting
By Mondoweiss Editors June 5, 2015 – As organizations committed to freedom, justice, and equality for all peoples in Palestine, Israel, and beyond, we believe the meeting that right-wing billionaire Sheldon Adelson is reportedly holding this weekend in Las Vegas to counter the grassroots boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement is the latest evidence of […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Lecture by the President of India: “Tagore & Gandhi: Do They Have Contemporary Relevance for Global Peace?”
New Delhi, President’s Secretariat, 03-June-2015 — The following is the full text of a public lecture by the President of India, Prof Pranab Mukherjee at Uppsala University, Sweden on the topic ‘Tagore & Gandhi: Do They Have Contemporary Relevance for Global Peace?’ Your Royal Highnesses, Your Excellency Madam Margot Wallstrom, Foreign Minister of Sweden, Your […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
Senior-citizens travel booms in China
BEIJING, (Agencies) 2015-06-08 – When Li Caohua retired in her late 50s, the doctor immediately joined millions of other Chinese seniors and hit the road to see more of her giant country. At the top of her destination list was tropical Hainan island in the south and the ancient villages around her home city of […]
more…8 Jun, 2015
China steps up fight against food waste via carrot-and-stick approach
Beijing (China Daily), 2015-06-02 — As China’s ongoing Clean Your Plate campaign has gained momentum since it began in 2013, many managers of restaurants－especially buffets－say they have consistently been able to meet their goals of stopping food waste. But it hasn’t always been easy. Four guests at the Xiang Wei Qing buffet restaurant in Lanzhou, […]
more…6 Jun, 2015
UN invites world’s seven billion people to become agents of change on World Environment Day
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 June 2015 – With many of the earth’s ecosystems nearing “critical tipping points,” the United Nations invited each of the seven billion people on the planet to mark this year’s World Environment Day by making one change towards a more responsible consumption of resources – “be it refusing to […]
more…5 Jun, 2015
Multinational companies face trust deficit, Trade Union Confederation warns G7
Brussels, 4 June 2015 (ITUC OnLine): Just one in five of people in western economies like France, Germany, the UK and the US agree that corporations can be trusted with their global workforce, according to a new poll commissioned by International Trade Union Confederation. The public opinion poll released on the eve of the G7 […]
more…4 Jun, 2015
Applications invited for Korean Culture and Language Immersion Program
The Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities is seeking applications for participants in the Korean Culture and Language Immersion Program (K-CLIP 2015) to take place from 2 to 15 August at Pusan National University, Busan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea. The main purpose of “K-CLIP 2015” is the enhancement of youth exchange and cultivation […]
more…4 Jun, 2015
Animals live by Mahatma Gandhi’s words, humans don’t, Zoo Director says
Sanya, Hainan Island — Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi is famous for his far-sighted dictum, “There is enough in this world for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed.” While the human race is notorious for ignoring those insightful words, the animal world has it embedded into its DNA. In a wide-ranging interview at the […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Top 10 uncivilized tourist behaviors revealed in Chinese survey
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-06-03 – Henan province’s tourism administration published a list of the “Top 10 uncivilized tourist behaviors” in a recent survey conducted among 173, 215 people. Among those surveyed, more than 158,000 people (91.72 percent) have encountered uncivilized behavior in tourists, 9,834 (5.68 percent) never have, and 4,514 of them did not know what […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Russia to expand EU travel ban list if West increases sanctions
MOSCOW, June 1 (Xinhua) — Moscow is ready to expand its travel ban list of European Union (EU) officials if the West increases its own blacklist of Russian officials, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday. Moscow will cancel its travel ban list as soon as the West does the same, said Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Boost tourism to realise people-centered ASEAN — Malaysian PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia June 2 (NNN-Bernama) — With ASEAN expected to generate a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 trillion (RM11 trillion) by 2017, there is a real opportunity to boost the travel industry and promote intra-region tourism, said Najib Tun Razak. The prime minister said this would enhance appreciation for the respective cultures […]
more…3 Jun, 2015
Australian reports reveal how real estate deals are used for criminal money-laundering
Canberra, (AUSTRAC media release / Travel Impact Newswire) 2 June 2015 – The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre AUSTRAC has released two new reports to help businesses identify money laundering methodologies used through real estate agents and lawyers. Although the reports are designed primarily to help Australian businesses beware of this criminal activity, they […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
China pinpoints Ten Key Sectors to drive economy until 2025
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), May 22, 2015 – China’s State Council unveiled a national plan recently, dubbed “Made in China 2025”. It is the first 10-year action plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power. Miao Wei, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, summarized the main […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
Concern for animal welfare spells end of Guangzhou’s dog meat restaurants
Guangzhou, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2015-05-19 – Many dog meat restaurants are no longer to be found in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Guangzhou Daily reported on Monday. The number of shops offering the controversial meat has declined sharply, mainly due to tightened regulations concerning animal welfare. Guangzhou, where eating dog meat has long been a tradition, launched a campaign […]
more…1 Jun, 2015
Half of Chinese college students seek jobs in second-tier cities: Survey
BEIJING (Xinhua), 2015-05-29 –– This year, more than 7.49 million students will graduate from college, and many have voiced concern about seeking employment in such a saturated, competitive market, a survey published Thursday said. The survey, by an organization under the Youth League Committee of Beijing, said graduate’s expected monthly salary this year was 5,510 […]
more…31 May, 2015
Jewish millionaire buys abandoned church to expand Israeli settlements — Haaretz
TEL AVIV, May 28, 2015 (WAFA) – Recent works to renovate an abandoned church in the southern West Bank are aimed at allowing illegal Jewish newcomers to settle in the site, Wednesday revealed the Israeli daily Haaretz. According to the daily, a non-profit organization controlled by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz is the owner of the […]
more…31 May, 2015
Israel to demolish 14 Palestinian-owned homes in Jordan Valley
JERICHO May 28, 2015 (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities Thursday handed several Palestinian residents eviction and demolition notices of their 14 homes, located in two Palestinian towns in the Jordan Valley area, according to local sources. Israeli forces handed several Palestinians notices notifying them of their intent to demolish their 14 homes. The order gave […]
more…31 May, 2015
Palestinian hotels report 33% drop in guests in Jan-March 2015
RAMALLAH, May 27, 2015 (WAFA) – The number of hotel guests in the first quarter of 2015 was 33% lower than in the first quarter of 2014 and 35% lower than in the previous quarter, said a Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) press release on Wednesday. PCBS said that, during the first quarter of […]
more…31 May, 2015
Will HK’s position as shopping mecca be hurt after mainland’s tax cuts?
HONG KONG, May 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese mainland announced Monday that it will cut import taxes on clothing, cosmetics and some other goods beginning June 1, a move some analysts said might undermine Hong Kong’s position as a shopping mecca. The Ministry of Finance said that it will slash duties by half, on average, on […]
more…31 May, 2015
Seeing green gardens could help boost workers’ productivity, say Aussie researchers
MELBOURNE, May 25 (Xinhua) — Green gardens on city rooftops may not only be good for the environment but boost workers’ productivity too, Australian researchers said on Monday. A University of Melbourne study showed students which took a short 40-second break from a boring task by looking at a green rooftop performed markedly better on […]
more…31 May, 2015
Chinese flock to ‘Morality Bank’ which aims to reward good Samaritans
Changchun, (Xinhua/China Daily), 2015-05-27 – A morality bank in a northeastern Chinese city has seen residents flocking to open accounts that enable them to exchange good deeds for free services. Citizens in Yanji, Jilin province, can accumulate credits with the bank, operated by Danying Community, through tasks such as collecting plastic bags off the streets […]
more…31 May, 2015
U.N. Regional HQ in Bangkok opens Accessibility Centre to support Persons with Disabilities
Bangkok, 28 May 2015, UNESCAP media release – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) today opened a state-of-the-art Accessibility Centre at the ESCAP Conference Centre in Bangkok to support the participation of persons with disabilities in United Nations intergovernmental processes and meetings. In a landmark move to make […]
more…31 May, 2015
Chinese Commentary: Cuba’s removal from “terror list” raises more questions about U.S. credibility
BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) — In Washington, Cuba’s removal from the U.S. list of so-called “state sponsors of terrorism” was hailed as a diplomatic accomplishment. However, while most of the world is willing to see a thaw in U.S.-Cuba ties after more than five decades of enmity, the delisting also raised more questions about the […]
more…30 May, 2015
Winners of European 2015 Natura 2000 Award Winners announced
Brussels, (European Commission media release) 21 May 2015 – The six winners of the 2015 Natura 2000 Awards were announced at a Ceremony in Brussels on 21 May 2015. The six winners include projects from Denmark, Germany, Spain, France and a trans-boundary project that involves nine Danube countries. Winners have been selected for each of […]
more…30 May, 2015
“State of Nature” assessment draws mixed picture for Europe’s habitats and species
Brussels, 20 May 2015, European Commission Press release – The Commission has adopted a new report providing the most comprehensive picture yet on the ‘State of Nature in the EU’. The findings show that the majority of birds have a secure status, and some species and habitats are doing better. Targeted conservation actions have brought […]
more…30 May, 2015
UN meeting examines Role of Social Media in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
ASTANA, 27 May, UN News Centre — The 2015 International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East concluded today, with two panel discussions that explored how social media both hindered and advanced audiences’ acceptance of Israeli-Palestinian narratives, as speakers throughout the day analysed the media’s role in promoting a facts-based discourse about the recent […]
more…30 May, 2015
Event Planner, PR & Advertising Manager amongst Best Jobs for Women in 2015
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Dental hygienist, event planner and public relations manager have been named among the best jobs for women in the new CareerCast report on the Best Jobs for Women, while such STEM jobs as biomedical engineer, statistician and actuary also made the list. “Because technological jobs are such a bedrock of […]
more…28 May, 2015
Third Etihad-funded report counters U.S. airlines’ fiction about job-losses caused by open-sky policies
Abu Dhabi, 28 May 2015 (Etihad Airways media release) -Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will contribute US$2.9 billion to the US economy and support 23,400 American jobs this year, according to new research by the global consultancy Oxford Economics. The study, commissioned by Etihad Airways, projects that by 2020, the […]
more…28 May, 2015
China to invest $900b in Belt and Road Initiative
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn) 2015-05-28 – China has announced plans to boost the Belt and Road trade by creating economic corridors and investing nearly $900 billion in countries along the route. Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said the country is mulling six economic corridors with countries along the Belt and Road trade route to better connect Asia and Europe […]
more…28 May, 2015
North Korea joins the bandwagon, seeks investment for planned tourism zone
PYONGYANG, MAY 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will introduce various preferential policies to attract investment for a planned international tourist zone, officials in charge of the project say. The development of Wonsan-Mt. Kumgang international tourist zone, a key project approved by the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly last June, […]
more…28 May, 2015
Hainan’s first Tourism Development Index shows strong growth momentum
HAIKOU, China, May 25, 2015 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/– Hainan’s tourism authority released an index report on the island’s tourism development over the past five years on May 20th, in an effort to evaluate the development of its tourism industry and provide a reference for potential industry investors. The index report, which is the first of its kind […]
more…27 May, 2015
Bangkok to Bethlehem: UNWTO Conference to Spotlight Biggest Block To Global Travel
An historic conference on Religious Tourism to be organised by the UN World Tourism Organisation between June 15-16 in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ (Peace be upon Him), may facilitate the removal of one of the greatest obstacles to global travel & tourism flows and advance a settlement of one of the world’s thorniest […]
more…25 May, 2015
Chinese Palace Museum to limit daily visitor number to 80,000
BEIJING, (Xinhua) 2015-05-17 – The Palace Museum in Beijing will launch a pilot scheme to limit the daily visitors’ number by 80,000 on June 13, according to the museum’s announcement Sunday. The Palace Museum will also impose a real-name registration system for tickets buying at the same time. All the group tour ticket booking will […]
more…25 May, 2015
Global poor pay the price of crises caused by the uber-rich: Civil Society groups
Bangkok — The global uber-rich who control the vast majority of the world’s wealth are responsible for an equivalent proportion of global problems, while the billions of poor pay the heaviest price, according to a caucus of Asia-Pacific civil society (CSOs) that concluded here on 18 May 2015. Representatives of 125 non-governmental organisations, convening in […]
more…24 May, 2015
China forging ahead with widespread anti-graft drive
BEIJING, 2015-05-24 (Xinhua) – Despite the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of officials across the country, the countercorruption drive is showing no signs of letting up. In the two years of the campaign, the anti-graft watchdog has ousted corrupt officials all the way from low-level “flies” to high-ranking “tigers.” Yu Yuanhui, a member of the […]
more…24 May, 2015
Winners of “One Billion Acts of Peace Hero” Awards Announced
DENVER (PRWEB) May 22, 2015 — The PeaceJam Foundation announced the winners of its One Billion Acts of Peace Campaign Hero Awards. These awards recognize the importance of action in helping to change the world. “One Billion Acts of Peace is creating a new generation of young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their […]
more…24 May, 2015
Golf gains ground amongst Chinese professional women, housewives
Beijing, (China Daily) 2015-05-23 – Shenzhen resident Chen Xing is among the lucky ones whose job is also her passion. The 40-year-old loves playing golf, and is the director of the club member affair department with Shenzhen Golf Association, an non-government organization that aims to promote golf among Shenzhen residents and beyond, and the only […]
more…23 May, 2015
Airlines of Indian Ocean island nations to form alliance
ANTANANARIVO, May 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Airlines in Indian Ocean countries and regions will be grouped in an alliance called “Vanilla Alliance” from June, the foreign ministers of Comoros, La Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles made the decision in Madagascar’s capital. Agreement of the alliance will be signed on June 18 in Madagascar by Air Austral, […]
more…23 May, 2015
Modest global growth set to continue for rest of year, says UN economic report
United Nations, (UN News Centre), 22 May 2015 – A new United Nations report released today says that modest paced global economic growth continues, and predicts a gradual improvement in the situation over the second half of 2015 and into next year. According to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects Update as of mid-2015 […]
more…23 May, 2015
Major banks plead guilty to rigging foreign currency markets
Washington DC, May 20, 2015, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs — Five major banks – Citicorp, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays PLC, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and UBS AG – have agreed to plead guilty to felony charges. Citicorp, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays PLC, and The Royal Bank of […]
more…22 May, 2015
Don Futterman: How to destroy American Jewish support for Israel — Haaretz
By Don Futterman While young minority activists across American college campuses are rejecting Israel and isolating their Jewish classmates, Israel has chosen a government of settlers and religious extremists. Add to that the Jewish community’s ambivalent response to liberal or progressive Jewish students who question Israel’s policies, and we may be creating the perfect storm […]
more…22 May, 2015
On World Day, UN warns global cultural diversity ‘under attack’
Paris, (UNESCO media release) 21 May 2015 – As the planet’s cultural diversity comes under continued attack from militant groups espousing virulent forms of intolerance, the international community must fight back through openness and acceptance of the world’s myriad traditions, the United Nations cultural agency declared today. In a statement marking the World Day for […]
more…22 May, 2015
Second Etihad-funded study dissects U.S. airlines’ open-sky subsidies gibberish
Abu Dhabi, (Etihad Media release) – 22 May 2015 — Despite claims by the Big Three U.S. airlines, the market for air travel from the U.S. to the Indian Sub-Continent has expanded significantly from 2009 to 2014 with U.S. airlines and their European partners actually flying 223,000 more passengers during that period. This is only […]
more…19 May, 2015
Australians lose over $80 million to scams in 2014, mostly via online dating
Canberra (ACCC media release) May 18 news release — The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Targeting Scams Report reveals that 91,637 Australians scam complaints were made to the ACCC last year, with $81,832,793 reported lost. “This Fraud Week, the ACCC is urging consumers to ‘Get smarter with their data’ as stolen personal information underpins almost […]
more…19 May, 2015
China seeks more balanced growth via new Gross Ecosystem Product index
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) May 18, 2015 – Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), is a concept that complements and contrasts with GDP. It puts a price on the natural environment and tells people the value of the products and services that nature offers. Urban GEP is a creation of Yantian district in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province. […]
more…18 May, 2015
U.S. Labour Unions highlight annual income gap: Workers $36,000, CEOs $13.5 million
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 14, 2015 — As Americans rally behind initiatives to raise pay for working families, CEO pay for major U.S. companies has skyrocketed. According to new AFL-CIO Executive PayWatch data, CEO pay increased nearly 16 percent in 2014, while Walmart and the Walton family continue to drive inequality nationwide. The Executive PayWatch website, the […]
more…18 May, 2015
California Forum on Health Effects of Cell Phones and Wireless Technology
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)-May 14, 2015-An Expert Forum on Cell Phone and Wireless Risks will be held at the Commonwealth Club of California on June 22nd from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Co-organized by ElectromagneticHealth.org and Environmental Health Trust, the focus will be on the special risks to children and other vulnerable populations from cell phone and wireless […]
more…18 May, 2015
Gallup Global Survey: U.S. Leadership Loses Ground in Africa, Asia
WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.Gallup.com) May 14, 2015 — Although the leadership of the U.S. earned the highest approval ratings of any major world power asked about in 2014, approval of U.S. leadership dropped to a new low in Africa last year, and tumbling support in Central Asia erased the big gains in the larger Asia region […]
more…17 May, 2015
China opens hotline for the disabled
(Xinhua) BEIJING, May 14 — China opened the 12385 hotline to provide consultation and guidance for disabled people, according to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF). The hotline offers details on disability-related laws, regulations, judicial explanations and department-specific policies as well as guidance on rehabilitation, education, employment, poverty relief and cultural and sports activities, the […]
more…17 May, 2015
Accepting criticism can make your job more enjoyable, research study shows
Montreal, QC (PRWEB) April 25, 2015 – Getting that corner office with the great view might make work life more fun. Getting a raise might make a job more enjoyable. Even better coffee in the break room might make the workday more pleasurable. Here’s something else that will improve our job satisfaction, according to researchers […]
more…17 May, 2015
Aviation, railways to top Chinese PM’s agenda for Latin America
Beijing, (China Daily) May 14, 2015 – China will sign aircraft, currency and agricultural deals during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Latin America next week. In addition, work will start on a feasibility study of plans for a transcontinental railroad project involving China, Brazil and Peru that will link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Li […]
more…17 May, 2015
Israel Blocks Catholic Peace Movement Secretary-General Entry to Palestine
BETHLEHEM, May 16, 2015 (WAFA) – Pax Christi International, a global Catholic Peace movement, deeply deplored Israel’s refusal to grant its Secretary General entry to Palestine to attend the World Assembly and 70th Anniversary Celebrations that took place in Bethlehem on May 13. “Refused entry into Palestine/Israel by the Israeli authorities, José’s absence is a […]
more…16 May, 2015
PATA 2015 events in Leshan and Bengaluru: What India can learn from China
The Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi is in China this week for an official visit. He no doubt will see just how far ahead China is of India on just about every aspect of development. Anyone who travels through the world’s most populous country cannot but be impressed by the smooth highways, well-functioning airports […]
more…16 May, 2015
Chinese Commentary: U.S. needs to work on own human rights record first before blaming others
Beijing, (Xinhua) May 13, 2015 – The United States, a self-proclaimed human rights watchdog, needs to examine itself critically and improve its own human rights record before blaming other countries for their violations. The UN Human Rights Council reviewed the U.S. human rights record Monday and found that the “preacher of human rights” itself was […]
more…15 May, 2015
Arabs strike back: Etihad-funded study exposes US$71.5 bln in U.S. airline subsidies
Abu Dhabi, May 15 (Etihad Airways media release) — Research commissioned by Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has quantified a range of government and court-sanctioned benefits and concessions received by the three biggest US carriers, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines Group, and other airlines with which they […]
more…14 May, 2015
The downside of Myanmar’s tourism boom, and 11 simple tips to stem the rot
Bangkok – Regional and international ecotourism experts are to convene for a May 19-21 conference in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to discuss ecotourism in protected areas. According to the publicity material, topics include using ecotourism to finance nature conservation, transboundary heritage trails and much more! Before reaching for the sky, Myanmar needs to focus on […]
more…13 May, 2015
Risky drinking rising amongst women of higher income, education – OECD report
Bangkok — Changing lifestyles and increasing upward mobility amongst women is leading to a new kind of gender equality — women are becoming just as heavy drinkers as men. A report on harmful alcohol use in the OECD countries, released by the Paris-based organisation on May 12, says, “People with more education and higher socioeconomic […]
more…12 May, 2015
“Tourism is NOT just a holiday”: Indian NGOs blast “flawed” Draft Tourism Master Plan 2015
New Delhi, May 10, Media Release by the Bengaluru-based NGO Equations – A coalition of 35 Indian non-government organisations has blasted the draft national tourism policy 2015 released by the central government as paving the way for a complete privatisation of the country’s tourism industry, with scant regard being paid to the interests of local […]
more…11 May, 2015
Still no ASEAN brand logo at ATM Dubai country pavilions
Dubai – Malaysian Tourism Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz has publicly provided his official commitment to ensure that all ASEAN member countries display the ASEAN logo at their country pavilions at future travel trade shows worldwide. He made this pledge at the Malaysian press conference in his capacity as representative of a […]
more…10 May, 2015
U.S. airlines’ “subsidies” allegations show American corporations cannot be trusted
The U.S. airlines’ dossier pointing fingers at the Gulf airlines over alleged subsidies and anti-competitive actions is so parochial and pathetically flawed that it does not deserve the respectability being showered on it. Indeed, it is a reflection of U.S. corporate hypocrisy, a clear indicator of how the Americans react when they get beaten at […]
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