25 Apr, 2014
China to further develop village tourism
SANYA, Hainan, April 24 (Xinhua) — Local township and village tourism in China will receive a boost in investment this year, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said on Thursday. Ten thousand villages will become tourism spots and 200,000 households will be turned into farm stay accommodation, Wang said at the opening ceremony of the 2014 […]
more…25 Apr, 2014
Kalidas would have applauded Indian drama epic “Shakuntala” in Karachi
Karachi – It is not often that one gets the privilege of watching an epic drama written by one of India’s most revered poets, Kalidas, in the Pakistani commercial capital of Karachi. I am fortunate to have seen “Shakuntala” performed by some of Pakistan’s young generation of dancers during a festival of arts, culture and […]
more…25 Apr, 2014
US NGO helps Palestinian newlyweds rebuild their home in an occupied, divided land
TUBAS, April 20, 2014 (WAFA) – In any part of the Middle East, Sadeq Subeih’s wedding day would have been just very normal, but with an international intervention, this young Palestinian man’s wedding became more as an international battle. Sadeq, 27, is one of dozens of people who live in Al-Aqaba, a village located on […]
more…24 Apr, 2014
Climate change’s potential impact must drive food production efforts – FAO chief
23 April 2014, Meknès, Morocco/Rome (FAO media release) – Countries need to shift to more sustainable food systems, stepping up action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told participants at the seventh Forum on Agriculture in the Kingdom of Morocco. “Everything we do needs to […]
more…24 Apr, 2014
Food Security, Healthy Oceans Will be Critical for Growing Populations, Summit told
22 April 2014, The Hague/Rome, (FAO media release) – Urgent coordinated action is needed to restore the health of the world’s oceans and secure the long-term well-being and food security of a growing global population. That is a key message of an international summit that opens today in The Hague, the Netherlands. Ministers and senior […]
more…24 Apr, 2014
China-Europe railway relaunches
WUHAN, April 23 (Xinhua) — A freight train on Wednesday began a journey from central China’s key city of Wuhan to Poland’s Lodz, restarting the Wuhan-Xijiang-Europe rail route after it was suspended for technical reasons. Its 15-day journey will pass along the Silk Road economic belt through major cities in central and northwest China, Kazakhstan, […]
more…24 Apr, 2014
Indian embassy reverses visa denial after eminent Muslim professor protests
Bangkok – The Indian Embassy in Thailand has reversed the rejection of visas for four family members of one of Thailand’s best-known Muslim academics after the professor dispatched a strong letter of protest, along with a demand for an explanation. Asst. Prof. Dr. Imtiyaz Yusuf, Director of the Center for Buddhist-Muslim Understanding, College of Religious […]
more…24 Apr, 2014
Sydney migration agent jailed for fraud
Canberra, 23 April 2014 (Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection media release) – The Federal Government said that the jailing of a former migration agent for immigration fraud sent a strong message to the industry that fraudulent and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated. Ms Xiao Ying Wu (known as Amy Wu), was based […]
more…23 Apr, 2014
Free Download: ADB report Outlines Impact of Shifting Global, Asian Landscapes
MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 22 April 2014 (ADB media release) – Shifting relations between Asian countries and the changing global economy mean that Asia needs to strengthen its economic cooperation, says the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asian Economic Integration Monitor released today. “Asia needs stronger cooperation now more than ever,” said Iwan J. Azis, Head of ADB’s […]
more…23 Apr, 2014
Hotel group COO: Why no travel advisories against U.S.?
BANGKOK – The COO of the Bangkok-based Minor Hotel Group, owner/operator of more than 100 hotels across Thailand and the Asia-Pacific, has demanded to know why there are no travel advisories against the United States in spite of the numerous shootings in its public places. In remarks during a panel discussion at the Thailand Travel […]
more…23 Apr, 2014
China’s frugality policy slows catering industry to 20-year low
Beijing, 2014-04-21, (China Daily) – China’s catering industry registered its slowest growth in 20 years in 2013 as the country’s anti-corruption campaign targeting official excess took its toll on high-end businesses, an industry report shows. According to the report, released on Saturday by the China Cuisine Association, the total revenue of the country’s catering sector […]
more…22 Apr, 2014
Believe it or not, Laos generates biggest growth in 1Q 2014 visitors to Thailand
Bangkok – In what will go down as one of the most stunning reversals of fortune in the history of global travel & tourism, the landlocked country of Laos has recorded the largest growth in arrivals to Thailand in the first quarter of 2014 over the same period of 2013. A sharp growth of 62.8% […]
more…22 Apr, 2014
Survey: ‘Overtime’ impacts on Chinese work-life balance
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) April 21, 2014 – Pressures of work, too much overtime, and too many projects are three major factors influencing the work-life balance of Chinese people, according to a latest annual report published in Shanghai on April 17. The Randstad China’s 2014 Employer Branding Survey was conducted by Randstan Human Resource and […]
more…20 Apr, 2014
Israeli Forces Disrupt Easter Procession, Sparking UN Protest
United Nations, UN News Centre, Apr 19 2014 – A top United Nations envoy on Saturday said he was dismayed that a peaceful Easter procession led by Palestinian Christians through Jerusalem’s Old City was disrupted by Israeli security forces. “Once again I call on all parties to respect the right of religious freedom, granting access […]
more…19 Apr, 2014
And they say Islam is a “violent religion”? – Check out horrifying toll of U.S. gun violence
NEWARK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 16, 2014 — SST, Inc., the maker of ShotSpotter and the global leader in gunfire detection, location, alerting and analysis, today released its 2013 National Gunfire Index™ which provides the most comprehensive, detailed and accurate data available on gunfire activity across the United States. SST collected and analyzed gunfire data from a […]
more…19 Apr, 2014
Worried about business impact, U.S. Retailers move to protect consumer data from cybercrime
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 16, 2014 – The National Retail Federation today told a congressional panel that the retail industry is committed to safeguarding and protecting consumer data and information from highly-motivated and sophisticated cybercriminals and hackers. “Retailers make significant investments every year in order to protect [consumer] data,” NRF Vice President for Retail Technologies Tom Litchford […]
more…19 Apr, 2014
India’s first “Election Tourism” programme for world’s biggest democratic poll
New Delhi, 15-April-2014, Government of India Election Commission – Seven senior officials from the Electoral Commission of Namibia began their participation today in ECI’s 2014 Election Visitors Programme. A special briefing was organized for them, at the ECI Headquarters, on India’s electoral system and the General Elections, 2014, with particular reference to the electoral scene […]
more…19 Apr, 2014
Palestinian Christians Urge International Community to Ensure Access to Jerusalem during Easter
JERUSALEM, April 17, 2014 (WAFA) – The Civic National Commission in Jerusalem, in an open letter, urged the international community to ensure that Palestinian Christians will have free access to places of worship in occupied East Jerusalem during this year’s Easter holidays. The Civic National Commission reiterated the call of Palestinian Christian institutions issued on […]
more…18 Apr, 2014
European Parliament Acts to Aid Cross-Border Debt Collection; SMEs seen as main beneficiaries
Strasbourg, 15 April 2014, European Commission MEMO – Today, the European Parliament voted in plenary to back an initiative by the European Commission that will cut red tape for companies and contribute to growth in the EU. The European Account Preservation Order (IP/11/923) (backed by 597 votes for, 33 against and 37 abstentions) will help […]
more…18 Apr, 2014
UNESCO launches Specialist Guides Training for Historic Sukhothai and Heritage Cities
BANGKOK, 16 April 2014, UNESCO Bangkok Press Release – The historic town of Sukhothai, one of Thailand’s most prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites, will soon get its own training programme for specialist guides. The UNESCO Cultural Heritage Specialist Training Programme focuses on training local guides as a way of contributing to local livelihoods and involving […]
more…18 Apr, 2014
New UNWRA chief Pierre Krähenbühl Calls for End to Israeli Blockade of Gaza
17 April 2014, Gaza, UNWRA media release – The first official visit to the Gaza Strip by UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl has received high-profile coverage in local, regional and international media. Mr. Krähenbühl vowed to advocate strenuously to end the blockade of Gaza, to improve the quality of UNRWA services to the refugees and to […]
more…16 Apr, 2014
Some Alternative Perspectives on the Future of US Diplomacy in a Changing World Order
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), April 09, 2014 – According to a Pew poll last November, 52 percent of Americans believe the US “should mind its own business internationally”. Some argue that the US is making strategic adjustments to its diplomacy, as manifested in the way it has dealt with issues of Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. […]
more…16 Apr, 2014
China busts huge Shanghai healthcare scam touting fake clinics, overpriced drugs
SHANGHAI, (Agencies) 2014-04-16- Authorities in China have detained 160 members of a criminal gang in the financial capital of Shanghai after the group lured patients to fake medical clinics and sold them overpriced drugs, Shanghai police said on Tuesday. The gang cheated more than 500 victims out of 1.7 million yuan ($273,400), using corrupt doctors […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
More home demolitions, land-grabs in Israeli drive to wipe Palestine off the map
RAMALLAH, April 14, 2014 – (WAFA) – Center of Information concerning Israeli Settlement and Apartheid Wall Affairs highlighted Monday the escalating pace at which house demolitions are carried out and demolition notices are served since the beginning of the current year of 2014. Since the beginning of the current year, Israeli authorities have handed 191 […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
Israel opens Jerusalem for foreign tourists, but not for local Palestinians
RAMALLAH, April 14, 2014 – (WAFA) – Fatah Central Committee Member Nabeel Shaath joined Sunday the Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem which marked the beginning of the Christian Holy Week of Easter. Shaath, along with Governor of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini, joined Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal and the bishop of Palestine William Shomali in the annual […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
A Palestinian Christian Reflects on Easter: The City We Love Most and Visit Least
Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true.” Then Jesus had his disciples bring him a colt, and they threw their cloaks over it for him to ride. The news of his arrival rippled through […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
European Commission Cites Growing Danger of Global Cartels — Market-sharing, Price-fixing, Bid-rigging
Full Text of speech delivered by Joaquín ALMUNIA, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy, SV Kartellrecht, Brussels, 3 April 2014 Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank Frank Montag for inviting me to your conference again. When we met last year, we talked about cartel settlements and the relative merits […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
New Studies Show Growing Health Risks from Wireless Tech
RENSSELAER, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 11, 2014 – The BioInitiative Working Group says evidence for health risk from wireless tech is growing stronger and warrants immediate action. The Group released a mid-year update covering new science studies from 2012 to 2014. New studies intensify medical concerns about malignant brain tumors from cell phone use. “There is a […]
more…15 Apr, 2014
Want to Make Ethical Decisions? A Santa Clara University App Offers a Guide
SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 08, 2014 – A new iPhone app released by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University is helping people make difficult decisions. The app, called “Ethical Decision Making: A Practical Tool for Thinking Through Tough Choices,” is a free guide to help anyone struggling with a decision. Users […]
more…14 Apr, 2014
American Muslims Stand with Jewish Community After Kansas Shootings
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/13/12) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said today that American Muslims stand in solidarity with the Jewish community after a man who reportedly shouted “Heil Hitler” opened fire at a Jewish community center and an old-age home in Overland Park, Kan. SEE: […]
more…14 Apr, 2014
Chinese bank credits benefit 46 ASEAN transport projects
BEIJING, April 12, (Xinhua) — The Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) has provided credit support to 46 transport infrastructure projects in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries by early 2014, a senior executive of the bank told Xinhua Sunday. With preferential loans from the Eximbank, 24 highways, three railways, one port, three airports and […]
more…14 Apr, 2014
China’s online tourism sector set to see more integration, acquisitions
BEIJING, April 13, (China Daily) – China’s online travel industry may see more integration and acquisitions this year, driven by the giant Internet companies. LY.com and eLong Inc announced their cooperation on Thursday. Tencent Holdings Ltd, a shareholder in both of the online travel agencies, was seen as the guiding hand behind the agreement under […]
more…13 Apr, 2014
European Commission publishes first EU Transport Scoreboard: Netherlands, Germany lead list
Brussels, 10 April 2014, European Commission Press release – The European Commission has published today for the first time a scoreboard on transport in the EU. It compares Member State performance in 22 transport-related categories and highlights for most of these categories the five top and bottom performers. The Netherlands and Germany top the scoreboard […]
more…13 Apr, 2014
China moving ahead with plan for Asian infrastructure bank
BOAO, Hainan, April 10 -(Xinhua) – China is ready to step up talks on establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Premier Li Keqiang told the opening ceremony of the 2014 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia on Thursday. “China is ready to intensify consultations with relevant parties in and outside Asia on the preparations […]
more…12 Apr, 2014
Rabbi Yisrayl Hawkins Predicts Nuclear War, Offers Place of Safety
Abilene, Texas (PRWEB) April 11, 2014 – Yisrayl Hawkins, Pastor of The House of Yahweh in Abilene, Texas, wrote a new article this week discussing where people can find protection from nuclear war, which he says is soon to come. “We see this generation in prophecy. I am surprised no one has noticed this before, […]
more…12 Apr, 2014
Starwood Hotels Pledges Shark Fin Ban in All Hotels Worldwide by Year-end
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 07, 2014 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that, beginning July 2014, it will no longer procure shark fin in any of its nearly 1,200 hotels or 1,300 restaurants around the world. The company has committed to completely eliminating the consumption of shark fin, without exception, in all […]
more…12 Apr, 2014
Now Everyone can Skip Flying: Enhanced Business Class on VIA Rail Canada
MONTRÉAL–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 08, 2014 – Business class travelers on VIA Rail’s Corridor routes can now experience many of the upgrades recently made to its Business class service – refurbished lounges, a more spacious environment on-board, a greener and more comfortable trip, new meals and more personalized service. The improvements to Business class, have been rolling […]
more…12 Apr, 2014
Malaysia: Air Passenger Traffic Up In March Despite MH370
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia April 11 (NNN-Bernama) — Despite a decline in the growth rate for air passenger traffic towards the last 10 days of March due to the recent Flight MH370 incident, the overall growth momentum remains positive, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB). Passenger traffic grew by 13 per cent in March, bringing the […]
more…12 Apr, 2014
Smog clouds tourists’ appreciation of big Chinese cities
Beijing, 11 April 2014 (China Daily) – Smog is being blamed for a drop in the Chinese domestic tourism satisfaction index. The tourist satisfaction index for domestic destinations stood at 72.6 in the first quarter, down five points from the same period last year, according to a report released by the China Tourism Academy, affiliated […]
more…11 Apr, 2014
Jewish Voice for Peace: What They Don’t Want You to Know (Academics Take Note)
The following Call to Action was issued by the activist group Jewish Voice for Peace on April 10. It is being circulated verbatim by Travel Impact Newswire in solidarity with the message. Action Update The right to criticize Israel is at stake on campuses across the country. Boston-JVP rallies hundreds to defend SJP. © Pat […]
more…11 Apr, 2014
Alcohol a major cause in nearly half a million murders in 2012: UN study on global crime
Vienna, 10 April 2013 (UNODC media release) – Almost half a million people (437,000) across the world lost their lives in 2012 as a result of intentional homicide, according to a new study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Launching the Global Study on Homicide 2013 in London today, Jean-Luc Lemahieu, […]
more…10 Apr, 2014
“Way of St James” heritage city in Spain to host 1st UNWTO Congress on Tourism & Pilgrimages
The First International Congress on Tourism and Pilgrimages is to be held between 18 – 20 September 2014 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. It is co-organised by the UN World Tourism Organisation, the Spanish Secretariat for Tourism and the Regional Government of Galicia. The capital of the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain, Santiago […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
Huge turnout for International Halal Food Expo in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (BERNAMA) — 43 companies from Saudi Arabia are participating in the 11th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS 2014), being held here from 9 -12 April 2014 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), making it the largest foreign participation so far. MIHAS is organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) under the […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
Easter Services: Jerusalem Christians Complain of Israel Denying Access to Religious Sites
JERUSALEM, April 6, 2014 (WAFA) – The Christian institutions and denominations in occupied East Jerusalem Sunday complained about denial of access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and its vicinity during Easter Holidays. The Christians described the harassment as discriminatory, racist, and targets the Holy season, said the Christians of East Jerusalem in a […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
New global coalition emerges to keep surveillance technologies in check
Brussels, 4 April 2014, – World leaders must commit to keeping invasive surveillance systems and technologies out of the hands of dictators and oppressive regimes, said a new global coalition of human rights organizations as it launched today in Brussels. The Coalition Against Unlawful Surveillance Exports (CAUSE) – which includes Amnesty International, Digitale Gesellschaft, FIDH, […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
Xi’an becomes 8th Chinese city to allow 72-hr visa exemptions
XI’AN, (Xinhua) 2014-04-05 – A city in northwest China’s Shaanxi province will allow 72-hour transit visa exemptions for foreign nationals to make it more accessible to the outside world, local authorities said on Friday. Foreigners from 51 countries in Europe, America, Oceania and Asia will be able to visit Xi’an, Shaanxi’s capital city, and Xianyang […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
Israeli Embassy Sending Home Diplomats Who Assaulted Indian Immigration Officer
Three Israeli diplomats accused of assaulting an immigration official at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here are being sent back home by their embassy. The decision to send back the diplomats, who have been slapped with criminal charges by the police, was taken by the embassy on “its own”, sources said. The police are also […]
more…9 Apr, 2014
MH370: ICAO to hold Special Meeting May 12-14 on Global Airline Flight Tracking
MONTRÉAL, 7 April 2014 (ICAO media release) – As the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370 continues, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has announced that it is convening a special meeting of State and industry experts on the global tracking of airline flights. The Council President of ICAO, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, noted […]
more…7 Apr, 2014
Palestinian Olympian has to seek an Israeli court’s OK to compete in a marathon
GAZA CITY, Palestine, Apr 4 (NNN-WAFA) – A Palestinian Olympian from the Gaza Strip said, he had asked Israel’s Supreme Court to overturn a ban on him passing through Israel, to join a marathon in the occupied West Bank. Nader al-Masri, who was prevented from participating in the first Bethlehem marathon in 2013, again sought […]
more…6 Apr, 2014
MH370 Tragedy: Test Of Malaysia’s Capability To Manage Media
KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -6 April 2014 – The incident of the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 aircraft since March 8, has put the country’s capability to manage local and international media to test to ensure the news is correct, accurate and verified. Information Department director-general, Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman said the incident exposed the […]
more…6 Apr, 2014
MH370: Malaysians United In Warding Off Unkind Remarks
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -6 April 2014 – The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 episode has put to test the patience of Malaysians and the country’s administration. No thanks to the irresponsible reporting of some media on how the Malaysian government handled the crisis and the unkind remarks from the next of kin of the Chinese […]
more…6 Apr, 2014
April 7 World Health Day: “No-one in the 21st Century Should Die from a Mosquito or Tick Bite”
2 April 2014 | Geneva – (World Health Organization) – More than half the world’s population is at risk from diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, schistosomiasis, and yellow fever, carried by mosquitoes, flies, ticks, water snails and other vectors. Every year, more than one billion people are infected and more than one […]
more…6 Apr, 2014
World Bank Report: South Asia Has World’s Highest Rate of Open Defecation
Washington, April 2, 2014 – World Bank media release —South Asia needs to spend as much as $2.5 trillion on infrastructure by 2020 to bring its power grids, roads and water supplies up to the standard needed to serve its growing population, a World Bank report says. The report, “Reducing Poverty by Closing South Asia’s […]
more…6 Apr, 2014
China puts brakes on testy taxis
Beijing, (chinadaily.com.cn), 2014-04-04 – New state regulations for China’s taxi drivers were put in place this week to boost efficiency and raise standards, but some cabbies feel the rules are misdirected. Some of the new directives, which went into effect on Tuesday by the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China, reinforce guidelines from […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
Working Mother Generations Report Reveals Wide Disparity On Attitudes Towards Work-Life Balance
NEW YORK, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A new survey of 2,163 moms and dads about the impact their generational status has on their own work life choices and satisfaction was released today by the Working Mother Research Institute. The study, which examines attitudes of Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers, finds Millennials are the […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Hotel Opens on Site of Islamic Council Building
JERUSALEM, April 2, 2014 – (WAFA) – The Israeli authorities announced Wednesday the opening of a Waldorf Astoria branch hotel, part of the Hilton chain of hotels, which manages the Waldorf brand, on the site of the Supreme Islamic Council building in West Jerusalem, said Al-Aqsa Foundation of Waqf and Heritage in a press release. […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
Palestine Foreign Ministry Files Applications to Join International Treaties
RAMALLAH, April, 2, 2014 (WAFA) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, have officially filed letters of accession to 15 multilateral treaties and convention before the relevant international parties. The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday: “On Tuesday 1st April, following a unanimous decision by the Palestinian leadership, including the PLO Executive Committee, President […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
Report shows what, where and why Russians are investing in property – Thailand tops list in Asia
FARO, Portugal, April 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Algarve property website Meravista has conducted an extensive analysis of Russian buying trends. They have produced a report which exposes the truth about what, where and why Russians are investing in European property and highlights what Portugal and other countries could be doing to increase their market share. […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
Benefits of employing people with disabilities: One man’s story
GENEVA (ILO News) 31 March 2014 – Yves Veulliet, who had an accident that deprived him of the use of his legs when he was 21, knows all about the barriers people with disabilities face in finding a job, which often result from misconceptions about what they can and cannot do. And when they do […]
more…2 Apr, 2014
MH370: ITU to build standards for future real-time ‘black box’ data recorders
Dubai, 1 April, 2014 (International Telecommunications Union media release) – The Malaysian Minister for Communications and Multimedia called upon ITU to develop leading edge standards to facilitate the transmission of flight data in real time. He was speaking at the opening of the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference taking place in Dubai. This follows the tragic […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
How to Prevent Songkran Fun from Becoming Songkran Funerals
Editor’s Note: In a few days, Songkran New Year fun and frolic will begin big time. Yet, every year, the fun leads to hundreds of funerals right across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, the main Buddhist-majority countries where Sonkgran is celebrated. Most of the deaths are caused by road-accidents, primarily related to over-consumption of alcohol. […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
Peace to unleash agricultural, tourism potential of Mindanao
Manila, March 28, 2014 (Manila Bulletin) – The signing of the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro will unleash the vast potentials of Mindanao in the areas of agriculture, agribusiness investments, tourism and natural resource development and enable the region to catch up with the country’s economic momentum. This was stressed by both Trade and Industry […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
Study: Snowden’s Revelations Have Changed ICT Decision-Makers’ Behaviour Towards Cloud
HONG KONG and TOKYO, Mar. 31 /Kyodo JBN/ — Almost nine tenths of ICT decision-makers are changing their cloud buying behaviour as a direct result of Edward Snowden’s allegations of large scale clandestine cyber-surveillance, a study published on March 31 by NTT Communications claims. NSA Aftershocks: How Snowden has Changed IT Decision-Makers’ Approach to the […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
Chinese Media Calls For Rationality Over Missing MH370
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — The Chinese media has appealed to the families of passengers on board the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 aircraft “not to let their anger prevail over facts and rationality”, no matter how distressed they are. In an opinion column headlined, ‘Treat MH370 Tragedy Rationally’ published in the China Daily […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
MH 370: Malaysian Govt Urged To Rebuff Negative Reports By Foreign Media
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia March 31 (NNN-Bernama) — The Foreign Ministry and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry have been asked to act swiftly to rebuff adverse reports involving the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 by the foreign media. Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) said both the ministries must play a more proactive role in defending the image […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
Intelligence agencies behind MH370 “disappearance”?
The following post, written by an unknown editor, was circulated by Mr Luzi Matzig, founder and investor in VIP Jets, to his list of friends with the following comment: “Below report written in poor English sounds crazy at first – but when you think about it – really posssible! Well – if you have a […]
more…1 Apr, 2014
US spying on Huawei an undeclared invasion – China Daily Deputy Editor
2014-03-28 – The world’s attention has been so focused elsewhere lately that the United States’ latest aggression has gone largely unnoticed by many people. I am not talking about the huge number of US troops being sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and Grenada to invade and intervene, but an infiltration, codenamed Shotgiant, conducted by the […]
more…31 Mar, 2014
Korean President visits Berlin Wall, pledges to make Korean DMZ “Symbol of Peace”
Berlin – Mar 28, 2014, Korea.net – Korean President Park Geun-hye visited the Berlin Wall on March 27, a symbol of Germany’s unification and freedom. Looking at the wall’s paintings while walking 20 meters along the East Side Gallery, President Park said, “I have a vision of Korea’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) becoming a symbol of peace.” […]
more…31 Mar, 2014
Computer Graphic Simulation Shows What Happens When Texting While Walking
TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 28, 2014 – NTT DOCOMO, INC, as part of its initiative to prevent accidents from Texting While Walking (staring at the smartphone screen while walking) and to improve manners, has released the video “What if everyone was Texting While Walking at Shibuya Crossing?,” which is a simulation using computer graphics, on the YouTube […]
more…29 Mar, 2014
UN official “deeply concerned” as Israel takes more steps to wipe Palestine off the map
28 March 2014 (UN News Centre) – A senior United Nations official expressed deep concern today about the ongoing displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the destruction of their private property following the Israeli authorities’ recent demolition of a two-story building there, which affected a family of refugees as well as some Palestinian 15 […]
more…29 Mar, 2014
Asia’s real estate investors to target hotels in secondary cities – Colliers report
HONG KONG, March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Asia’s real estate investors will spend more in a wider range of geographical locations and property sectors outside the region in 2014, according to a new report from Colliers International. “Besides increasing global liquidity, the volume of outbound investments from Asia is being driven by both ‘pull’ and […]
more…29 Mar, 2014
“We must close gap between Mindanao and rest of Filipino society” – Philippines President
MANILA, March 29 (Philippines Information Agency) — President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday reiterated his appeal to Filipinos to help the Bangsamoro people overcome the challenges of peace and development, stressing the need to close the gap between Muslim Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines. “For generations, fellow Filipinos in the region were embroiled in a cycle […]
more…28 Mar, 2014
FREE Download: OECD report asserts balance is critical for Travel & Tourism policy-making
A major report on travel & tourism policies in the OECD countries abounds with distinct references to the importance of balance in policy-making to manage everything from taxation to facilitation, branding to customer profiles, sustainability to seasonality. Released at ITB Berlin earlier this month, the report proves 100% accurate the February 1999 forecast by Travel […]
more…28 Mar, 2014
Half of Americans Say U.S. Headed Back to Cold War: Gallup Polls
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 27, 2014 (Gallup Polls) — Fifty percent of Americans believe the U.S. and Russia are currently heading back toward a Cold War. During his trip to Europe, President Barack Obama acknowledged increasing tension with Russia but said he has no interest in entering into another Cold War. Spurred by increased international apprehensions […]
more…28 Mar, 2014
China’s Forbidden City to control visitor numbers
BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) — The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, on Wednesday unveiled plans to control the number of visitors for protection purposes. The plans, including not allowing annual ticket holders to visit during peak seasons, a seven-day promotion of ticket sales for afternoon visits from July to August, and online […]
more…27 Mar, 2014
UN Human Rights Experts Denounce Land-Grab for Viet Nam Eco-Resort
United Nations, (UN News Centre) Mar 26 2014 – A group of United Nations independent human rights experts today called on the Vietnamese Government to “intervene urgently” in a case of forced eviction of the last remaining residents of Con Dau, a small village located on the outskirts of Da Nang city in the centre […]
more…26 Mar, 2014
FREE Download: World Media Freedom Report Warns of Growing “Privatization of Censorship”
United Nations, (UN News Centre) Mar 25 2014 – While technological progress and innovative business models have expanded opportunities for freedom expression, they have also allowed for new threats to emerge in the form of Internet censorship, filtering, blocking, and surveillance, warns the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Freedom of expression is […]
more…25 Mar, 2014
WHO report: 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution
Geneva, 25 March 2014, (World Health Organization news release )– In new estimates released today, WHO reports that in 2012 around 7 million people died – one in eight of total global deaths – as a result of air pollution exposure. This finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is now […]
more…25 Mar, 2014
Time to Show Support: Visit Thailand for Songkran, Malaysia for Easter
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Today, two ASEAN countries (Malaysia and Thailand) need as many friends as they can get. There is no better time than now to show them friendship and support. Thailand is recovering from a three-month political crisis. It’s not yet over but common sense has prevailed and a […]
more…25 Mar, 2014
Chinese become world’s top tipplers of red wine
LONDON, (Agencies) 2014-01-29 – China has overtaken France and Italy to become the world’s number one consumer of red wine, although the United States remains the world’s biggest tippler of all types of wines, the wine and spirits trade association VINEXPO said on Tuesday. China drank 1.865 billion bottles of red wine last year, or […]
more…25 Mar, 2014
China identifies six major uncertainties facing global economy
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 24, 2014 – The global economy in 2014 is fraught with six major uncertainties, said Zhu Guangyao, Vice Minister of Finance, when delivering a speech at the “2014 Global Economic Outlook” session of the “China Development Forum 2014” in Beijing, March 22, 2014. These six uncertainties are : The Fed’s […]
more…25 Mar, 2014
China’s top universities to enroll more rural students
BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) — China is eyeing a 10-percent increase in the number of students from impoverished rural areas attending the country’s top universities this year, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Monday. The MOE said the growth will be realized through expanding three existing programs. Under the […]
more…24 Mar, 2014
Chinese doctors list the top 10 professions with worst sleep quality
Beijing, 2014-03-21 (chinadaily.com.cn) – Everyone wants good quality sleep. However, some find it difficult to give their body clock a proper rest due to the nature of their occupation. Chinese Medical Doctor Association, which launched the 2014 China Sleep Quality Index research report on March 16, shows that, in general, the sleep quality of Chinese […]
more…24 Mar, 2014
Agoda.com Survey Reveals Things Travellers Can’t Live Without
Singapore (PRWEB) March 24, 2014 – Agoda.com, one of Asia’s leading hotel booking sites and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), has announced the results of their latest global survey, which reveals that Asian don’t want to forget their mobile phones on vacation while Westerners don’t want to forget their credit cards. The survey, conducted […]
more…22 Mar, 2014
Obama launches online poll to gauge public concerns on privacy vs big data
For the first time, the Obama administration has launched online opinion poll to gather public views on the “complicated issue” of balancing privacy, security and trust. The simple five-question survey first probes the level of trust respondents have in those who maintain “big data” records and queries their level of concern about how that data […]
more…21 Mar, 2014
UK’s new immigration policy signals welcome for Mandarin-speaking teachers
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 20, 2014 – UK’s immigration policy creates a new visa category for overseas language teachers aiming to share knowledge and awareness of foreign culture in the UK. The first of these schemes will support a Mandarin teaching scheme designed to foster good cultural relations between the UK and China. A […]
more…21 Mar, 2014
Lessons from the Ukraine crisis: How Many Wars Does the West Seek to Wage?
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 19, 2014 – Ukraine has become the final battlefield in the “cold war”, and it is becoming a possibility that the crisis will trigger a second “cold war”. The Crimean parliament’s declaration of independence from Ukraine ahead of the March 16 referendum indicates that Crimea may go ahead and join […]
more…20 Mar, 2014
On Int’l Day Of Happiness, UN Urges Action To End Poverty, Build Harmony
United Nations, (UN News Centre), Mar 20 2014 – Marking the International Day of Happiness with calls to promote social inclusion and intercultural harmony, senior United Nations officials today urged the global community to make real the UN Charter’s pledge to end conflict and poverty and ensure the well-being of all. “Happiness is neither a […]
more…20 Mar, 2014
Australian Minister lists full range of measures to balance facilitation <> security interests
Full text of speech delivered at the Tourism and Transport Forum leadership summit in Canberra, 19 March 2014 I would like to acknowledge the presence of The Hon Bruce Baird AM, Chairman of TTF, Ken Morrison, CEO of TTF and Trent Zimmerman, Deputy CEO of TFF and thank them for their invitation to speak to […]
more…20 Mar, 2014
Political unrest causes Bt50 billion monthly damage to Thai economy
BANGKOK, March 19 (MCOT online news)– Thailand’s tourism sector has been hardest hit of all sectors by the political turmoil since November during which a monthly circulating fund of Bt40-50 billion has vanished, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Mr Issara Wongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade […]
more…19 Mar, 2014
Emerging New World Order: UK students to get Chinese math teachers
SHANGHAI, March 18 -(Xinhua) – Shanghai’s education authority has begun drafting a program to recruit math teachers from the city’s schools to teach in the UK at the invitation of the UK Department of Education, according to sources with the city’s education committee on Tuesday. The invitation came earlier this month after British parliamentary under-secretary […]
more…19 Mar, 2014
As confidence in Thai tourism resumes, major hotel conf returns to Bangkok
BANGKOK – A major hotel industry conference in Bangkok that came dangerously close to being moved to Phuket has now been reconfirmed for the Thai capital following the return to normalcy and the scaling down of anti-government protests. The move will further boost confidence for the MICE sector, which was one of the worst hit […]
more…18 Mar, 2014
A Global First: A database that visualises planetary land cover
17 March 2014, Rome (FAO Media release) – A new FAO database released today collects previously scattered and unharmonized land cover information from around the globe into one centralized database, marking a major improvement in information regarding the physical characteristics of the Earth’s surface. Up to now, one of the major challenges to getting a […]
more…18 Mar, 2014
As massive travel shift looms, Asia, Africa, Latin America set to gain big-time from Ukraine crisis
The geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the United States / Europe over Ukraine is almost certain to generate a significant boost for Latin America, Asia and Africa as both European and Russian travellers shift towards destinations where they may feel more welcome. Good geopolitical relations between countries are the bedrock of travel & tourism flows, […]
more…16 Mar, 2014
Gallup Polls: In U.S., Most Do Not See Global Warming as Serious Threat
PRINCETON, NJ — March 13, 2014 — Gallup Polls — The majority of Americans continue to believe that the effects of global warming are happening or will begin to happen during their lifetimes. At the same time, many fewer, currently 36%, believe global warming will pose a serious threat to their way of life during their […]
more…16 Mar, 2014
FAO survey detects steady rise in low levels of GM crops in traded food and feed
13 March 2014, Rome (FAO media release) – The increased production of genetically modified crops around the globe has led to a higher number of incidents of low levels of GMOs being detected in traded food and feed, FAO said today. The incidents have led to trade disruptions between countries with shipments of grain, cereal […]
more…12 Mar, 2014
Watch Livestream: “Christ at the Checkpoint” Conference in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Palestine, Christian Newswire/ — The Bethlehem Bible College is currently holding the third Christ at the Checkpoint (CATC) conference, in Bethlehem from March 10-14, 2014. The conference theme, “Christ at the Checkpoint III: Your Kingdom Come,” draws from the Lord’s Prayer to ask how Jesus Christ would approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today. According to […]
more…12 Mar, 2014
Healthcare providers see risks and opportunities in speed of technology change
LONDON-March 11, 2014-(BUSINESS WIRE)–European healthcare executives (51 per cent) predict that over the next three years technology platforms will have the biggest impact on their business models, however they are wary that in driving rapid change the biggest areas at risk are 1) technology itself and crucially 2) R&D. The majority (71 per cent) believe […]
more…12 Mar, 2014
FREE Download: ASTA reports strong growth in profitable travel agencies
Alexandria, VA, March 11, 2014 (ASTA news release) – The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) released its 2014 ASTA Agency Profile, which revealed that two-thirds of ASTA member agencies reported a profitable year in 2013, which is a ten percentage point increase over 2011 and 2012. In addition, agencies reporting that they just “broke […]
more…12 Mar, 2014
Report discloses attempts to cheat, defraud Asian Development Bank
Manila, 11 March 2014 – Submission of fraudulent documents, recommending spouses to work as consultants, misrepresenting work experience and accepting kickbacks from suppliers were among some of the 250 cases related to internal fraud and corruption reported to the Asian Development Bank in 2013. Other cases identified in the ADB’s Annual Report of the Office […]
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