17 Jun, 2013
China reclaims world’s fastest supercomputer mantle
BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese supercomputer producer announced Monday that China has once again built the world’s fastest supercomputer, capable of performing 33.86 quadrillion operations per second, surpassing the U.S. Titan supercomputer. The Tianhe-2 has a peak performance speed of 54.9 quadrillion operations per second, according to the National University of Defense Technology, which […]
more…17 Jun, 2013
FREE Download: OECD Report Cites Challenges of Europe’s Ageing Population
17/06/2013 – According to a new OECD report sponsored by the European Commission. the fastest-growing age group are people over 80 whose number will almost triple by 2060, rising from 4.6% of the population to 12% in 2050 in the European Union. It is estimated that up to half of them will need help to […]
more…17 Jun, 2013
China Speaks Out: The thinking behind U.S. surveillance programs
June 17, 2013 – In the last few days, revelations about two U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance programs have caused international consternation. Two questions in particular require answers. First: how to find the right balance between national security and individual privacy? According to the White House, the purpose of intelligence surveillance is to prevent […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Global poll shows huge support for policies to curb multinational tax scams
14 June 2013 (ITUC-CSI media release): Eighty-five per cent of voters in 13 countries including six G8 economies support policies to stop large and multi-national corporates avoiding tax, according to a new public opinion poll released by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) ahead of the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland. The UK […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Corporate Pirates of the Caribbean: IPS report exposes pro-austerity U.S. CEOs seeking more tax haven loopholes
12 June 2013 (Institute for Policy Studies) – CEOs with the dubious lobby group “Fix the Debt” are pushing for cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and the social safety net, painting themselves as the good guys in the budget debate. But as they ask for everyday Americans to accept cuts, these CEOs are brazenly seeking […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Investigative Journalists Centre Releases Database Of Names Behind Secret Companies, Trusts
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a project of the Center for Public Integrity, today released an interactive database that cracks open the historically impenetrable world of offshore tax havens. The ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database allows users to search through more than 100,000 secret companies, trusts and funds created […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
U.K.’s Island Tax Havens Back Efforts to Curb Tax Evasion, Fraud
LONDON, June 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The following statement was issued today by Political Leaders of the Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands. We, the Political Leaders of the Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos, warmly welcome our […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
World Football Chief Blatter to Visit Palestine in July
RAMALLAH, June 11, 2013 (WAFA) – Sepp Blatter, president of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), is expected to visit Palestine in July to help alleviate the problems facing Palestinian athletes from the Israeli occupation, Jibril Rjoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, said Tuesday. He said in a press conference that five main […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
U.S. blind to Latin America
2013-06-13 – The Barack Obama administration and US media have made much ado about the “pivot” to Asia policy of Washington. What has largely escaped their attention, however, is that China has been lining up economic allies in the erstwhile “backyard” of the US. Just as serious competition ought to awaken one’s creative juices in […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Whistleblower pulls US into confidence crisis
2013-06-14 – US whistleblower Edward Snowden has disclosed that the US government had been hacking into computers in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland since 2009, sparking extensive discussions about the US cyber policy and its long-held accusation against China. The 29-year-old defense contractor revealed two classified National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance programs, one […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Surveillance programs reveal U.S. hypocrisy
BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhuanet) – In the past years, the U.S. Government has been blaming other countries for threatening cyber security. However, the recent leakage of the two top-secret U.S. surveillance programs of the National Security Agency (NSA) has smashed the image of the U.S. as a cyber liberty advocate and revealed its hypocrisy. Edward […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
People’s Daily Online Commentary: Security and privacy – Where to draw the line?
June 14, 2013 – A massive clandestine US program involving phone and Internet surveillance is currently being exposed in the world’s media. The technology companies which have participated in the program reportedly include Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube and Apple. PRISM is the codename of a top secret U.S. National Security Agency […]
more…16 Jun, 2013
Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You: America Declares War on World Currencies
June 14, 2013 – It can now be fully confirmed that we are in the middle of a currency war on a global scale. On April 19, the Thai baht was trading at Bt28.55 against the US dollar. At that point, Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul, the Bank of Thailand governor, almost lost his job. He’d failed […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
Now, China’s Turn to Blast Unjustified US Intelligence-Gathering
2013-06-13 – After an ex-CIA employee and former intelligence contractor, Edward Snowden, leaked to two newspapers last week that the US National Security Agency has a top secret program that collects and analyzes data from Internet users around the world, a storm of outrage has gathered and continues to blow this week. While US intelligence […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
Emerging economies closely watching capital outflows
SINGAPORE, June 13 (Xinhua) — Monetary authorities in emerging economies are closely watching the impact of the capital outflows amid market expectation that the Federal Reserve’s exit from the quantitative easing may be close, though analysts say it is most likely a short-term adjustment. It is estimated that at least 2.5 billion U.S. dollars have […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
U.S. Commerce Department Forecasts Strong Growth For Travel to U.S. 2013-2018
Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI). June 13, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) projects international travel to the United States will continue experiencing strong growth through 2018, based on the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries’ 2013 Spring Travel Forecast. Building on a record-breaking 2012, visitor volume is expected to rise […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
Assange: Snowden “a hero to all humanity”
SYDNEY, June 13 (Xinhua) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has called whistleblower Edward Snowden “a hero to all humanity”in a live video address to the University of Sydney on Thursday. “Men like Snowden have shown extreme degrees of civic courage,” he told a packed auditorium of delegates on the closing night of the 19th International […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
World Population Projected To Reach 9.6 Billion By 2050 – U.N. Report
United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Jun 13 2013 – The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050, according to a United Nations report launched today, which points out that growth will be mainly in developing countries, with […]
more…14 Jun, 2013
U.S. Polls Show Contradictory Results on Govt Wiretapping & Surveillance
In a development that could impact on their own credibility, opinion poll results by two of the United States’ best-known public opinion survey organisations have shown totally opposite views of the U.S. government’s controversial wiretapping and surveillance activities. The divergence of opinion was clearly reflected in the headlines themselves. The first poll released on June […]
more…12 Jun, 2013
China Demands, and Gets, “Mutual Respect” in Future Relations with U.S.
BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) — Although Chinese President Xi Jinping returned home Sunday, political pundits across the world are still trying to decipher the significance of his unprecedented informal summit with U.S. President Barack Obama over the weekend. During the two-day summit, staged in the picturesque Sunnylands estate in California, the two leaders spent more […]
more…12 Jun, 2013
Myanmar Must Curb “Widespread Abuses” Against The Rohingya – UN Expert
United Nations, (UN News Centre) Jun 11 2013 – The fatal shooting of three Rohingya women is the latest example of law enforcement officials operating with complete impunity in western Myanmar, an independent United Nations expert today said, calling on Government authorities to investigate the incident. “The human rights violations being committed against the Rohingya […]
more…12 Jun, 2013
WHO Director-General Blasts “Globalisation of Unhealthy Lifestyles”
United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Jun 10 2013 – Efforts to promote good health are more vital than ever given that non-communicable diseases have overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of death, a senior United Nations official said today, while also warning that they face daunting challenges, including from ‘big business’. “Today, the […]
more…12 Jun, 2013
U.S. Judge Allows Suit on Border Questioning of Muslims to Proceed
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/11/13) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced that a federal judge in Michigan has allowed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the FBI over the repeated detention and questioning of Muslims at and inside the United States-Canada border and other ports of entry to move forward. […]
more…12 Jun, 2013
CAIR: It’s Time to Tell U.S. Leaders to Stop Spying on Calls, Emails
Washington DC, Council on American-Islamic Relations, June 7, 2013 – Recent reports have revealed that the FBI and National Security Agency are “tapped” directly into the servers of the nation’s top Internet providers and collecting the phone records of millions of Verizon customers. It is strongly suspected that the federal government is also collecting call […]
more…10 Jun, 2013
Pakistan summons top U.S. diplomat to lodge “strong protest” over drone strikes
ISLAMABAD, June 8 (Xinhua) — Pakistan on Saturday summoned a top U.S. diplomat and lodged a formal protest over a recent drone strikes which killed at least seven people. A U.S. spy aircraft fired missiles on a house in North Waziristan tribal region late Friday night, the second US attack in 10 days. Last week […]
more…10 Jun, 2013
Courageous Indonesian Investigative Reporter Wins AFP’s 2013 Kate Webb Prize
Paris, June 5, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – The International News Agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) has awarded the 2013 Kate Webb Price for frontline journalism to Indonesian Investigative Reporter Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramano for his searing reportages on the bloody civil war in Syrial abd his eye-opening investigation into the murky underworld of the Jakarta […]
more…10 Jun, 2013
Pursuit of Truth Continues: Eminent New Honorary Members Join 9/11 Consensus Panel
NEW YORK, June 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Amidst growing doubts about its origins, the tragedy of September 11, 2001, continues to fuel the war on terror. Meanwhile, disturbing evidence long suppressed in the media is surfacing through the 24-member 9/11 Consensus Panel’s scientific review of official claims that 19 diminutive Muslim hijackers defeated America’s defenses. […]
more…10 Jun, 2013
“Rogue Employees” Amongst “Greatest Threats” in IT Sector – Security Professionals Survey
MANCHESTER, UK & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– June 06, 2013 – While IT security professionals recognize the threat posed by unwitting employees, many still admit to allowing administrative privileges to go unmanaged, making organizations increasingly vulnerable to malware exploits and unauthorized software, according to a survey released today by Avecto. The study, conducted at Infosecurity Europe in […]
more…8 Jun, 2013
5 dead as another domestic terrorist opens fire in Santa Monica, California
LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) — Five people, including the gunman, were killed Friday in a shooting spree in Santa Monica, California, police said at a press conference. Police revised down the death toll late Friday from earlier reports of seven. Jacqueline Seabrooks, chief of the Santa Monica police department, said the rolling wave of […]
more…6 Jun, 2013
MoneyGram Survey Alerts Summer Family Travellers To Email Scams, Fraud
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–04 June 2013 – A recent survey from MoneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI), a global money transfer company, revealed that nearly one-third of consumers aged 18-49 post details about their vacations on social media before or during their trip. Sharing summer travel plans can serve as an invitation for criminals to target family members with the […]
more…6 Jun, 2013
Australia makes its conferences more accessible for People with Disability
4 June 2013 – Australians with disability will be supported to attend conferences across the country, thanks to $350,000 from the Gillard Government under the National Disability Conference Initiative. Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Amanda Rishworth, today announced 34 conference organisers will receive grants of up to $12,000 to assist people with disability and […]
more…6 Jun, 2013
Security Contractor G4S faces storm of protest at AGM over links to Israel
London, (Palestine Solidarity Campaign Press Release) – On Thursday 6 June 2013 executives and shareholders attending the G4S’ AGM will face a storm of protest against G4S’ profiting from Israel’s illegal detention and torture of Palestinians. Human rights campaigners will gather outside the G4S Annual General Meeting to alert shareholders to the company’s complicity in […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
Myanmar Unveils $500 Million Tourism Plan
NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR (Asian Development Bank media release) 5 June 2013 – The Government of Myanmar, alongside the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Norway, today unveiled a Tourism Master Plan which outlines 38 development projects valued at nearly a half billion dollars that will help increase Myanmar’s tourism competitiveness, protect environmentally […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
FREE Download: New Research Lists Low-Cost Actions for Cutting Food Loss and Waste
Washington DC / Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) / Portland / Nairobi, 5 June 2013 – One out of every four calories produced by the global agricultural system is being lost or wasted, according to new analysis. This poses a serious challenge to the planet’s ability to reduce hunger and meet the food needs of a rapidly-expanding global […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines Agree to Work on ASEAN Common Smart Visa
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 5 June 2013 – Ministers and tourism authorities of Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Secretary of Tourism of the Philippines have expressed their intention to collaborate with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate travel in the region by developing a common smart visa system, and have signed the “Statement […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
FREE Download: World of Work Report 2013
United Nations, Jun 3 2013 (UN News Centre) – Five years after the global financial crisis, the world employment situation remains uneven with emerging and developing economies recovering much faster than most advanced countries, the United Nations labour agency today reported, warning of potential social unrest, particularly in Europe. “These figures present a positive development […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
FREE Download: The State of Global Food and Agriculture Report
United Nations, Jun 4 2013 (UN News Centre) – The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for greater efforts to combat malnutrition and hunger worldwide as the agency launched its flagship annual report, which this year focuses on improved food systems for better nutrition. In a message marking the […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
Israel Must Stop Settlements, End Occupation, U.N. Chief Tells Jewish Global Forum
United Natios, Jun 3 2013 (UN News Centre) — Israel has a right to live in peace and security, but needs to halt settlement activity and take concrete action to end the occupations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated, cautioning that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is approaching “a point of no return.” “The occupation, now nearing half […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
Surveillance Technologies Must Not Undermine Freedom Of Expression – U.N. Expert
United Nations, Jun 4 2013 (UN News Centre) – Surveillance technologies used by Governments must not violate their citizens’ privacy, a United Nations independent expert stressed today, calling on States to ensure that free expression is not compromised. “Freedom of expression cannot be ensured without respect to privacy in communications,” said Special Rapporteur on freedom […]
more…5 Jun, 2013
Chinese Premier Terms Services Vital To “Upgrades” Of Global Economies
Beijing, 3 June 2013 (UNCTAD News release) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a joint Leaders’ Summit of the Global Services Forum (GSF) and the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) on Wednesday that services sectors around the world represent the most important opportunities for growth and economic “upgrading” sought by developing countries. […]
more…4 Jun, 2013
Will the Upcoming China-U.S. Summit Lead to Cooperation or Confrontation?
June 01, 2013 – Recently, U.S. media is paying more and more attention to the upcoming China-U.S. presidential summit. On May 27, American officials visited China, paving the way for Xi-Obama meeting. Meanwhile, the 2013 Fortune Global Forum (FGF) will be held in the city of Chengdu in southwest China’s Sichuan province from June 6 […]
more…4 Jun, 2013
Tourism Academics Grapple With Need to Upgrade Their Own Innovation, Relevance
BANGKOK – When delegates turned up for a conference of tourism academics in Bangkok between 25-28 May, they were handed paper-bags as delegate kits. That’s true, literally speaking. Three students of conference organiser Siam University, and one lecturer, took hundreds of old newspapers and magazines from the University library and a local coffee chain and […]
more…3 Jun, 2013
The Tables Turn: Fiji Government Blasts Corruption in UK Government
The following statement was issued by the Fijian Government and released worldwide on 1 June 2013. Not surprisingly, it went unreported by many international media. SUVA, Fiji, June 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Bainimarama Government commends the British media for revealing corruption in the British Government. Fiji has the toughest anti-corruption record in the South Pacific. However, the […]
more…3 Jun, 2013
Pilot reform to improve China’s data credibility
Shanghai, 2013-06-01 – The central government’s fixed-asset investment reform trial in four regions across the nation will greatly improve the credibility of the nation’s economic indictors, an expert said on Friday. “Fixed-asset investment plays a key role in driving China’s economic growth, so working on the pilot reform of fixed-asset investment and ensuring accuracy of […]
more…3 Jun, 2013
Xinhua Commentary Warns: Not In U.S. Interests to Get Involved in More Conflict
SINGAPORE, June 1 (Xinhua) — It’s obvious that there is no need to pit a rising China against the United States — even as a Pacific power. Well, maybe not so obvious. At least not so to a South Korean participant at the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue who posed the question “Do you have more trust […]
more…2 Jun, 2013
FREE Download: Gallup Report Says 21st Century Skills Linked to Work Success
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Young U.S. adults who say they “often” developed 21st century skills — such as real-world problem-solving and global awareness — in their last year of school are more likely to self-report higher work quality. Gallup, in collaboration with Microsoft Partners in Learning and the Pearson Foundation, developed a 21st century skills index […]
more…2 Jun, 2013
Survey: 97% of B2B Marketers Expect Faster Pace of Change as They “Navigate Chaos”
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 29, 2013 –In a survey released today, 97 percent of business-to-business marketing leaders say they are doing new types of work, that new skills for marketers will be desperately needed going forward and that the pace of relentless change in their worlds is expected to pick up. These are among the key findings […]
more…2 Jun, 2013
Gallup Poll: Most Americans Say Religion Is Losing Influence in U.S.
PRINCETON, NJ — May 29, 2013 – (Gallup) Over three-quarters of Americans (77%) say religion is losing its influence on American life, while 20% say religion’s influence is increasing. These represent Americans’ most negative evaluations of the impact of religion since 1970, although similar to the views measured in recent years. Americans over the years […]
more…2 Jun, 2013
New Survey Defines Role For Social Media in M&A
TORONTO– May 29, 2013–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fasken Martineau, an international business law and litigation firm, released today the results of a survey of senior M&A executives primarily based in the United States that leads to some compelling observations about the growing use of social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook. The study found that some 32% […]
more…2 Jun, 2013
Most Executive Education Programs Are “Rotten, Unusable, Elitist, Soulless Products”
MALAGA, Spain, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Lies, cheat, deceit, distortion, games, hype, empty promises, a blind pursuit of profit at any price and a complete neglect of all negative externalities has poisoned the planet and humanity. The destruction of the planet, its ecosystems and the alienation of human’s from their soul and genuine inner human […]
more…31 May, 2013
Chinese Teenagers Rush for Overseas Education
May 31, 2013 (Xinhua) – China is experiencing a new craze for overseas education, featuring the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand as the top options. Students born in the 1990s and 2000s are the main participants in this current trend, opting for countries such as the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and […]
more…31 May, 2013
China Tells Germany: Do Not Judge Or Impose Views, But Seek Common Ground, Shared Prosperity
BERLIN, May 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday published a signed article on German weekly newspaper Die Zeit titled “Open Up New Horizon for China-Germany Relations.” The following is the full text of the English translation of the article: I will soon be visiting Germany again to boost China’s cooperation with Germany […]
more…31 May, 2013
China Designates Service Industry New Growth Engine
BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) — China will step up efforts to build up its service industry to make it a new engine to power sustainable growth, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday. Speaking at a summit during the second Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, Li stressed the important role of the service industry […]
more…31 May, 2013
Commentary: Chinese premier’s strong message to Europe
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — Li Keqiang wrapped up his first official visit abroad as Chinese premier on Monday with a clear and strong message to Europe: more cooperation, less protectionism. In Germany, the last stop of his four-nation tour, Li reiterated China’s firm opposition to the European Union (EU)’s plan to launch a trade […]
more…31 May, 2013
News Analysis: Hot money behind rising yuan
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — Speculative money lies behind the rising yuan as the relatively high interest rates in China in comparison to other countries are attractive to investors. The Chinese currency Renminbi, or the yuan, retreated 7 basis points to 6.1818 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, after having gained 56 basis points to […]
more…31 May, 2013
“Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint”: June 5 World Environment Day Message
The following is the full text of Special Message by the U.N. Secretary-General Message Mr Ban Ki-Moon On World Environment Day We live in a world of plenty, where food production outstrips demand, yet 870 million people are undernourished and childhood stunting is a silent pandemic. To create the future we want, we must correct […]
more…31 May, 2013
UN Panel Of Eminent Persons Releases Recommendations For World’s Next Development Agenda
(30 May 2013, United Nations News Centre) – The High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda today released “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development,” a report which sets out a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty from the face of the earth by 2030, and deliver on the […]
more…31 May, 2013
CAIR: Virginia Muslim’s No-Fly List Case Clears Legal Hurdle
On May 28, in a decision that has major implications for the U.S. government’s use of the no-fly list, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected government efforts to dismiss U.S. citizen Gulet Mohamed’s challenge to his placement on the list. In siding with Mohamed, the court rejected efforts to subject his claim to a […]
more…31 May, 2013
Chinese firm plans UKP1 billion Asian business port in East London dockland
LONDON, May 29 (Xinhua) — An agreement, worth one billion pounds (1.51 billion U.S. dollars), to transform a dockland in eastern London into a business port for attracting Chinese and Asian companies to develop in Europe was signed in London on Wednesday. ABP Chinese (Holding), a private company founded in 2003, plans to build the […]
more…31 May, 2013
Well-educated Muslim Minority Will Advance India’s Growth – Indian VP
Vice President’s Secretariat, 29-May, 2013 — Following is the text of address by the Vice President of India, Prof Dr M. Hamid Ansari at the inauguration of the “Muslim Educational Conference” in Mumbai today : I am happy to be here today to inaugurate the ‘Muslim Educational Conference’ organized by Maulana Azad Vichar Manch whose […]
more…31 May, 2013
Sydney to Host 7th Regional Caucus of Indian Diaspora
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 30-May, 2013 — The Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi, announced that the 7th Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is to be held in Sydney, Australia from 10-12 November, 2013. The theme is ‘Connecting for a Shared Future – The Indian Diaspora, India and The Pacific’. He said […]
more…30 May, 2013
Singapore, Other Financial Centres Sign Convention to Combat Tax Cheats
OECD – Paris, 29 May 2013 – As a further sign of international efforts to crack down on tax offenders, 12 more countries have signed, or committed to sign, the OECD’s Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. In addition, another 6 countries have ratified the Convention. A wide range of countries participated […]
more…30 May, 2013
New OECD Analysis Highlights Importance of Services to Global Trade
OECD – Paris, 29 May 2013 – New trade data measured in value-added terms shows that services – such as logistics, design, and transportation – are far more important to global commerce than they appear in traditional calculations of exports and imports. OECD data shows that services represented 24% of total gross trade in 2009 […]
more…30 May, 2013
“People Living in Poverty Must Have Their Say” – UN Expert Urges in New Report
GENEVA (28 May 2013) (UN NEWS CENTRE) – “Participation is a fundamental human right, not a simple policy option that policymakers can choose not to implement,” United Nations Special Rapporteur Magdalena Sepúlveda said today, presenting her annual report* to the Human Rights Council. The independent expert on extreme poverty and human rights urged world governments […]
more…30 May, 2013
Women Nobel Laureates Hold Historic Meeting, Call for Cuts in Global Military Spending
(Belfast, United Kingdom)—30 May 2013 – Six women Nobel Peace Laureates today urged G8 leaders to reduce spending on weapons of war to ensure a peaceful world for future generations. The six members of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, who gathered in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a historic international conference to discuss strategies for a nonviolent […]
more…29 May, 2013
Regulations Issued to Promote “Civilized Behavior” by Chinese Tourists
BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government on Tuesday promulgated a national convention calling on the Chinese people to take note of their behavior and act as civilized tourists when travelling. A combination of detailed regulations, the convention was issued by the National Tourism Administration and posted on the Chinese central government’s website on […]
more…29 May, 2013
UNWTO Exec Council Recommends Taleb Rifai for 2nd Term As Secretary-General
Madrid, Spain/Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, 28 May 2013 – The 95th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, meeting in Belgrade, unanimously recommended Taleb Rifai as a nominee for the post of Secretary-General for the four-year-period starting January 2014 (Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, 28 May 2013). The candidature of Mr. Rifai was presented by his country, […]
more…29 May, 2013
Public Wants Action Against MNC Tax Evasion, Trade Unions Warn OECD Ministerial
28 May 2013: Overwhelming public support for policies to create jobs, develop new industries and reduce unemployment and inequality is at odds with government actions, according to new public opinion polling from international unions. Worldwide unemployment is set to rise above 200 million, with 48 million in the OECD area alone. Young women and men […]
more…25 May, 2013
Global Sports Ministers Conf in Berlin Aims At “Clean-up” and Accessibility
UNESCO Press Release – Fighting corruption and manipulation in sport, increasing public investment, and with it the impact and standards of mega events and the provision of equal access to physical education and sport for all, will be the focus of the International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport […]
more…25 May, 2013
China Unveils Civil Aviation Plan to Break Airbus, Boeing Duopoly
Beijing, 2013-05-24 – Chinese narrow-body aircraft manufacturers will break the market duopoly of Boeing and Airbus by grabbing at least 5 percent of the domestic market by 2020, according to an industry plan unveiled on Thursday. Officials at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the plan is the country’s first national development outline […]
more…25 May, 2013
Paterson, New Jersey, First US City with Palestinian Flag on City Hall
PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, May 22, 2013 (WAFA) – For the first time in the history of American cities, the Palestinian flag was officially raised Sunday at Paterson city hall, according to witnesses. Paterson, a city of approximately 150,000 people in the State of New Jersey, has become the first American city to raise a Palestinian […]
more…25 May, 2013
Terrorism Set to Create $544.02 Billion Homeland Security Market by 2018 – Report
(PRWEB) May 25, 2013 – Global homeland security market is estimated to be US$415.53 billion in 2013 and is expected to register a CARC of 5.54% to reach US$544.02 billion by 2018, according to a new market report,”Global Homeland Security and Emergency Management Market, 2013–2018″, published by MarketsandMarkets. The cumulative market for homeland security during […]
more…24 May, 2013
FREE Download: UN Report Says Global Economic Growth Still Sluggish, “Gradual Improvement” Likely
United Nations, May 23 2013, UN News Centre – Global economic growth will continue to be “below potential” this year, according to a report released today by the United Nations that adds that job creation will be vital to spur recovery. The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 (click here for FREE download) mid-year […]
more…24 May, 2013
160+ U.S. Organizations Seek Immigration Bill Changes to End Racial Profiling
Washington DC., (23 May 2013) – A broad coalition of 160+ U.S. national, state and local organizations sent a letter today to all 100 members of the U.S. Senate to advocate for an effective and inclusive prohibition on profiling and discrimination in the immigration bill. The letter contends that the current version of the immigration […]
more…24 May, 2013
U.S. Retailers to Reject ‘One-Sided’ Credit Card Swipe Fee Settlement
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The National Retail Federation announced today that it will formally oppose a proposed settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over credit card swipe fees charged by Visa and MasterCard, and urged retailers to carefully consider their own decisions before next week’s deadline set by the court. “The proposed settlement does nothing to bring swipe […]
more…23 May, 2013
Baby-Boomer Thai-Indian Writer Pens “Simple Steps for Being Healthy and Looking Great”
Bangkok – In a world of omnipresent complexity and confusion, attempts to solve problems are often stymied by the claim: “It’s not that simple.” But Thai-Indian writer Beena Hora has penned a book proving that claim fundamentally flawed. Launched in a simple event at the private residence of Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, the book “Simple […]
more…22 May, 2013
Traditional Cultures Can Show Wasteful World How to Preserve Food
Nairobi, 20 May 2013 (UNEP Media release) – From condensing the meat of whole cow to the size of a human fist, to preserving seabirds in sealskins, there are hundreds of ways in which traditional cultures can teach the wasteful developed world how to preserve and conserve one of our most-precious yet most-squandered resources: food. […]
more…22 May, 2013
Palestinian film of love and betrayal breaks new ground at Cannes – Ahram Online
A tragic love story between two Palestinians living under Israeli occupation received a standing ovation at the Cannes film festival on Monday and broke new ground as the first film fully funded by the Palestinian cinema industry. Omar by director Hany Abu-Assad, known for the 2005 award-winning film Paradise Now, is a political thriller interwoven […]
more…21 May, 2013
Post-2015 Development Agenda: Equality, Justice, Social Security & Accountability
United Nations, May 21 2013 – United Nations independent experts today called on countries to ensure the post-2015 development agenda focuses on equality, social protection and accountability, noting that one billion people around the world are still living in poverty. “The rise of inequality has severely undermined the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, or […]
more…21 May, 2013
Rashtrapati Bhavan to levy Rs 25 for Mughal Garden tour
NEW DELHI, PTI, May 20, 2013: Come August, people visiting Rashtrapati Bhavan and Mughal Gardenswill be levied a registration charges of Rs 25 which will be spent to maintain and improve services to public. Nominal registration charges of Rs 25 will be levied upon visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan and Mughal Gardens from August 1, a […]
more…21 May, 2013
CAIR Welcomes State Department’s Recognition of Rising Islamophobia
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/20/2013) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which claims to be the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., today welcomed a new State Department report on international religious freedom, which recognizes that “[a]nti-Muslim rhetoric and actions were clearly on the rise — particularly in Europe and Asia.” According […]
more…20 May, 2013
First Industry Professional Appointed to Lead Pakistan Tourism
Islamabad: Mr. Zafarullah Siddiqui, Economic Analyst / Joint Secretary (Dev) (BS-20) has assumed charge as Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Mr. Siddiqui will look after the work of MD PTDC till appointment of a regular incumbent to this post. This […]
more…20 May, 2013
Chinese “Birth Tourists” in U.S. Facing Scrutiny
2013-05-17 – Li lives in a boarding house in the affluent California city of Arcadia, about 13 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. She isn’t alone. The other 29 units in her housing complex are either occupied or booked, all by Chinese women who are pregnant. Like Li, who declined to disclose her real name, […]
more…20 May, 2013
China cuts red-tape for self-drive, airports, education clearances
Beijing, May 17, 2013, China Daily – The State Council, China’s cabinet, on Thursday published a list of items that no longer require central government approval, or have been delegated to lower-level authorities. The cabinet’s list follows Premier Li Keqiang’s pledge to streamline the government since he took office in March. Approval required for 133 […]
more…20 May, 2013
WTO Chief Urges More Opening Of Europe Services Sector to Boost Economies
World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy, in a speech at the European Business Summit in Brussels on 15 May 2013, said that “a big part of the answer to improving European competitiveness lies in a greater and better leveraging of Europe’s comparative advantage: the size of its internal market”. He added that “a further effort […]
more…20 May, 2013
China’s UNESCO Heritage Site, Mogao Grottoes, to limit tourist flows
DUNHUANG, Gansu, May 17 (Xinhua) — The administration of the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwest China’s Gansu Province, is to introduce new measures to control visitor flows and prevent damage to the caves’ Buddhist frescoes. A stricter mechanism will be introduced in 2014 to control daily tourist volumes at the 1,600-year-old […]
more…20 May, 2013
Chinese Vice Premier stresses polite behavior by Chinese tourists
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Thursday advocated polite tourist behavior and stressed that a good image of Chinese tourists should be projected. Wang made the remarks during a teleconference held by the State Council, China’s cabinet, on implementing the new Tourism Law. Wang also urged relevant authorities to develop […]
more…20 May, 2013
Chinese Calligraphy Helps Language Learning
New York, 2013-05-17 – Two years ago, the Confucius Institute at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina initiated a trial calligraphy immersion course in a K-8 language school to accelerate their learning of the Chinese language. “Our mission is to teach Chinese language and to promote the culture,” said Yan Weihong, director of the Confucius Institute […]
more…20 May, 2013
Music Heritage Can Help India, China Bond Better
May 17, 2013 (China Daily) – The name Bombay Jayashri might not be too well known in China, but if you say “singer of the theme song of the film Life of Pi”, many realize who she is. Jayashri recently completed a six-show tour of China, and was warmly welcomed everywhere she went, in Shanghai, […]
more…19 May, 2013
U.S. Groups Blast Israeli Bias Against Americans of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim Origin
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2013 (WAFA) – Over 50 American organizations signed a letter asking US senators to oppose the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act on the ground Israel mistreats US citizens travelling to its country, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation said in a press release on Friday. It said section nine of […]
more…19 May, 2013
Worldwide Luxury Goods Market In Double-Digit Annual Growth, Tops €200 Billion
MILAN–(BUSINESS WIRE)– May 16, 2013 – Worldwide luxury goods market revenues will grow as much as 50 percent faster than global GDP, with an expectation of four to five percent growth in 2013 and five to six percent annual average through 2015, on track to break the €250 billion sales threshold by mid-decade. This according […]
more…19 May, 2013
Eight countries submit action plans to combat illegal trade in elephant ivory
Geneva, 16 May 2013 (CITES Media release) – The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has received National Ivory Action Plans from the first group of countries identified as primary source, transit and import countries affected by illegal trade in ivory: China, Kenya, Malaysia, the […]
more…19 May, 2013
U.S. Legal System Is World’s Most Costly and Primarily Benefits Lawyers: Study
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–15 May 2013 – The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today released a study by NERA Economic Consulting showing that the U.S. has the world’s most costly legal system as a share of its economy. The study (click on the link for FREE download) compared liability costs as a percentage of GDP […]
more…18 May, 2013
Harvard Business School to Convene 200+ Leaders to Discuss U.S. Competitiveness
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 15, 2013 – Today, Harvard Business School (HBS) will convene Paths Forward Boston, an event that is part of the school’s U.S. Competitiveness Project. Paths Forwardevents allow HBS faculty members to share the latest research and data on U.S. competitiveness and convene leaders in economic centers throughout the country to discuss actionable steps to […]
more…16 May, 2013
Road Safety: European Commission Speeds Up Roll-out of Info Services for Motorists
Brussels, 15 May 2013, European Commission Press release – The European Commission today adopted two regulations to promote the roll-out of ‘intelligent information services’, such as real-time warnings about dangerous road conditions ahead and information on safe and secure parking places for truck drivers. They can be provided through different means such as variable road […]
more…16 May, 2013
FREE Download: World Health Statistics Report 2013
15 May 2013 | Geneva – The world has made dramatic progress in improving health in the poorest countries and narrowing the gaps between countries with the best and worst health status in the past two decades, according to the World Health Statistics 2013. The WHO annual statistics report highlights how efforts to meet the […]
more…16 May, 2013
Trade In Creative Products Reached New Peak In 2011, UNCTAD Figures Show
Geneva, 15 May 2013, UNCTAD Media release – World trade in creative goods and services totaled a record US$624 billion in 2011, up from $559.5 billion in 2010, according to the UNCTAD Global Database on the Creative Economy. Global exports of such goods and services as arts and crafts, books, graphic and interior design works, […]
more…15 May, 2013
Kashmir Festival Being Held Until May 29
Ministry of Tourism, 13-May, 2013 – As a major initiative to promote Tourism in Kashmir Valley the Union Minister Tourism Mr K Chiranjeevi announced here today that “Kashmir Festival 2013” will be held for a fortnight from May 14 to May 29 at different places in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Minister said […]
more…15 May, 2013
Chinese Landscape Expo, With Many Garden Designs, Opens in Jinzhou
2013-05-11 – The 2013 World Landscape Art Exposition kicked off in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, on Friday, after attracting more than 300 artists from home and abroad. The exposition will showcase 20 of the best-designed gardens selected from 103 works worldwide. A performance is held at the venue of the 2013 World Landscape Art Exposition, which […]
more…15 May, 2013
China Railway to issue 150 Billion Yuan worth of bonds for funding
2013-05-10 – China Railway Corp may soon issue its first batch of bonds after it was founded in March, as railway construction across the country slowed down due to inadequate funds, 21st Century Business Herald reported. “This year’s quota for China Railway in railway construction bonds is 150 billion yuan, the same as last year,” […]
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