4 Aug, 2014
U.N. marks World Breastfeeding Week: Best Investment Mothers Can Make
United Nations, UN News Centre, 1 August 2014 – The best thing a mother can do for her newborn is breastfeed – which does more than help children survive, it helps them to thrive with benefits that last a lifetime, said the United Nations today, kicking off World Breastfeeding Week. “Immediate breastfeeding within the first […]
more…4 Aug, 2014
Iran Rising: 10-year Certification Deal Signed for Vocational Education, Skills Enhancement
Athens, Greece (PRWEB) August 02, 2014 – PEOPLECERT, the global certification organization, and the Iranian Technical & Vocational Training Organization (TVTO), today announced the signing of an agreement which commits the two parties to a 10-year cooperation plan for the elevation of technical skills and vocational education in Iran. Affiliated to the Iranian Ministry of […]
more…4 Aug, 2014
Women Leaders Afraid to Be Seen as ‘Bossy’, Network of Executive Women Town Hall Finds
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 03, 2014 – Almost half of those attending last week’s NEW Executive Leaders Forum say women are afraid to be seen as “bossy.” More than 200 leaders in the mostly female audience shared their opinions at a live Town Hall polling event, July 30 in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. The […]
more…4 Aug, 2014
Interfaith house of prayer to be built in Berlin
Berlin, 02 August 2014 (IINA) – An imam, a rabbi, and a priest start praying together under the same roof. It may sound like the start of a joke, but hopes are high it will become reality in Berlin, The Associated Press reported. The three men are working together to build a common house of […]
more…4 Aug, 2014
UN Chief condemns Israeli deadly attack near UN school as ‘moral outrage and criminal act’
United Nations, UN News Centre, 3 August 2014 – Amidst an ‘appalling’ escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip since the collapse of a brief 1 August ceasefire, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the killing today of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in shelling outside of a United Nations school in Rafah which had been […]
more…3 Aug, 2014
Global Trades Union Call for End to Israeli “Excessive Attacks” on Gaza
Brussels, 31 July 2014 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC is horrified at the rising death toll in Gaza, which is now over 1,200 – the vast majority of them innocent civilians. Destruction of civilian and UN infrastructure in recent days, including schools, hospitals and the territory’s only power plant, will have grave ramifications for the Palestinian […]
more…3 Aug, 2014
Muslim world condemns Dual-Citizen U.S. Jews fighting in Gaza
Rabat, 29/07/2014 – The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) strongly condemned the flow of American Jewish volunteers to Israel to fight alongside Israeli forces attacking Gaza Strip for more than 22 days now by planes, tanks and rockets, brutally killing and injuring hundreds of children, women and elders, and destroying schools, hospitals and […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
July 2014 – The “Tragic Month” the U.N. Fiddled While the World Burned
United Nations, 30 July 2014, Department of Public Information – Although the Security Council should be commended for overcoming divisions and adopting important measures in the face of several grave international crises, it remained clear that Council members were once again unable or unwilling to use their influence to find sustainable political solutions, the representative […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
Next-gen SITA Passport Control Kiosks Helping to Slash Immigration Queues
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 30, 2014–Air transport IT specialist, SITA, which was the first to implement Phase III Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks in the USA, today released a white paper detailing the benefits of the queue-busting technology. The paper shares case study examples which examine the successful implementation of the kiosks at Orlando International Airport (MCO). […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
Survey: The On-line Activities that Americans Most Want to Keep Private
AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)- July 29, 2014 -WP Engine, a SaaS content management platform for websites and applications built on WordPress, announced today the results of its WP Engine Online Privacy Study. The survey was fielded by Harris Interactive to 2,100 Americans adults, and developed by WP Engine using the company’s expertise in content management and […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
Airline Trade Groups File Lawsuit to Protect Passengers from Security Cash-Grab
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2014 (A4A/IATA media release) – Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for leading U.S. airlines, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an international industry trade association representing some 240 airlines or 84 percent of global air traffic, filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
EU-wide logo and “data protection impact assessments” aim to boost use of RFID systems
European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 30 July 2014 – New EU-wide technical standards have been agreed that will help users of smart chips and systems comply with EU Data Protection rules and the Commission’s 2009 recommendation on RFID (see IP/09/740). A “data protection impact assessment” process has also been agreed. Practical effects of these new […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
Delays at Chinese airports see surge in flight insurance
Beijing, (China Daily) July 31, 2014 — Travel agencies have reported brisk sales of flight-delay insurance policies in the past two weeks, especially on routes in the eastern and central parts of China, as a result of an increasing number of flight delays. Ctrip.com International Ltd said on Wednesday that its sales of such policies […]
more…1 Aug, 2014
Travel & tourism in cross-hairs as anti-Israel boycott takes root in Thailand
Bangkok – The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and its commercial, cultural and diplomatic interests, has taken root in Thailand with the strong possibility of expanding across ASEAN and Asia. A preliminary report summarising the status of relations between Thailand and Israel, including an entire chapter devoted to travel and tourism, was […]
more…31 Jul, 2014
British Council Survey: Brits Polite & Friendly but Drink Too Much
London, 29 July 2014, British Council media release – Research by the British Council shows that the UK’s culture and history are our biggest draws in the eyes of the world – but the UK weather and food put the most people off. The research was carried out for the British Council by Ipsos MORI […]
more…31 Jul, 2014
Jews Can No Longer Claim to be a “Compassionate People” – by Rabbi David Seidenberg
Introductory Note by Rabbi Michael Lerner, Director of Tikkun, Network of Spiritual Progressives: Rabbi David Seidenberg, one of the most creative rabbinic voices explicating the Jewish mystical tradition and championing the environment, presents an important Jewish religious perspective on the religious ethical issues raised by Israel’s war in Gaza. Please share these articles with anyone […]
more…31 Jul, 2014
12 Mega-Trends in Focus at Frost & Sullivan Conference in New Zealand
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Mega trends are defined as transformative, global forces that define the future world with their far reaching impact on business, societies, economies, cultures and personal lives. Frost & Sullivan’s report, ‘World’s Top Global Mega Trends To 2025 and Implications to Business, Society and Cultures’ identifies 12 of these trends […]
more…31 Jul, 2014
UN health agency moves to allay travel industry fears over Ebola spread
Geneva, UN News Centre, 30 July 2014 – The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today advised that while travellers should be aware of Ebola, they will not contract the highly-contagious, often fatal disease unless they actually touch someone who is showing active symptoms. “So one can travel,” Gregory Hartl, WHO spokesperson on epidemic diseases […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
11 Takeaways From the Worst Crisis Ever to Hit Thai Tourism
What next for Thai tourism? Will it bounce back from the worst crisis it has faced since the first outbreak of AIDS 30 years ago? Imtiaz Muqbil, one of Asia’s longest serving travel trade journalists, has compiled an in-depth compendium of 11 factors that will change the face of Thailand’s most important service industry, one […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
U.S. Transparent Airfares Act: Is it, or isn’t it?
Is the U.S. Transparent Airfares Act really “transparent”? Depends on which side you are on. On July 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Act. It now goes to the Senate. The same day, Airlines for America (A4A), issued a statement lauding the House. The following day, the American Society of Travel Agents also […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
MH17: Who stands to gain? – by Prof Chandra Muzaffar
Kuala Lumpur, 26 July 2014. — The Russian military has released military monitoring data which challenge allegations circulating in the media pertaining to the MH 17 crash in the Donetsk Region of Eastern Ukraine on July 17 2014. Questions have been raised about Kiev military jets tracking MH 17, Ukrainian air traffic controllers and the […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
Australian Research Shows Children Fare Best in Families With Less Conflict
Canberra, 29 July 2014, New research shows children can have more behaviour problems and difficulties socialising with peers if raised in families with high levels of parental conflict, or with low levels of parental warmth and few shared activities between parents and children. Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews said the research, published today in […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
Gallup Polls: Reports of Alcohol-Related Family Trouble Remain Up in U.S.
PRINCETON, NJ – July 29, 2014, Gallup Polls – More than one in three Americans (36%) say drinking alcohol has been a cause of problems in their family at some point, one of the highest figures Gallup has measured since the 1940s. Reports of alcohol-related family troubles have been much more common in recent decades […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
Britain announces visa reform package in China
Beijing, (Xinhua) 2014-07-29 – The British Home Office on Monday announced a variety of improvements to the visa system in China, including a 24-hour visa service, the expansion of mobile biometrics, and a new service enabling customers to apply for the British and Schengen visa at the same time. The mobile biometric service, which allows […]
more…30 Jul, 2014
US visa delays likely to continue, says embassy in Beijing
Beijing, China Daily, July 29, 2014 – Delays in issuing visas for the United States are likely to persist as the computer problems causing them have not yet been resolved, Nolan Barkhouse, spokesman for the US embassy in Beijing, said on Monday. “Our recordssystem has been experiencing significant performance problems, including outages, since July 19,” he […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Americans Waking Up – Discover That High-Sugar Sodas are Bad for Health
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 28, 2014, Gallup Polls – Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they avoid soda in their diet, while more than half say they avoid sugar. Meanwhile, more than nine in 10 Americans claim they try to include fruits (92%) or vegetables (93%) in their diet — slightly more than said this previously. These […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Survey: Business Travelers Demand Better Day-of-Travel and In-Trip Alerts
July 28, 2014, BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Business travelers crave proactive, personalized communication when they travel, yet most third-party travel providers are falling short, according to a new survey of more than 550 business travelers by FlightView, the day-of-travel information company. “Proactive travel alerts and notifications are a critical element of the business travel experience” “Proactive travel alerts […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Another Expose Report: How U.S. Mass Surveillance is Harming Journalism, Law & Democracy
(Washington, DC) July 28, 2014 (ACLU media release) – Large-scale US surveillance is seriously hampering US-based journalists and lawyers in their work, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union said in a joint report released today. Surveillance is undermining media freedom and the right to counsel, and ultimately obstructing the American people’s ability […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Too much “growth” a cause of frequent plane crashes?
Beijing (People’s Daily Online), July 28, 2014 – July 2014 must be the darkest month in the aviation history. Three air disasters happened in eight days and 465 people were killed. Despite the varying circumstances of each crash, insufficient preventive measures is a common cause of the accidents. Zhang Qihuai, vice-president of Beijing Air Law […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Chinese developers placing bets on casinos overseas
Beijing, (China Daily), July 28, 2014 – Chinese real estate companies are trying to participate in overseas casino projects as the sluggish property market at home is leading to a drop in profits. In the first half of 2014, Jeju Island in South Korea and Queensland in northeast Australia became the most popular destinations for […]
more…29 Jul, 2014
Campaign Launched to Address Work/Life Conflicts of Today’s Families
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) July 28, 2014 – In response to the increasing conflict between work and family life Americans face today, BlogHer, The Center for American Progress and The Huffington Post are teaming up to launch “Make Life Work,” a campaign to raise awareness and promote real solutions to the difficulties faced by families […]
more…27 Jul, 2014
Machinists Demand Apology over Boeing CEO ‘Cowering’ Comment
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 25, 2014 – The President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is calling on Boeing CEO Jim McNerney to apologize to Boeing’s workforce for offensive remarks made during a quarterly earning call with reporters on July 23, 2014. “The heart will still be beating, the employees will still be […]
more…27 Jul, 2014
No Vacation for One in Five U.S. Microbusiness Owners Last Year
WASHINGTON, D.C., Gallup Polls, July 24, 2014 — One in five U.S. microbusiness owners (20%) report not taking any vacation days in the past 12 months, with another 21% saying they took a week or less. These owners are also the most likely to say they will not be vacationing anytime soon — with almost […]
more…27 Jul, 2014
Kunming to join list of 72-hour visa-free cities
(China Daily) 2014-07-25 – Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, is to launch a 72-hour visa-free policy for transit passengers from 51 countries, local authorities said on Thursday. The tourism venue will become the eighth Chinese city to offer such a service, following those such as Beijing and Shanghai. The move is aimed at boosting […]
more…27 Jul, 2014
Indian cultural tour operator calls for Israel boycott at travel shows
An Indian tour operator has initiated a call for a boycott of Israeli stands at international trade shows, starting with the World Travel Mart in London. The move means that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has entered the realm of global travel events and will almost certainly have a deep and lasting impact on their costs, content […]
more…26 Jul, 2014
Thailand’s tourism comeback party in pictures: From protests to parades in six months
Bangkok – The Thai tourism industry pulled off a grand comeback party on July 25, designed to show the world that the kingdom is back to normal, safe and ready to receive visitors again. Blessed with a 35 million baht budget and the benevolence of the gods who kept the skies rain-free, more than 900 […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
New Partners Sign Up for Int’l Telecoms Union Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative
Geneva, 23 July 2014 – The International Telecommunication Union today announces that global healthcare company GSK and Public Health England (PHE) will join Be He@lthy, Be Mobile, an initiative which it leads in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The new partnership and the continued evolution of digital health around the world are being […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
UN Human Rights Council agrees probe into war crimes, U.S. votes “no”
United Nations, UN News Centre, 23 July 2014 – The United Nations Human Rights Council today decided to launch an independent inquiry into purported violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Meeting in an emergency session today, the Council adopted a resolution agreeing to send the […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
Xinjiang’s privately funded railways face uncertain future
URUMQI, July 24 (Xinhua) — Track-laying on the Hongliuhe-Naomaohu Railway, one of the largest privately funded rail projects in China, was just completed in early July, but insiders have already begun to worry about its future. The 435-km-long cargo line, with Xinjiang Guanghui Industry Investment Group Co. Ltd. as a major investor, aims to make […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
The new order of global networks depends on equality and joint governance
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 24, 2014 – Internet governance requires peaceful coexistence and the cooperation of the entire international community, with the goal of building a peaceful, confident, open and cooperative network, through the establishment of a multilateral, transparent and democratic system. During his recent speech to the Congress of Brazil, President Xi Jinping […]
more…25 Jul, 2014
Nobel peace laureates, celebrities call for military embargo on Israel
Palestinian BDS National Committee on July 20, 2014- Israel has once again unleashed the full force of its military against the captive Palestinian population, particularly in the besieged Gaza Strip, in an inhumane and illegal act of military aggression. Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has so far killed scores of Palestinian civilians, injured hundreds and […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
HRW-Columbia Law School report exposes how U.S. created fake “Islamic terrorists”
July 21, 2014 (Washington, DC) –The US Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have targeted American Muslims in abusive counterterrorism “sting operations” based on religious and ethnic identity, Human Rights Watch and Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute said in a report released today. Many of the more than 500 terrorism-related cases […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
China’s RMB as next world currency – four challenges to be faced
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), July 24, 2014 – The Chinese renminbi (RMB) will become the world’s third largest currency after the U.S. dollar and Euro within five years as the country accelerates the promotion of its currency unit. A report by the International Monetary Institute of Renmin University of China and the Bank of Communications, […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
Jewish Voice for Peace Executive Director Calls on World to Act Against Israel
Action Alert The glimmer of hope I have in these dark days is you – our community of members, supporters, and allies standing up all over the world. In the police van with Maia Ettinger, daughter and grand-daughter of Holocaust survivors. The time to act is now. Dear Supporter, Yesterday, I was part of a […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
The positions of global governments on the Israeli attack on Gaza
Editor’s Note: The following is a summary record of statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict made at the 7222nd meeting of the UN Security Council on 22 July 2014. It was distributed by the UN Department of Public Information. United Nations, 22 July 2014, Department of Public Information – Although a ceasefire was critical in ending […]
more…24 Jul, 2014
Chinese wealthy spending more－on property
Beijing, July 23, 2014 (China Daily) — After a slight dip in the Luxury Consumer Price Index last year, it rose by 4 percent in 2014, according to a Hurun Research Institute report released on Tuesday. The LCPI was also 1.7 percent higher than China’s overall CPI released by the National Bureau of Statistics in […]
more…23 Jul, 2014
MH17 & MH370: Can you spot the difference?
The campaign of vilification against Russian President Vladimir Putin over the fatal downing of MH17 has the same ring-tone as that against former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in the lead-up to the 2003 attack on Iraq. That attack, based on the totally fraudulent claim that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, triggered a conflict that […]
more…23 Jul, 2014
World’s First Foresight Encyclopedic Dictionary Available to the Public
(PRWEB) July 23, 2014 – FUTURES, the world’s first Foresight Encyclopedic Dictionary, is now available to the public in both English and Spanish, and plans are in progress for other translations as well. It contains more than 1,000 terms used in futures research and studies. It offers an immersion into the field of foresight, including […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Philippines’ Population Expected To Hit 100 Million On July 27
KALIBO, the Philippines, July 22 (Bernama) — The Philippines’ population is expected to reach 100 million on July 27, Xinhua news agency reported. The Philippine Population Commission (POPCOM) said Tuesday the 100th million Filipino is anticipated to be born that day in one of six provinces under the jurisdiction of the Western Visayas region and […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Global Trades Union: Palestinians must have an independent state
Geneva, 22 July 2014, ITUC media release: With over 500 people in Gaza killed, 80% of them women and children, in a massive escalation of Israel’s assault, an immediate ceasefire and return to the 2012 truce agreement is absolutely urgent. Over 80,000 persons have been forced to flee their homes, with many seeking shelter in […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
FREE Download: 3 in 10 Global Consumers Don’t Trust Retailers With Their Data – Survey
NAPLES, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)-July 22, 2014-A global fraud study of more than 6,100 consumers across 20 countries revealed distrust among global consumers in retailers to protect their data. The new study, “Global Consumers: Concerned and Willing to Engage in the Battle Against Fraud,” is the second in a two-part series conducted by ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
China, Venezuela sign 38 new agreements
CARACAS, July 22 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — Venezuela and China signed 38 new cooperation agreements for the development which open the doors to a new historical stage of exchanges, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said. Maduro announced the construction and assembly of a third Venezuelan satellite with Chinese help and advice. Different joint funds between the two […]
more…22 Jul, 2014
Malaysian CEO Forum 2014 Flags Warning Signs of Looming Financial Crisis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) — Economists and financial experts are predicting an imminent global financial crash, of equal or greater severity than the 1997 crisis, from which Malaysia recovered thanks to incisive policy decisions. The macroeconomic discipline imposed during the 1997 crisis helped Malaysia to weather the 2008 financial turmoil and Malaysia was spared […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
“The Anatomy of a Great Deception” Chosen to Headline 9/11 Truth Film Festival
Detroit, MI (PRWEB) July 18, 2014 – The 9/11 documentary film, “The Anatomy of a Great Deception” received an invitation to headline the 2014 9/11 Truth Film Festival to be held from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, California on September 11 2014. The fast-paced docu-thriller, which has been […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Confucius Institutes blossom across Latin American countries
(China Daily) 2014-07-20 – Thanks to the growing ties between China and Latin American countries in recent years, demand for Chinese-language learning and cultural exchanges has surged in the region, as shown by the expansion of the Confucius Institute. The Confucius Institute, a nonprofit public agency affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education, has built […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Priority boost for development projects at Thai overland borders
Bangkok – Thailand’s border checkpoint areas with Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia are to be prioritised for urgent development in preparation for the Integrated ASEAN Community in 2015, the country’s military chief announced on 18 July. In his nationwide weekly radio/TV broadcast, General Prayut Chan-o-cha Head of the National Council for Peace and Order, said the […]
more…21 Jul, 2014
Israeli soldiers spray sewage-smelling chemical on Manger Street in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, July 20 (NNN-MA’AN) – Israeli forces sprayed homes and shops along Bethlehem’s Manger Street with a foul-smelling chemical on Friday night, following clashes with local youths protesting in solidarity with Gaza. On Friday evening, Israeli forces opened fire on youths in northern Bethlehem with stun grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets, after large marches broke […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
BRICS development bank headquarters in Shanghai bolsters China’s status
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhuanet) — A day after the world’s five largest developing countries picked Shanghai as the headquarters for their new 100 billion US dollar development bank, experts say it will help reinforce China’s central role in the group of five nations known as BRICS. The New Development Bank is designed to fund infrastructure […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
China pledges backing for transcontinental S. American railway project
BRASILIA, July 17, (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart, Dilma Rousseff, vowed here Thursday to cooperate closely on a railway project that runs across the South American continent. In his talks with Rousseff, Xi called upon the two countries to carry out strategic cooperation in high-speed railway construction and make concerted […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Chinese firms to buy 60 aircraft from Brazil’s Embraer
BRASILIA, July 17, (Xinhua) — Two Chinese companies on Thursday signed a deal here with Brazil’s Embraer, a leading aircraft manufacturer, to buy 60 more E190 planes from the Brazilian firm. According to the newly signed deal, Tianjin Airlines and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Leasing will buy twenty E190 aircraft from […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
China’s anti-corruption war: You can run but you cannot hide
BEIJING, July 18, (Xinhua) — One disgraced ex-military chief; one fazed vice chairman of China’s top political advisory body; a handful of crushed vice governors; and close to 30 felled ministerial-level officials. The anti-corruption crusade of China’s current leadership since late 2012 has exposed a long, infamous list of fraudulent high-ranking officials, or “tigers” as […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Russian Defense Ministry statement on the MH Boeing 777 crash
Moscow, 18.07.2014 – The Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation released the following statement in connection with the crash of Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777. “In view of the objective investigation of the air crash of the Boeing 777 that crashed on the territory of Ukraine, it is necessary to conduct thorough investigation with the involvement […]
more…19 Jul, 2014
Alternative Crops Vital to Alleviating Poverty, Combatting Drugs Menace, UN hears
United Nations, Department of Public Information, 15 July 2014 — Organized crime and illicit criminal activity undermined essential institutions like the rule of law and delivery of education and health, the United Nations leading expert on drugs and crime told the Economic and Social Council today. Opening a high-level panel discussion entitled “Sustainable development and […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Thailand chosen for Asian launch of Nelson Mandela Distinguished Lectures
BANGKOK: South Africa launched its Annual Nelson Mandela Distinguished Lecture in Asia by inviting former Thai Prime Minister Mr Anand Panyarachun to deliver the inaugural one at Thailand’s prestigious Chulalongkorn University. South African Ambassador to Thailand Ms Robina Marks initiated the lecture at the University’s Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration on July 18, which […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Dangerous digital mass surveillance must face independent checks and balances – Pillay
GENEVA (16 July 2014) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay warned Wednesday that studies by her office and others have revealed a “disturbing” lack of transparency about governmental surveillance policies and practices, “including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
UN: 67 minutes to take action, inspire change on Nelson Mandela Day
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 17 July 2014 – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be among citizens around the world who will be volunteering 67 minutes of their time on Friday, Nelson Mandela Day, to make a small gesture in solidarity with humanity – one minute for every year of the South African leader’s public […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
UN strengthens safety rules on lead content in infant formula and arsenic in rice
17 July 2014, Geneva (FAO/WHO media release) – UN food standards body the Codex Alimentarius Commission this week adopted new standards to protect consumer health worldwide, including setting out maximum acceptable levels of lead in infant formula and of arsenic in rice. Jointly run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Pew survey finds widespread global opposition to U.S. eavesdropping
July 14, 2014 (Pew Research Centre) – Revelations about the scope of American electronic surveillance efforts have generated headlines around the world over the past year. And a new Pew Research Center survey finds widespread global opposition to U.S. eavesdropping and a decline in the view that the U.S. respects the personal freedoms of its […]
more…18 Jul, 2014
Coup, curfew see Thai visitor arrivals take a 24% hit in June
BANGKOK – Visitor arrivals to Thailand plunged 24% to a low of 1.55 million in June 2014, the worst decline of all months so far this year, thanks to the May 22 military coup and the brief period of night-time curfew that followed. Even Phuket was affected, with arrivals by first point of entry falling […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Shichahai wants college graduates as pedicab drivers – foreigners welcome
(People’s Daily Online) July 16, 2014 – An official pedicab team in Shichahai of Beijing’s Xicheng District is planning to recruit drivers with a college diploma. Male, female, and even foreign candidates can apply for the post. According to a person in charge, the pedicab team is called “Houhai Baye”, referring to eight pedicab drivers […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
What America can do to earn the trust of China
(People’s Daily Online), July 16, 2014 – I am not an “expert” on China. Rather, I am just a reasonably informed elder citizen who is deeply concerned for the welfare of future generations. It is my earnest prayer that China and the United States will successfully find ways to surmount current tensions and old resentments […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
China bus explosion suspect blames gambling debts
GUANGZHOU, (Xinhua) 2014-07-16 – The suspect in Tuesday’s bus explosion in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong province has confessed that he set the vehicle on fire in anger after gambling losses, local police said Wednesday. Police caught the suspect, a 25-year-old man surnamed Ou, in downtown Guangzhou in a raid at 11:47 am on […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Tit for tat: Malaysia To Impose Entry Permit Charge On Singapore Vehicles Entering Johor
JOHOR BAHARU, Malaysia July 16 (NNN-Bernama) — The government has agreed to impose the vehicle entry permit (VEP) charge soon on Singapore vehicles entering Johor, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Announcing this Wednesday, he said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Wahid Omar, who oversees the Economic Planning Unit, had been informed of the […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
After World Cup, more Chinese set to travel to Brazil
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhuanet) — Charmed by the recently ended World Cup and the coming Olympic Games in 2016 in Brazil, more Chinese tourists are interested in visiting the South American nation. According to the Brazilian embassy in Beijing, more than 5,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Brazil during the World Cup. “The real total is […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
“Fight For Your Write” crusade launched to highlight benefits of handwriting
SHELTON, Conn., July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Amid the evolution of smartphones and a decreased focus on writing in U.S. schools, BIC, a leading manufacturer of writing instruments, is introducing, “Fight For Your Write,” a new crusade to energize parents and educators about the importance of writing and its continued benefits for children. “Writing is an […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
UN human rights chief warns of ‘disturbing lack of transparency’ for digital mass surveillance
United Nations, UN News Centre, 16 July 2014 – The top United Nations human rights official today warned of the “disturbing” lack of transparency in governmental surveillance policies and practices, “including de facto coercion of private sector companies to provide sweeping access to information and data relating to private individuals without the latter’s knowledge or […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Call for entries: €200,000 awaits young entrepreneurs with ideas to change the world
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.-July 10, 2014 -(BUSINESS WIRE)–Building on the success of its first Unilever Sustainable Living Young Entrepreneurs Awards in 2013, Unilever once again invites young people worldwide to create and invent practical and innovative solutions to the world’s biggest sustainability challenges and enter them in this year’s Awards. Through the awards, which are open […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
How “acting suspiciously” will become a huge problem for the travel industry
What does an 86-year-old art photographer have in common with a young man with a video game habit? Not just a proclivity for perfectly innocuous hobbies, unfortunately. These days, engaging in either activity can get the FBI on your case. Today, the ACLU and our partners at Advancing Justice–Asian Law Caucus and Bingham McCutchen are […]
more…17 Jul, 2014
Israeli calls for Palestinian blood ring at fever pitch
July 15, 2014 – Concerned humanists may have hoped that when a group of Jewish Israelis confessed to kidnapping and killing Muhammad Abu Khudair, a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem — forcing him to drink gasoline and torching him to death from inside his body — that top Israeli legislators and rabbis would have been horrified […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
Indian Environmentalist Awarded Gandhi Peace Prize: “Economics No Use Without Ethics”
New Delhi, President’s Secretariat, 15-July-2014 – The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee presented the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2013 to Mr Chandi Prasad Bhatt today at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The following is the full text of the President’s speech on the occasion: It gives me immense pleasure in presenting the […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
New PKF Calculator Helps Predict Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenues
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PKF Hospitality Research, LLC (PKF-HR) today announced the release of the “Hotel Occupancy Tax Calculator,” an Excel-based tool that gives local agencies the ability to incorporate objectively developed forecasts into their estimates of future hotel occupancy tax collections. “The calculator helps agencies improve their projections and avoid operational inefficiencies, such as unjustified budget cuts, […]
more…16 Jul, 2014
Xinhua chief: BRICS news organizations must boost their global clout
BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — President Li Congjun of China’s Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday published an article urging news organizations in the world’s leading developing countries to join hands to play a bigger role in international communication. The full text of the article, titled “BRICS news organizations can play a bigger role in international […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Palestinian Human Rights Groups to European Union: Practise What You Preach
Text of Open Letter from Palestinian Human Rights Organizations regarding the EU’s responsibility to stop Israel’s targeting of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip TO: Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Ambassadors of the EU Political and Security Committee Date: 14 July 2014 Your Excellencies, On 8 July 2014, the European Union […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Embraer Releases 20-Year Market Outlook Projecting 6,250 New Jet Deliveries
Farnborough, UK, July 14 , 2014– Embraer has released its Market Outlook 2014-2033 which details the Company’s forecast for deliveries of new 70 to 130-seat jet aircraft over the next twenty years. The report examines the main drivers contributing to air transport growth and reviews projected deliveries by world region. The Market Outlook identifies a […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Online gambling: EC recommends principles to protect consumers
Brussels, 14 July 2014, European Commission Press release – The European Commission has today adopted a Recommendation on online gambling services. It encourages Member States to pursue a high level of protection for consumers, players and minors through the adoption of principles for online gambling services and for responsible advertising and sponsorship of those services. […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
UNICEF: “No child should have to suffer the terrifying impact of such violence”
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on impact of violence on children in Gaza and Israel NEW YORK, 13 July 2014 – Children are bearing the brunt of the worsening violence in Gaza and Israel with at least 33 children killed in Gaza in recent days, and hundreds more injured. No child should have […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
Weapons supply to Israel makes U.S. taxpayers complict in the Gaza carnage – Jewish Voice for Peace
The following letter of appeal was circulated by Jewish Voice for Peace. Dear Supporter, My name is Safa’, I am a mom of three little girls, Zeena, Yasmeen, and Leena. I live in Ramallah but am originally from Gaza. I wrote this letter Sunday night, after a long and bloody day – one of many. […]
more…15 Jul, 2014
BRICS Development bank will help end U.S. dominance of global finance
Washington DC, 2014-07-11 – The BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are expected to pursue a development bank during a summit in Brazil next week. This is in addition to the idea of an Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank that is being mooted by countries in the region. World Bank President Jim Yong […]
more…14 Jul, 2014
Arab-Americans to boycott 2014 Ramadan Break-of-Fast event at White House
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | July 14, 2014 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) will not be attending this year’s government iftars and calls upon members of the Arab and Muslim communities to join us in the boycott, including tonight’s White House Iftar hosted by President Barack Obama, given the government’s condoning of the current slaughter […]
more…13 Jul, 2014
The Handset Holiday – Just 30 Minutes to Book a Break on the Mobile
LEEDS, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)-July 11, 2014 -It used to be something we spent weeks planning, now speedy Brits take less than 30 minutes to book their ‘Handset Holidays’. This summer a tech-savvy one in seven of us will make all our travel plans on the move – using a mobile phone to browse, choose and pay […]
more…12 Jul, 2014
Human rights activists rally in New York to push anti-Israel boycotts
New York, NY, July 9, 2014— As Israel escalated its assault on the Palestinian people, more than 100 human rights activists gathered Monday evening near New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge to mark the 9th anniversary of the July 9, 2005 Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The protestors spoke out […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
World’s poor hardest hit by chronic diseases, says top UN health official
United Nations, UN News Centre, 10 July 2014 – At a high-level review and assessment by the United Nations General Assembly of progress achieved in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, UN World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Margaret Chan today expressed deep concern about projected trends, especially as poor populations, the least able […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
As Mega-Cities Grow, World Is Becoming Over-Urbanised, UN Report Warns
United Nations, UN News Centre, 10 July 2014 – An additional 2.5 billion people are predicted to live in urban areas by 2050, the United Nations today reported, highlighting the need for a successful urban planning agenda and greater attention to be given to smaller cities where nearly half of all people currently reside. “Today, […]
more…11 Jul, 2014
700 Workplace-Violence Deaths a Year in U.S.: Report Flags Ways To Curb the Terror
KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — With an average of 700 workers killed while at work each year, and an estimated 572,000 nonfatal crimes occurring annually in the workplace, no industry is free of the possibility of severe workplace violence. This is a concern that should be addressed by companies nationwide. In their […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Sharp drop in Chinese tourists to Vietnam since May
HANOI, (Xinhua) 2014-07-09 – The number of Chinese visitors to Vietnam increased 34 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2014, but the number has declined sharply since May, a Vietnamese tourism official said on Wednesday. “Although fewer Chinese tourists came to Vietnam in May and June than during the January-April period, Vietnam saw an […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
India issued 15.3mn passports between 2010-14, more coming
New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs, 09-July-2014 – As part of the Passport Seva Project (PSP), a Mission Mode Project, implemented by the Government with a view to comprehensively overhaul passport issuance system, 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been set up and operationalised as extended arms of the existing 37 Passport Offices across the […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Gays join Sikhs, Christians, Jews in protesting U.S. surveillance of Muslim-Americans
Four gay, lesbian and transgender rights groups have signed up on a letter of protest sent by a coalition of 44 civil rights, human rights, privacy rights, and faith-based organizations to U.S. President Barack Obama seeking accountability and full disclosure over the U.S. government’s continued discriminatory surveillance of American Muslims. Agreeing that discrimination on the […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Rich Chinese travellers set sights on overseas game hunting
Beijing, (China Daily) – 2014-07-09 – The number of Chinese going abroad for trophy hunting has grown tenfold in the past five years, as wealthy Chinese travelers increasingly seek out wild and exotic experiences. Scott Lupien, CEO of 52 Safari International Hunting Club, a leading outbound hunting company based in Beijing, said that few people […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Australians drink, smoke less but getting fatter and worry more: study
SYDNEY, July 9 (Xinhua) — Australians are smoking and drinking less but are getting fatter and more anxious, according to a new study released on Wednesday. The study by Roy Morgan Research blames unemployment rates for Australia’s high anxiety. Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine told the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) there has been a […]
more…10 Jul, 2014
Ban says Israel’s construction of West Bank wall violates international law, fuels Mid-East tensions
UNITED NATIONS, (UN News Centre), 9 July 2014 – At a special meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory ruling declaring illegal Israel’s construction of a separation wall in the West Bank, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today called for a halt to the current violence between Israelis and […]
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