3 Sep, 2013
West pushing Syria toward total doom, by O.P. Rana, China Daily
2013-09-02 – The inevitable is about to happen. Well, it is almost certain to happen. Syrians face imminent bombing by Western forces led by the United States. They face more deaths and destruction, ironically, for suffering what many believe is a chemical weapon attack and seeing more than 100,000 of their compatriots perish and a […]
more…2 Sep, 2013
11-Volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism Launched in U.S.
Columbia, South Carolina – In an historic moment marking the spiritual and cultural history of India, the international edition of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism was launched on Aug 25, 2013 in a ceremony hosted by the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. A project of India Heritage Research Foundation, founded, guided, inspired and led by […]
more…2 Sep, 2013
UNWTO helps unlock millions in aid funds for developing countries, island states
Livingstone, Zambia – The UN World Tourism Organization is stepping up efforts to help its numerous developing-country members unlock millions of dollars worth of aid funds being disbursed annually by governments, international finance institutions and other donors via the UN system and other multilateral trade and economic groups. The move will deliver a valuable membership […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
Lawsuit alleges Boy Scouts of America in denial over “pedophiles in its ranks”
SEATTLE, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Attorneys for sex-abuse victims on Thursday filed a civil lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, alleging that America’s largest youth-serving organization was negligent and failed to protect youth in its care, resulting in the sexual assaults of 12 boys from Washington state. Most of the alleged incidents took […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
Crisis shadows US amid imperial downturn
August 28, 2013, (Global Times) – The histories of empires are as different as the cultural, economic, material and political conditions they inherited, reshaped, and passed on. The US began in anti-imperial revolt and defined itself as a republic devoid of imperial ambitions. Since 1945 the US insisted that it was a great power of […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
China issues White Paper on economic, trade cooperation with Africa
BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government on Thursday issued a white paper on China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, underlining latest achievements of the mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and African countries. The white paper, released by the Information Office of China’s State Council, introduces facts of trade development, investment expansion, agricultural cooperation, infrastructure construction […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
Arab-American Group Rejects U.S. Military Action Against Syria
Washington, DC | www.adc.org | August 30, 2012 — The following is the full text of a statement issued by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) about the potential U.S. attack on Syria. Open statement The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee calls on the Obama Administration to exercise restraint, and not use military action against Syria. As a […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
Int’l Food Workers Union: Martin Luther King’s Dream Still a Pipe-dream
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The following is a statement issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) regarding the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington: “The UFCW is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters from across the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. […]
more…1 Sep, 2013
In First Meeting, Latin American, Asian NTOs Swap Ideas to Boost Inter-Regional Travel
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – Travel & tourism linkages between Asia and Latin America are set to gain momentum as a result of the first high-level meeting between their senior tourism officials on the sidelines of the 20th UNWTO General Assembly on 27 August 2013. The meeting, jointly promoted by the UNWTO and the Ibero-American General […]
more…30 Aug, 2013
China Makes it Easier for Foreign Visitors to Extend Stay
Beijing, 2013-08-30 – Foreigners’ original visas will remain valid when they intend to extend their stay in China starting in September, Beijing’s exit-entry administration said on Thursday. Currently, if foreign nationals want to prolong their stays in the country, their original visas, whether expired or not, must be canceled, according to the administration under the […]
more…29 Aug, 2013
ASEAN’s loss: Cambodia fails to win 2015 UNWTO General Assembly
Livingstone, Zambia — A well-oiled and –financed lobbying campaign by Colombian tourism authorities saw the South American country edge out Cambodia in the bid to host the 2015 biennial General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organisation. The outcome miffed the Cambodians who noted that Colombia had already hosted the General Assembly in 2007 and […]
more…29 Aug, 2013
Getting People Moving: EC launches initiative to promote physical activity in Europe
Brussels, 28 August 2013, European Commission Press release – The European Commission adopted today an initiative on health-enhancing physical activity which is the first ever proposal for a Council Recommendation on sport. Sport and physical activity help people to stay physically and mentally fit by combating excessive weight and obesity and preventing related health conditions. […]
more…29 Aug, 2013
Global hotels group chief blasts OTAs for raking in US$25 billion in commissions
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe – The International Hotels & Restaurants Association has blasted the US$25 billion in commissions that it says are being raked in by the Online Travel Agencies and called for closer action in cooperation with the global national tourism organisations to do something about it. The comment by IH&RA President Casimir Platzer at […]
more…29 Aug, 2013
Rifai Re-elected by Acclamation to Head UNWTO, Pledges Reform via Consensus
Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe — UN World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General Dr Taleb Rifai, 64, was re-elected to serve another four-year term covering the period 2014-17. Nominated unanimously by the Executive Council and re-elected by acclamation, he received a standing ovation and a nearly one-minute round of applause at the General Assembly on August 28. In a […]
more…29 Aug, 2013
In Landmark Lecture, UN Chief Criticises Surveillance, Tells Global Leaders to “Listen to the People”
United Nations, Aug 28 2013 (UN News Centre) – Development, peace and security, and human rights are interdependent, mutually reinforcing dimensions of freedom, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said at the historic Leiden University in the Netherlands, lauding “the voices and the activism of ordinary people who stand up and speak out.” “Fear is often the […]
more…28 Aug, 2013
Ecosystem-Based Approaches Key to Tackling Challenge of African Food Security
Nairobi, 23 August 2013 (UNEP media release) – As Africa faces food security challenges worsening in the face of climate change, almost 800 delegates from across the continent backed Ecosystems-Based Adaptation Approaches as a key tool in ensuring adequate food for all at the end of a two-day meeting at the UN Environment Programme headquarters […]
more…28 Aug, 2013
China joins international efforts to end offshore tax evasion
OECD – Paris, 27 August 2013 – China signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters at a ceremony today at the OECD. All G20 countries have now fulfilled the commitment they made at the Cannes G20 Summit to sign the Convention and move towards automatic exchange of information as the new, […]
more…28 Aug, 2013
Zambia, Zimbabwe launch borderless two-nations, one-convention concept
Livingstone/Victoria Falls – In an unprecedented show of cooperation, two landlocked African countries divided by a border which runs through one of the world’s most spectacular natural heritage sites set aside their border formalities in order to facilitate what became arguably the world’s first borderless travel & tourism convention. Between 24-29 August, delegates attending the […]
more…26 Aug, 2013
4th Entrepreneurship Summit in KL Aimed at NextGen Builders, Creators, Dreamers
Kuala Lumpur – Registrations are open for the 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur between 11-12 October. More than 3,000 entrepreneurs, speakers, investors and policy-makers from over 50 countries are projected to attend the event, originally initiated by U.S. President Barack Obama to create “the next generation of dreamers, creators and […]
more…24 Aug, 2013
U.N. Declares 6 April Int’l Day Of Sport For Development, Peace
United Nations, (UN News Centre), Aug 23 2013 – The United Nations General Assembly today proclaimed 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, as the body’s President hailed the decision a “historic” step in recognizing the power of sport to erase cultural barriers and mobilize people around the world. “Sport […]
more…24 Aug, 2013
Summit in Sweden Unites Global War Veterans In Pursuit of Peace
STOCKHOLM, August 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Earlier this summer Sweden’s Veteran Federation, SVF, hosted the World Veterans Federation’s Peace and Security Summit. The outcome of the summit was The Stockholm Declaration, urging the world’s veteran associations and governments to work for the veterans’ experiences and skills to a higher degree should be utilized as a […]
more…23 Aug, 2013
India Sees Improved Male:Female Sex Ratio
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 21-August, 2013 – The Sex Ratio in the country has shown an improvement. As per the Census, sex ratio has increased from 933 females per thousand males in 2001 to 943 females per thousand males in 2011. State/UT-wise details of sex ratio are listed below. The Government has been […]
more…23 Aug, 2013
China plans major railway reforms to generate growth, create jobs
BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — The railway sector is high on China’s government agenda with detailed measures on its reforms and instructions from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. China’s State Council published a plan earlier this week to innovate railway funding and speed up construction. Experts said this was “appropriate” in the backdrop of economic structuring […]
more…23 Aug, 2013
Myanmar gets another U.N. warning on incitement of ethic, religious hatred
YANGON / BANGKOK / GENEVA (22 August 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, said the country is moving forward in many areas “which has brought positive changes to the human rights situation, and has the potential to bring further improvements.” However, he warned about […]
more…23 Aug, 2013
Total Transparency Reigns as UNWTO Gets Set for 20th General Assembly
In yet another exemplary display of total transparency, the UNWTO has posted on its website the entire set of working papers and financial statements to be discussed at the upcoming General Assembly and Executive Council meetings in Zambia and Zimbabwe between August 24-29. The public has full access to the material which provide copious detail […]
more…22 Aug, 2013
American Museum of Agriculture Changes Name to Bayer Museum of Agriculture
Lubbock, Texas (PRWEB) August 20, 2013 – Today, Bayer CropScience and the American Museum of Agriculture announced a sponsorship agreement to rename the museum the “Bayer Museum of Agriculture,” helping to further preserve, promote and display its cotton industry collection dating back to the 1600’s. Editor’s Comment A sign of what’s to come. Should museums […]
more…22 Aug, 2013
UNEP Environmental Alert: Global Mangrove Forest Cover Fading Fast
Nairobi, Aug 2013 – The uniquely adapted mangrove forests on the marine-terrestrial interface preserve coastline integrity by buffering wave energy from marine processes. The ecosystem services they provide and their support for coastal livelihoods worldwide are worth at least US $1.6 billion a year. Despite their global importance, mangroves are being lost rapidly and action […]
more…21 Aug, 2013
Call to reduce violence against women by building better cities
OTTAWA, Aug. 20, 2013 /CNW/ – Can poor city planning aid and abet violence against women? Consider the fatal gang rape in Delhi last December of the young woman referred to in the press as “Nirbhaya” (“fearless”). As an angry public poured into the streets to protest Nirbhaya’s death, other brutal attacks captured international headlines. […]
more…21 Aug, 2013
Cruise Lines Association Welcomes New Global Pact to Boost Seafarers’ Working Conditions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced it welcomes the entry into force of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The MLC provides further worker protections and rights for crewmembers, providing them specific rights related to all facets of employment, including wages, hours, medical care, […]
more…21 Aug, 2013
Foreigners hit with bigger fines via strict enforcement of Chinese exit-entry law
2013-08-20 (China Daily) Shanghai fined and punished more than 500 foreigners for illegally staying in the country after China imposed its new exit-entry law in July, according to statistics provided by the city’s immigration inspection department. From 1 July 1 through 10 Aug, 534 foreigners had illegally entered or overstayed their visas. More than 380 […]
more…21 Aug, 2013
China plans development of Western regions as new engine for growth
2013-08-20, (China Daily) — China is betting on its western development program to lead a new round of economic growth as the government is mulling “differentiated” policies for the region that will feature huge spending on infrastructure, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. “We will roll out more preferential policies tailored for the western region […]
more…20 Aug, 2013
ASEAN, Japan, Bhutan Big Winners at Thailand Travel Fair 2013
BANGKOK – Thousands of Thai would-be travellers thronged this year’s second Thailand International Travel Fair between Aug 15-18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok. The event was organised by the Thai Travel Agents Association, which includes the outbound and domestic agents and is separate from the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), […]
more…18 Aug, 2013
Exclusive: WikiLeaks Cable exposes U.S. bid to penetrate Brazil’s security apparatus
Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff cited unspecified “threats” by “ill-intentioned individuals or groups” in attempting to persuade Brazilian security ministers and officials to give the U.S. a vital foothold in the Brazilian travel, transport, trade and sports events networks, according to a WikiLeaks cable. Using touchy-feely buzzwords such as “partnerships,” “cooperation” […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
Indian Railways to Provide Braille Signage in Passenger Coaches
Ministry of Railways, 16-August, 2013 – As a part of its social commitment to make Railways more friendly towards specially abled passengers, Indian Railways has decided to provide Braille stickers in coaches to facilitate visually impaired passengers. Presently coaches are provided with signage, instructions, seat numbers etc. which are mostly in the form of vinyl […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
Food Workers Union: Martin Luther King’s Dreams of Jobs, Economic Equality Still Unfulfilled
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– August 16, 2013 – The following is a statement issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) regarding the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington: “The UFCW is proud to stand with our brothers and sisters from across the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
Survey Shows Uneven Economic Picture for U.S. Landscape Architecture Firms
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– August 13, 2013 – U.S. landscape architecture firms are experiencing sluggish but steady growth as they emerge from the recession, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) second quarter 2013 Business Quarterly survey. More firms reported stable or rising billable hours but have pared down their plans to hire. 82.8 percent […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
China set to overtake US as world’s No 1 consumer – S&P Report
Beijing, 2013-08-15 – Even with the ongoing slowdown of China’s economic growth, the world’s No 2 economy is expected to overtake the US to become the world’s largest consumer market in the next five years, according to a new report by Standard & Poor’s (S&P). The report – entitled Financial Risks Are Rising as Retail […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
Chinese millionaires report features first “Happiness Index”
Beijing, 2013-08-15 09:17 – At a time of economic slowdown combined with market uncertainties, Chinese millionaires’ confidence in the country’s economy in the next two years has dropped for a second consecutive year, according to the GroupM Knowledge-Hurun Wealth Report 2013. The report was co-released by the media investment management firm GroupM China and the […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
Beijing-Tokyo dispute will have “serious ramifications” for ASEAN
Bangkok, 2013-08-15 – The intensifying hostility between China and Japan and the increasing mutual distrust between their people will have serious ramifications on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. For the past three decades, the two Asian giants’ stable relations have helped generate huge volumes of trade and investment and propelled the region’s economic progress. […]
more…17 Aug, 2013
The Next Big Thing: Asia <> Africa Travel
Bangkok – With the industrialised countries more or less saturated as generators of global travel, and intra-Asia/Pacific travel booming, sights are turning towards what is likely to be the next big source market for Asia by the end of this decade: Africa. The groundwork for this boom to come is being laid now. One step […]
more…15 Aug, 2013
China asks: Who gave America the right to launch network assaults?
Beijing, (People’s Daily Online), August 14, 2013 – Edward Snowden revealed the fact of large-scale telecom monitoring at home and abroad by the United States, confirming people’s previous assumptions. However, the world was still shocked by the depth and the breadth of the monitoring. In response to the numerous questions put to the United States […]
more…15 Aug, 2013
How bird-cage making, a Malay Muslim art, strives to build peace in South Thailand
Yala, (World Bank Update) August 13, 2013 – Three years ago, Ban Kue-meng was just another rural town in Thailand’s Yala province. These days, it is known as the home of some of the best bird cage makers in the country. Bird cage making, a Malay Muslim art in Thailand’s southernmost provinces (known locally as the […]
more…14 Aug, 2013
UNHCR appeals for dialogue following more anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar
GENEVA, 13 August (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) – The UNHCR on Tuesday called for measures to prevent further violence in the wake of the latest clashes between displaced Muslims and security forces in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. “The clashes last Friday have left one man dead and about 10 people injured,” UN refugee agency spokesman […]
more…14 Aug, 2013
Marking Youth Day, UN Officials Spotlight Rights And Potential Of Young Migrants
United Nations, Aug 13 2013 (UN News Centre) – Marking International Youth Day, United Nations officials today highlighted the plight as well as the contributions of young migrants, who often face hard conditions away from their homes. “It is important to emphasize the positive contribution young migrants make to societies of origin, transit and destination […]
more…14 Aug, 2013
Visa Global Travel Study: Americans Plan to Spend 40% More on Next Foreign Trip
FOSTER CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–August 13, 2013 – According to the Global Travel Intentions Study 2013 by Visa Inc. U.S. travelers crave culture, are tech savvy and plan to significantly increase their travel budget on their next international trip. Findings revealed that travelers plan to spend 40 percent more on their next international trip compared to […]
more…14 Aug, 2013
Report: Small Businesses “Uniquely Vulnerable” to Climate Change, Extreme Weather
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 25, 2013 – U.S. small businesses – widely recognized as the backbone of the U.S. economy – are particularly at risk from extreme weather and climate change and must take steps to adapt, according to a new report from Small Business Majority and the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC). Titled “Climate […]
more…13 Aug, 2013
New York Judge’s Ruling Opens Door To Combat Racial Profiling In Travel
In a move that is set to have a significant impact on the conduct of security personnel at airports and right across the travel & transport system, a judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled on Aug 12 that the New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk policy has led […]
more…13 Aug, 2013
HK PolyTech Univ Invites Applications for Ph.D. Scholarships
Hong Kong, 13 Aug 21013 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) invites expressions of interest from graduates, irrespective of country of origin and ethnic background, with evidence of academic excellence, research ability and potential, and good communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities for full-time PhD study in Hong Kong within the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship […]
more…13 Aug, 2013
China Mulls Ways to Boost Safety of Its Overseas Travellers, Residents
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) — A Chinese national has returned to safety after Thursday’s attack in Afghan capital Kabul that killed three Chinese self-employed business people. Another Chinese citizen is still missing. The incident drew wide attention from home and abroad, as the issue of the safety of Chinese nationals overseas becomes more and more […]
more…11 Aug, 2013
Chinese Medicine Fair to be held in HK, 15-17 Aug
Hong Kong, Aug 8, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – About 140 exhibitors and 20 expert speakers will present the latest Chinese medicine and health products, solutions and intelligence at the 12th edition of the International Conference & Exhibition of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM), 15-17 August. Jointly organised by the Hong […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
City of Confucius gets first international hotel
2013-08-10, (China Daily) – It is a sprawling traditional Chinese pavilion topped by grey roofs with tiers of overhanging eaves. This is the latest Shangri-la Hotel in China, opened on Aug 1 in Qufu, home of Confucius. With an area of more than 50,000 square meters spread across two streets corners, the hotel allows guests […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
2nd Congress of Indonesian Diaspora to open Aug 18
Jakarta, August 10 2013 – Indonesia will organize the 2nd Congress of Indonesian Diaspora (CID II), the biggest gathering of Indonesians living overseas, in Jakarta to connect and unite into one big family and increase the contribution of Indonesian Diaspora to the nation, the Foreign Ministry says. “The Congress of Indonesian Diaspora aims to increase […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
Registered Overseas Indian Citizens Total 1.37 million
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 07-August, 2013 – A total of 1,372,624 Overseas Indians have been registered as overseas citizens of India (OCIs) as of 31.07.2013. The highest number of 520,055 Overseas Indians in USA have been registered as OCIs followed by U.K. (307,822,) Australia (133,755) and Canada (114,748). As reported by 107 Indian Missions […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
UN Stresses Importance Of Honouring Treaties With World’s 370m Indigenous People
United Nations, Aug 9 2013 (UN News Centre) – Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, United Nations officials today urged governments to honour the treaties and agreements established with their indigenous groups, stressing that respecting official policies is the only way to maintain peace and advance development. EDITOR’S COMMENT Travel Impact Newswire […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
“Clean Government” policy: China says official spending now largely checked
BEIJING, 2013-08-09 (Xinhua) – A regulation proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on major measures to slash government spending has been properly and effectively implemented, the government said on Thursday. However, violations have not been eliminated, according to the statement, which added that the State Council, or China’s cabinet, will work with relevant authorities to […]
more…10 Aug, 2013
Indigenous canoe trip celebrates 400-year-old peace treaty
United Nations, 9 August 2013 – More than 200 indigenous and non-indigenous canoe paddlers arrived in Manhattan today, after having travelled for almost two weeks down the Hudson River from upstate New York, to take part in an event at the United Nations to mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Aug […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
Johannesburg Tops African Millionaires List
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Johannesburg, the commercial capital of South Africa, is home to far more dollar millionaires than any other city in Africa, research has found. The “city of gold” topped the continent’s rich list with 23,400 millionaires at the end of 2012, according to New World Wealth, a consultancy based in Oxford in […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
HR Chiefs Recount Best and Worst of Job-Seekers’ Tactics and Antics
CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –Would you hire job seekers who sang their interview, dressed as a clown, or printed their resume on a chocolate bar? CareerBuilder asked 2,076 hiring managers and human resource professionals nationwide to share the most memorable methods candidates have used to stand out from the crowd, and whether their creativity […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
Chinese analyst: U.S. “goof-up” in Egypt will create more trouble for years
Beijing, 2013-08-09 – Violence in Egypt has escalated since the army moved ousted president Mohamed Morsi to a secret location, where he is being held on accusations for having “conspired” with Gaza-based Hamas to carry out “hostile acts” inside Egypt. The bloodshed in late July, which followed by nationwide protests and clashes between Morsi’s supporters […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
Chinese security expert: U.S. exaggerating “terrorism” threat
Beijing August 09, 2013 – The U.S. recently announced the closure of a number of its embassies in the Muslim world until the end of Ramadan, claiming that it faced “the most serious terrorist threats since September 11 attacks”. It is standard procedure for the U.S. to issue occasional alerts to its overseas agencies. But […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
China’s obesity rate growing
Beijing, 2013-08-06 – More Chinese people aged 20 to 39 are becoming overweight and their athletic ability is declining, according to a national survey released on Monday. The survey of more than 43,000 adults found that more than 11 percent of people aged 20 to 39 are obese, an increase of 2 percentage points since […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
Index shows rise in global acceptance of Chinese yuan
Beijing, 2013-08-07 – A major index measuring global acceptance of the Chinese currency rose 4.8 percent in June from the previous month. The Standard Chartered Renminbi Globalisation Index reached 1,050 in June, up 65 percent year-on-year, withstanding macro and market uncertainties, the bank said on Wednesday. The bank said the rise was mainly driven by […]
more…9 Aug, 2013
Report outlines state of Aussie public health & welfare
Canberra, 08 Aug 2013 – Australians are living longer, are better educated and extending their stay in the workforce, but some people continue to be disadvantaged, according to the latest welfare report card from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). From the latest figures available, Australian governments spent an estimated $119 billion on […]
more…8 Aug, 2013
India protests racial/ethnic profiling of travellers, cyber-intrusions
New Delhi, 7 August 2013 (Press Information Bureau and Travel Impact Newswire) – The Indian government has protested the growing number of incidents involving the racial profiling and harassment of Indian travellers at airports around the world. It has also declared as “unacceptable” the “violation of Indian laws relating to the privacy of information of […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
Survey: Most Travel Managers Not Adjusting Corporate Policy In Light Of “Terror Threat”
August 6, 2013, RADNOR, PA, (Press Statement): The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today released results of a survey of travel managers designed to determine what travel policy changes and other support travelers are receiving in light of news of a major terror threat. Introduction Given the new intelligence suggesting that Al Qaeda may launch attacks […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
Finalists named for Europe’s most inspirational, innovative regional projects awards 2014
Brussels, 6 August 2013, European commission media release – The finalists for the RegioStars 2014 awards which honour Europe’s most inspirational and innovative regional projects were published today in Brussels. The RegioStars Awards Jury singled out 19 finalists from 80 projects supported by EU Regional Funds on the basis of four key criteria: innovation, impact, […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
Across Europe, phone call rates differ by 774%!!
Brussels, European Commission Press release, 6 August 2013 – Mobile users across the European Union face huge price differences for the same services. The biggest price difference is in domestic mobile calls – a 774% difference between Lithuania, the cheapest country, and Netherlands, the most expensive. These price differences cannot be explained by differences in […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
A Palestinian Speaks in Hiroshima: War is a way rich get richer at expense of the poor
Hiroshima, Aug 6, 2013 – I and Oliver Stone both spoke at Hiroshima on the anniversary of the first nuclear bombing in human history and we are slated to speak in two days at Nagasaki on the anniversary of the second nuclear attack. My speech is below. These remain the most starkest of acts of […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
Communist Party of China to maintain high pressure on corruption
BEIJING, (Xinhua) August 06, 2013 — For those questioning whether the Communist Party of China (CPC) is serious about its anti-corruption drive, the growing number of officials under punishment has shown the party’s zero-tolerance to such wrongdoing. Four court officials in Shanghai were suspended from their posts last week and investigated after alleged hiring of […]
more…7 Aug, 2013
Give Chinese overseas tourists a break
(China Daily), August 06, 2013 – If China’s media is to be believed, Chinese tourists visiting foreign countries have become the new “ugly Americans”. Hardly a day goes by without some report of boorish and culturally insensitive behavior on the part of Chinese traveling overseas. For example, some “rude Chinese tourist” stories published online go […]
more…6 Aug, 2013
ADB, Australia, Korea To Support New Transport Link in Mekong Delta
5 August 2013 (ADB Media release)— The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend $410 million to Viet Nam to build sections of a second arterial highway connecting Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta and southern coastal regions. Lao Bao (Lao BaÒo) international checkpoint linking Viet Nam to Lao PDR. Photo: ADB “Viet Nam […]
more…6 Aug, 2013
Surveillance backlash: U.S. cloud computing industry could lose $22-$35 billion
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) August 05, 2013 – The United States is the international leader in cloud computing, dominating every segment of the nearly $130 billion industry. However, recent revelations about the extent to which the National Security Administration obtains data from third-parties through the PRISM program, may lead to significant changes in the global cloud […]
more…6 Aug, 2013
2nd World Hindu Economic Forum to be held in Bangkok, Aug 10-11
Bangkok – The 2nd World Hindu Economic Forum will be held in the Thai capital during August 10-11, 2013 under the theme, “Making Society Prosperous – Strengthening Economy and Shaping Future.” World Hindu Economic Forum is an initiative to create and synergize positive and mutually beneficial networking among Hindu entrepreneurs, investors, industrialists, businessmen, professional, bankers, […]
more…6 Aug, 2013
China People’s Daily: Time to break the hegemony of western discourse
(People’s Daily Online), August 05, 2013 – Reading the recent policy speeches of western leaders might create the impression that most of the content concerns the domestic economy, the management of which is indeed a current and pressing task. However, closer inspection reveals an ongoing insistence on promoting ‘western values’ to the world. What lies […]
more…5 Aug, 2013
Ahead of Youth Day, UN chief hears concerns from young people worldwide
United Nations, (UN News Centre) 5 August 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today held an interactive dialogue with young people across the world and launched an online United Nations Platform for Youth in conjunction with his Special Envoy on this issue. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas “Your generation is the largest the world has ever known,” Mr. […]
more…5 Aug, 2013
Asian tourism market worth A$20 bln for Australia by 2020
CANBERRA, August 4 (Xinhua) — The Asian region could collectively be worth more than 20 billion AU dollars (17.8 billion U.S. dollars) to Australia’s tourism industry by 2020, a media release by Tourism Minister Gary Gray quoted him as saying on Sunday. Gray said Tourism Australia would receive 12.5 million AU dollars (11.1 million U.S. […]
more…5 Aug, 2013
Regal Riverside Hotel Hong Kong Launches New Halal Kitchen
Hong Kong – Regal Riverside Hotel has announced that its newly launched Halal kitchen in L’Eau Restaurant has been awarded the Halal Certificate by The Incorporated Trustees of The Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. After several rounds of inspection and verification, the newly built kitchen has met the criteria for certification as Halal. It […]
more…5 Aug, 2013
Booz Allen Gets More Multi-million Dollar Surveillance, Reconnaissance Contracts
MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– August 02, 2013 – Booz Allen Hamilton today announced it has now won four of the Full and Open Pillar contracts involving a range of full system lifecycle support activities for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SCC Atlantic). Most recently, the firm won a contract with a total ceiling […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
China’s Economic Boom Creating Huge Ecological Pressure – UNEP report
Kubuqi (China) /Bangkok, 02 August 2013 – China has surged ahead of the rest of the world in material consumption, creating intense environmental pressures, but the country also remains among the most successful in the world in improving resource efficiency, according to a new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today. The […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
Bids called for “Beijing-Shenyang in two hours” high-speed rail link
Beijing, (China Daily) 2013-08-02 – The long-overdue Beijing-Shenyang super high speed railway is expected to start construction with Xinghuo railway station as the starting point. A construction trading information website sponsored by Beijing municipal government published a notice on Tuesday calling for bids to build the line. The notice said the railway, with Xinghuo station […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
Beijing set to lure more visa-free transit tourists
Beijing, 2013-08-03 – Beijing has vowed to step up promotion of its 72-hour visa-free policy, aiming to attract more foreign transit tourists following a drop in arrivals for overnight stays in the past six months. About 2.14 million tourists visited the capital during the first half of the year, a 14.3 percent decline compared with […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
Chinese FM calls for deepened, enriched China-ASEAN cooperation
Bangkok, (Xinhua) August 02, 2013 – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on ASEAN countries to join hands with China to further deepen and enrich their cooperation following 10 years of strategic partnership. He made the remark at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
Chinese Commentator: US crusade to “kill a chicken to warn monkeys”
Washington DC, 2013-08-02 – It has become increasingly clear now why the United States government is so anxious to crack down on whistle-blowers, pursuing over 20 charges against Bradley Manning, a US soldier who gave secret government and military documents to WikiLeaks, hunting down former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden who revealed the NSA’s […]
more…3 Aug, 2013
Han Chinese Becoming Fluent in Uygur, Building Understanding, Culture
Xinjiang, 2013-08-02 (China Daily) It was after 10 pm in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Zhu Xiaomei had just finished her Uygur language evening class, which she has been attending after work for almost a year. A student reads a Uygur book at Xinzhou training school in Urumqi. Photos by Yao […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
WSPA report: As industrialisation grows, cows fading from European landscape
LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As cows disappear from the landscape of Europe at an increasing rate, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA (http://www.wspa-international.org/)) believes the trend is detrimental to the health and welfare of dairy cows. And it is not necessarily financially beneficial for dairy farmers, states a new report released on 31, July 2013. The […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
Half of Chinese businesses fail within five years
Beijing, 2013-08-01, (China.org.cn) – Half of Chinese businesses fail within the first five years and are likely to encounter a bottleneck in three to seven years, according to a report from the State Administration for Industry and Commerce released on Tuesday. By late 2012, China had a total of 13.2 million businesses. 6.53 million businesses, […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
Indonesia Assures No Spying On Foreign Leaders During APEC Summit In Bali
JAKARTA, Indonesia Aug 1 (NNN-Bernama) — Indonesia has given an assuarance that its intelligence services will not spy on foreign heads of state during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bali in October. Spokesman for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Julian Aldrin Pasha said Indonesia as host of the summit would act ethically […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
U.S. National “Back to Church” Campaign Launched for Sunday, Sept. 15
Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) August 01, 2013 – According to a Gallup poll released in May, a whopping 75 percent of Americans think the USA would be a better place to live if more people were religious–even though many of those surveyed reported they don’t attend church themselves. One suggestion being offered to help? Come […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
Fast friends: Japanese PM hosts ‘iftar’ party for Muslim nations
Tokyo, Aug 1, 2013, (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted on Wednesday an “iftar” dinner party, inviting ambassadors and diplomats from around 40 Muslim countries to the prime minister’s office in Tokyo with the aim of deepening mutual understanding. In opening remarks at the dinner, Abe expressed a desire to visit more Muslim nations […]
more…2 Aug, 2013
Bali advised to reject World Tobacco Asia 2014 convention
Denpasar, 2013-08-01, (Bali Daily) – The Bali Tobacco Control Initiative group from Udayana University’s public health department has called on the government to reject the World Tobacco Asia (WTA) conference, slated to be held in Nusa Dua next year. “The conference in Bali is against our commitment to encourage people to live healthily without cigarettes. […]
more…1 Aug, 2013
Chinese tourists told to curb “improper behavior”
Beijing, (China Daily) 2013-08-01 – Chinese authorities are aware of the serious consequences of improper behavior by fellow countrymen overseas and are working to provide better education for those abroad in the hopes of improving the tarnished image. A government-organized teleconference on Wednesday called on authorities to guide people to abide by public order and […]
more…1 Aug, 2013
China’s restaurants re-engineer, taste renewed growth
Beijing, 2013-07-31, (China Daily) – The growth slowdown in the country’s catering industry is over, with double-digit expansion to return in the current half-year, according to the China Cuisine Association. Growth will hit 10 percent from July to December, with industry revenue of 2.6 trillion yuan ($424 billion), the association said in a report on Monday. […]
more…1 Aug, 2013
China struggles to retain talent
NANNING (Xinhua) 2013-07-30 – China’s continued loss of talented individuals is being widely discussed following a report from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) indicating that a record number of Chinese mainland students have applied to the university. The university said in a July report that a record 12,000 students from the mainland have applied […]
more…1 Aug, 2013
Single Window Clearance Planned To Promote India for Shooting Movies
New Delhi, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, 31-July, 2013 – The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will be working to mainstream a synchronized ‘Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)’ for obtaining permissions for films shooting in India for both Indian and foreign film producers. This would lead to institutionalization and standardized benchmarks for each critical stakeholder involved […]
more…1 Aug, 2013
135 U.S. Civil Rights Groups Call for End to Racial Profiling
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/31/2013) – The Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) yesterday joined other civil rights leaders at a news conference to support the reintroduction of the End Racial Profiling Act of 2013 (ERPA). Introduced earlier this year in the Senate, this bill would eliminate profiling based on race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion by federal, state, local, […]
more…31 Jul, 2013
Chinese Commentator: American cyber, hot and cold warring mentality has to go
BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhuanet) (china.org.cn) – In Aesop’s fable about the wolf and the lamb, the wolf wants to eat the lamb yet does not want to convey an unreasonable or greedy self-image. Keeping this in the back of its head, the wolf invents a series of excuses ranging from “you muddle the water from which I […]
more…31 Jul, 2013
Illegal Chinese tour firms face crackdown
Beijing, 2013-07-30 (China Daily) – Tour agencies with one-day packages will have to log on through an electronic code with bus operators, according to a plan unveiled last week by the Beijing Commission of Tourism Development. The move targets unqualified tour companies. Tour guides and bus drivers have to keep the itinerary and special code […]
more…31 Jul, 2013
Corruption Crackdown: 2,290 Chinese officials disciplined for “excessive extravagance”
Beijing, 2013-07-31 (China Daily) – More than 2,000 Party and government officials have been punished as of late June for breaking new Party rules against extravagance and excess formality, an official from China’s top anti-graft agency said on Monday. A total of 2,290 officials violated the guidelines, said Xu Chuanzhi, head of the department responsible […]
more…31 Jul, 2013
UN: Int’l Day Of Friendship Chance To Build Trust, Inspire Development Efforts
United Nations, Jul 30 2013, (UN News Centre) – Marking the International Day of Friendship, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the global community to use the potential of friendship to strengthen common bonds and inspire efforts for peace and sustainable development. “The International Day of Friendship is an important opportunity to confront the […]
more…30 Jul, 2013
Beijing plans $81b shantytown renovation project
Beijing (China Daily), July 30, 2013 – For Zhang Yingfen, 79, who lives in a small house with her 83-year-old husband and three other family members, plans to renovate shantytowns inside Beijing’s Fourth Ring Road seem to promise a great improvement in quality of life. Her one-story house of 18 square meters in Liuhaodi is […]
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