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3 Feb, 2013

Good Terrorist, Bad Terrorist – Malaysian Jurist Exposes Western Double Standards

Chandra Muzaffar, President, International Movement for a Just World (JUST)

The French military operation in Mali has brought to the fore the blatant double standards in the approach of certain Western nations to the whole question of terrorism. In the case of Mali, France, with the support of Britain, Germany and the United States, has committed itself to combating diehard militants who are determined to […]

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3 Feb, 2013

Israel, a “democracy,” no-shows at UN meeting to review its human rights record

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) 29 January 2013 – The top United Nations human rights body today voiced regret at Israel’s decision not to participate in the scheduled review of its human rights record, and called on the Government to resume its cooperation with the mechanism set up for this purpose. The UN Human Rights […]

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3 Feb, 2013

Independent UN inquiry blasts Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory

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UNITED NATIONS, (UN News Centre), 31 January 2013 – An independent inquiry mandated by the United Nations has called on Israel to halt all settlement activity and to ensure accountability for the violations of the human rights of the Palestinians resulting from the settlements. The report (click here to download) of the International Fact-Finding Mission […]

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3 Feb, 2013

FREE Download: Study Finds 58% of Organizations Lack Social Media Strategy During Crises

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GLENDALE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE) – January 24, 2013 – Everbridge, a provider of interactive communication and mass notification solutions, conducted a survey of over 400 organizations spanning a variety of public and private sectors to see how emergency and crisis communications planners incorporate social media as part of their communications strategy. The survey included key stakeholders such as employees, customers […]

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3 Feb, 2013

FREE Download: Hottest U.S. Growth Industries by Decade 1890-2020

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE) – January 28, 2013 – Zurich in North America today released a new report highlighting what are anticipated to be the next decade’s Hottest Growth Industries, in collaboration with Philip Auerswald, an Associate Professor at George Mason University, adviser to the Clinton Global Initiative, and the founding president of the National Center […]

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2 Feb, 2013

PATA Thailand Chapter Debate: Is Thai Culture Good or Bad for the Thai Tourism Industry?

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Travel Impact Newswire Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil and Bangkok Post columnist Voranai Vanijaka participated in a no-holds-barred debate on this topic organised by the PATA Thailand Chapter Chairman Bert van Walbeek on 30 January 2013. They did not disagree on much, but the event certainly advanced a culture of debate within PATA and highlighted the […]

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2 Feb, 2013

FREE Download: Australian report “An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century”

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Canberra, 31 Jan 2013 (Ministry for Industry and Innovation) – The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, has welcomed the latest GE Global Innovation Barometer, which shows Australia’s standing as an innovative economy is improving. The GE Barometer shows Australia has improved its innovation ranking from 16th place in 2012 to 13th place in […]

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2 Feb, 2013

Most Countries Unprepared To Prevent, Manage Cancers, Says WHO Survey

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1 February 2013, GENEVA/LYON (World Health Organisation) – More than half of all countries worldwide are struggling to prevent cancer and provide treatment and chronic care to cancer patients, warns a recent WHO survey for World Cancer Day (Feb 4). This means, currently many of these countries do not have a functional cancer control plan […]

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2 Feb, 2013

U.N. Marks Annual Inter-Faith Week, Calls On All Faiths To Unite For Common Good

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UNITED NATIONS, (UN News Centre), Feb  1 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the followers of all faiths to work together to achieve common goals for peace, prosperity and physical and spiritual well-being, as he kicked off an annual event known as World Interfaith Harmony Week. “We live in times of turmoil and […]

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29 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: Ernst & Young Report on Looking Beyond Globalisation

Ernst & Young Media Release

Despite weak growth in 2012 and an uncertain economic outlook in many markets for 2013, globalization is still increasing among a majority of the world’s 60 leading economies according to the Ernst & Young’s annual globalization report, Looking beyond the obvious: globalization and new opportunities for growth. The report draws on two sources of original […]

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29 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: KPMG Report on “Rethinking Human Resources in a Changing World”

Source: KPMG International

A new study from KPMG International shows that the “war for talent” is crucial to almost every business in today’s competitive global markets. However, the Human Resources function is often viewed as being non-essential or ineffective. In the last several years, there has been a preoccupation with cost optimization, cost reduction, sustainable cost management – […]

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29 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: McKinsey Report on The Rise of the African Consumer

Source: McKinsey South Africa

The single-largest business opportunity in Africa will be its rising consumer market. A McKinsey report, one of the first of its kind, offers a detailed profile of African consumers, including their demographics, behavior, and needs. Executive summary Africa’s consumer-facing industries are expected to grow by $400 billion by 2020, representing the continent’s largest business opportunity. […]

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28 Jan, 2013

The Indian Hotel Group Where GMs “Speak” Sign Language

By Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor

When Rahul Pandit, President and Executive Director of Lemon Tree Hotels, spoke at a panel discussion organised alongside the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exhibition (SATTE) in New Delhi on January 16, the theme topic was how to forge “mutually beneficial partnerships” in the industry. However, he had a different take on the term.“We Indians […]

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28 Jan, 2013

UK Consumers Launch Landmark Legal Case Against Alleged Google Snooping

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LONDON, January 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — A group of internet users has launched a landmark privacy case against Google for allegedly undermining the security settings on Apple’s Safari browser to track online usage covertly. In the first case of its kind in the UK, a number of people with concerns about Google’s alleged behaviour have […]

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28 Jan, 2013

China Set to Grant Five-year Multiple Entry Visas

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Beijing, 2013-01-16, (China Daily) – Multiple-entry visas, valid for up to five years, will soon be on offer in a bid to attract more top talent. The Exit and Entry Administration Law, which comes into effect in July, will also introduce a six-month visa for short-term hires. Zhang Jianguo, director of the State Administration of […]

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28 Jan, 2013

Better Services Suggested To Build on China’s New 72-hour Visa-free Policy

By Zheng Xin (China Daily)

Beijing, 2013-01-25, China Daily – The capital should study passenger flow and draw up supporting services to complement Beijing’s 72-hour visa-waiver offer, a political adviser has said. Despite the opportunities that have arisen through the visa exemption policy introduced on Jan 1 – tourists from 45 countries may stay in the capital for three days […]

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28 Jan, 2013

China to internationalise renminbi on market-oriented basis: central bank vice governor

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DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) — China is determined to pursue the internationalization of the renminbi on a market-oriented basis, and will closely watch the spillover effects of Japan’s ultra-loose monetary policy, Yi Gang, a vice governor of China’s central bank, told Xinhua. “It is the basic policy of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) […]

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28 Jan, 2013

3.4 billion trips projected as Spring Festival travel rush kicks off across China

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BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) — Chinese authorities added extra travel contingencies to ensure the smooth kick-off on Saturday of the world’s largest annual migration that starts before the Lunar New Year. Railway authorities arranged 358 more passenger trains on Saturday to start handling the estimated 5.2 million daily trips over the next 40 days’ peak […]

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24 Jan, 2013

Indian Railways to Launch Indigenously Developed AC Double Decker Coach

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New Delhi, Ministry of Railways, 24 January 2013 – Indian Railways, the prime transport organisation of the country which carries 23 million passengers and 2 million tonnes of freight every day to the nook and corner of this vast sub-continent, will be celebrating the 64th Republic Day on 26 January by presenting a tableau of […]

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24 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: Study Shows U.S Families Are Making Time to Eat Together At Home

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CONCORD, Mass. – January 22, 2013 – (BUSINESS WIRE)–The new year is beginning with significant societal challenges (from the national debt crisis to the stability of the middle-class) along with concerns that continue to burden American families (from busy schedules to eating healthier). On February 12, President Obama will provide his State of the Union […]

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24 Jan, 2013

Doha Conference Declaration Calls for Global Network for Dialogue and Debate

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DOHA, Qatar – January 24, 2013 – (BUSINESS WIRE)–The 4th International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment, organized by Qatar Debate in cooperation with the Slovenian Institute for culture of dialogue, International Society for the Study of Argumentation-Netherlands, World Debate Institute, and the International Center for the Advancement of Political Communication […]

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24 Jan, 2013

CareerBuilder Survey Reveals What Motivates Workers to Stay With Companies

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CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — If you could have one perk – any perk – in your workplace, what would it be?  If you had the choice, would you rather have a bigger title or a bigger office? If you were thinking about leaving your company, what would make you stay? A new CareerBuilder survey explores […]

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24 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: American Dream 2.0 Report Declares High College Failure Rate a National Crisis

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Facing a growing national crisis in which 46 percent of those who enter a U.S. college fail to graduate within six years, a first-of-its kind coalition of national leaders issued a call to action to make the financial aid system work better for students and the country. The double jeopardy […]

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24 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: Global Corporate Ethics Report, Designed to Address the “Trust Deficit”

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NEW YORK, ethisphere.com media release, 24 Jan 2013 – As public trust in government and governing officials steadily declines,  so too does public confidence in the “ethical” behavior of corporations.  Part reality, part perception:  while the speed and transparency of the digital age contribute to this regrettable trend,  there is no shortage of reported corruption […]

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24 Jan, 2013

EU launches clean fuel strategy, plans alternative fuel stations across Europe

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Brussels, 24 Jan 2013 – European Commission Press release – The European Commission today announced an ambitious package of measures to ensure the build-up of alternative fuel stations across Europe with common standards for their design and use. Policy initiatives so far have mostly addressed the actual fuels and vehicles, without considering fuels distribution. Efforts […]

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23 Jan, 2013

China’s First 3D Printing Museum Opens

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January 19, 2013 – (China.org.cn) – China’s first 3D printing museum was opened at the Beijing DRC Industrial Design and Creative Industry Base on Jan. 15, 2013, giving visitors a chance to experience this amazing 3D technology, according to Beijing Evening News. In a bid to gain some full-on experience, visitors can have their entire […]

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23 Jan, 2013

FREE Download White Paper: Hospitality Sector Offers Solutions to Youth Jobless Crisis

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DAVOS-KLOSTERS, Switzerland–22 Jan 2013–(BUSINESS WIRE)–At a time when more than 75 million young people can’t find jobs, and countless more are underemployed, investing in opportunities for youth is not only a critical development issue but also a growth strategy for businesses around the world. In response to this challenge, Hilton Worldwide will announce at the […]

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23 Jan, 2013

Call for Global Hotels, Restaurants to Join U.N. Campaign To Cut Waste, Reduce “Foodprint”

UNEP Media Release

Geneva, 22 January 2013 – Simple actions by consumers and food retailers can dramatically cut the 1.3 billion tonnes of food lost or wasted each year and help shape a sustainable future, according to a new global campaign to cut food waste launched today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Food and Agriculture Organization […]

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23 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: UN Report Says Eurozone’s Debt Crisis, Austerity Policies Killing Growth

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UN News Centre, 17 January 2013 – The debt crisis of the Euro zone, slowing external demand and high oil process continued to depress Europe, while austerity policies throughout the industrialized world will not keep the world economy from slipping back into recession, according to an annual UN report published today. “The euro area is […]

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23 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: ILO Report Warns Of Second Jobs Dip

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Geneva, 21 Jan 2013 – The International Labour Organisation has released its Global Employment Trends 2013 Report. Five years after the outbreak of the global financial crisis, the study offers the latest global and regional information and projections on several indicators of the labour market, including employment, unemployment, working poverty and vulnerable employment. It also […]

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23 Jan, 2013

Labour Leaders Blast Global Leaders, Elite Bankers for Global Jobs Crisis

22 January 2013 (ITUC Media release): Labour leaders are at the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week to make the case for new policies to make jobs and equality cornerstones of the global economy. The annual Davos meeting gives the business and financial community the chance to show their hand […]

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21 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: World Economic Forum Report on Future of Globalization

World Economic Forum Media Release

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 21 January 2013 – The Outlook on the Global Agenda 2013 report outlines the key problems of the future and provides insights into how they might be tackled today, as leaders prepare to convene in Davos-Klosters for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The challenges of globalization, economic growth, geopolitics, hyperconnectivity, the post-2015 […]

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21 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: World Economic Forum Report on Challenges of Green Growth

World Economic Forum Media Release

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 21 January 2013 – Scaling up public sector funding by as little as US$ 36 billion in annual spending could unlock the private capital needed to close the green investment gap worldwide, leading to sustainable economic growth that attains global climate change goals. At a time when extreme weather events are increasingly frequent […]

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20 Jan, 2013

India Outbound Boom Lifts SATTE, Heats Up Asian Travel Fair Competition

Imtiaz Muqbil at the SATTE Travel Fair

New Delhi: The South Asia Travel & Tourism Exhibition (SATTE), which ended here on Jan 18, was launched in 1993 as an inbound show but is now veering heavily towards outbound. Bought by UBM India in 2011 and first executed under the new ownership in 2012, this year’s well-attended show will heat up competition among […]

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18 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: FHRAI’s Indian Hotel Industry Survey 2011-12

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New Delhi – Just a few days before the opening of SATTE 2013, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) published the 15th annual edition of the Indian Hotel Industry Survey, in cooperation with HVS Hospitality Services. The survey includes in-depth information about the performance of hotels across various cities and provides […]

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17 Jan, 2013

Global Ministers Urged: Cite Domestic Tourism as a “Performance Indicator”

Imtiaz Muqbil at the SATTE Travel Fair

New Delhi – Tourism ministers worldwide have been urged to start paying more attention to domestic tourism as a means of measuring the performance of their respective industries. Instead of constantly tracking foreign visitor arrivals, they would be far better off investing in the statistical and research tools to quantify domestic tourism and its ability […]

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16 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: Study Reveals Shift in U.S. Meeting Trends

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SAN DIEGO- 14 Jan 2013 – (BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. meetings industry has recovered from the corporate travel cutbacks of the 2008 recession, but meetings will never be the same, according to a new study by The ACTIVE Network, Inc. (NYSE:ACTV), the leaders in Activity and Participant Management™ (APM) solutions. ACTIVE Network’s Business Solutions Group studied […]

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16 Jan, 2013

More Americans killed in gun deaths than in terrorist attacks – CNN.com Blogs

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It has now been one month since the grieving families of Newtown, Connecticut put their children on the school bus, only to have them never return. Teachers, of course, were victims too – but all of the lives lost in that American school massacre are just a small fraction of the total number of gun […]

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16 Jan, 2013

Almost a third of Britons cannot afford a holiday, poverty report shows – Guardian

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Almost 30% of people in Britain are unable to afford even a week’s annual holiday, up from less than a quarter before the financial crisis, according to an analysis by the Office for National Statistics , which reveals the day-to-day struggle facing many families. The finding is part of a wider report comparing levels of […]

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15 Jan, 2013

OECD Stats Show “Signs of a Turning Point” in Global Economies

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Paris, OECD News Release 14/01/2013 – Composite leading indicators (CLIs), designed to anticipate turning-points in economic activity relative to trend, show signs of stabilising economic outlook in most major economies. In the United States and the United Kingdom, the CLI continues to point to economic growth firming. In China and India, signs of a turning […]

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15 Jan, 2013

Net U.S. Room Supply Growth A Fractional 0.5% in 2012 – STR Report

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HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee, 14 January 2013, (STR Press Release) —The U.S. hotel industry during 2012 opened 407 new properties with 43,865 rooms, according to data from STR/McGraw Hill Construction Dodge Pipeline Report. “Net U.S. room supply growth in 2012 should be 0.5 percent when the final numbers are in, the second consecutive year of very low […]

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15 Jan, 2013

Man on FBI’s no-fly list sues U.S. Govt – OregonLive.com

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A 56-year-old Tigard man is challenging his inclusion on the government’s no-fly list after being stranded last year in Tunisia as he tried to jet home from a humanitarian mission in his native Libya. Jamal Tarhuni, a naturalized U.S. citizen, accuses U.S. government officials of violating his civil rights. He alleges in a federal lawsuit […]

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12 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: Report says Half of Global Food Ends Up As Waste

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LONDON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) — As much as 50 percent of all food produced around the world ends up as waste, a new report said on Thursday. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers said in its latest report on “Global Food Waste Not Want Not” found that “between 30 percent and 50 percent or 1.2-2 billion […]

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12 Jan, 2013

Asian Century Rising: At First Gandhi Lecture in Bangkok, Indian Activist Promotes “Soil Not Oil”

Imtiaz Muqbil, the only travel industry journalist to cover this historic lecture

Bangkok (14 December 2012) – India’s highly-decorated social and environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi lecture series in Thailand on 14 December 2012 with a call for a Gandhian satyagraha against attempts by global agricultural and pharmaceutical corporations to control the global food and medicine chain. Warning that agricultural dependency on pesticides, […]

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12 Jan, 2013

Viet Nam Targets 7.2 mln Arrivals in 2013

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Ha Noi, (TITC / Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism) – On January 4, in Ha Noi, Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) organized a conference to carry out action plan in 2013. The event had the presence of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) Hoang Tuan Anh, Deputy Minister of MoCST Ho […]

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11 Jan, 2013

New CDC Vital Signs Report Reveals Nearly 14 Million U.S. Women Binge Drink

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Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 11, 2013 – Binge drinking is a dangerous behavior that can lead to tragic circumstances. It’s not often recognized as a women’s health problem but nearly 14 million U.S. women binge drink about three times a month, and consume an average of six drinks per binge, according to a Vital Signs […]

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11 Jan, 2013

China’s 2012 tourism revenues to top US$408 bln

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CHENGDU, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) — Tourism revenues in China are expected to top 2.57 trillion yuan (407.94 billion U.S. dollars) in 2012, up 14 percent year on year, the country’s tourism chief said Thursday. Domestic tourism markets reported 2.22 trillion yuan of revenues in 2012, up 15 percent year on year and 2.9 billion domestic […]

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11 Jan, 2013

China Signals Bid to Fix “Unfavorable” WTO Rules

By Tu Xinquan (China Daily)

January 11, 2013 – When China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, one of the frequently mentioned benefits was that China could get a better export conditions through using world trade rules to reduce disputes. The author is deputy director of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and […]

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11 Jan, 2013

Tibet receives over 10 mln tourists in 2012

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January 11, 2013, (Xinhua) – Southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region witnessed booming tourism in 2012, with tourist arrivals hitting a record high of over 10 million thanks to improved transportation and government promotion. The number of tourists visiting the region surged 21.7 percent year on year to 10.58 million, sources from the region’s tourism bureau […]

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11 Jan, 2013

First Travel Mart To Be Held Jan 18-20 in India’s Restive Northeast Region

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Ministry of Tourism, 10-January, 2013 – The Union Ministry of Tourism will organise an International Tourism Mart at Guwahati from 18-20 Jan. Announcing this at a press conference in New Delhi today, Union Tourism Minister Mr. K. Chiranjeevi said that this will not only be the first ever International Tourism event to be organised in […]

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11 Jan, 2013

India to Market Itself as “Land of Pi”

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Ministry of Tourism, 11-January, 2013 – Recognizing the importance of cinema as a powerful tool for the development and promotion of various tourist destinations, Union Tourism Minister Mr. K. Chiranjeevi announced, several initiatives for promoting “Film Tourism” through films shot in India. Announcing this in New Delhi today the Minister said that a “Land of […]

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11 Jan, 2013

Paying the Price of War: U.S. Veterans’ Children Suffer from Birth Defects

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ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Birth Defect Research for Children (BDRC) has been tracking the increased incidence of birth defects and developmental disabilities among children of U.S. military veterans since 1990, and is asking the public for help in garnering support for a Children’s Research Center to study the phenomena. BDRC started a petition […]

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10 Jan, 2013

Indian Diaspora Pushes for an “Air Kerala” to Boost Links With Gulf

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas media release

KOCHI, January 7, 2012 – The Government of India and the Government of Kerala today assured Non-Resident Indians, NRIs, in the Gulf, particularly, Malayalis, that their demands for better air connectivity to Kerala, grant of voting rights in local bodies, and liberal baggage and gold allowance, would be addressed on priority. Inaugurating a seminar on […]

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9 Jan, 2013

India Tourism Woos Diaspora with Incentives, “Conducive Environment”

PBD Media Release

KOCHI, January 8, 2013. Incentive investors and give them a conducive environment and smoothen the approval processes and witness the surge of investment in the tourism sector, both from overseas and domestic investors. This was the message that tourism professionals conveyed to the Government at a pre-PBD  Seminar on Tourism on the occasion of the […]

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9 Jan, 2013

India’s 2012 Tourism Forex Earnings + 21.8%, Arrivals +5.4%

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Ministry of Tourism, 08-January, 2013 – Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from Tourism during the year 2012 showed an increase of 21.8% as compared to FEEs of 2011. Foreign Tourist Arrivals ( FTAs) in the country also registered an increase of 5.4% during the year 2012 as compared to FTAs of 2011. The following are the […]

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9 Jan, 2013

Top 10 Best Tourist Destinations of China in 2012

By Lu Na, China.org.cn

January 6, 2013 — Thanks to its long history, many scenic spots and superb services as well as accommodations, Beijing, the capital of China, ranked number one on the list of 2012 best city for tourism on Chinese mainland, according to a report recently released by Forbes China. Tourism is known as the “Smokeless Industry” […]

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9 Jan, 2013

FREE Download: UFI’s 10th Global Barometer of the Exhibition Industry 2012

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Paris – January 7, 2013: Results of UFI’s 10th Global Barometer survey broadly confirm that the exhibition industry continues to grow with a majority of companies reporting increased turnover for 2012. Reviewing the consolidated results over ten surveys, UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, now perceives a clear shift between the two regions […]

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6 Jan, 2013

Chinese Eye US Trip for Upcoming Long-Holiday in Feb

By Chen Jia in San Francisco & Wang Wen in Beijing

Beijing, 2013-01-05 (China Daily) – With the most important Chinese holiday approaching in February, many Chinese have begun signing up for travel to the United States, adding to a major source of US tourism. Chinese and US travel agents are monitoring the burgeoning market of middle-class Chinese families making trips during an otherwise slow winter […]

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6 Jan, 2013

China’s Top Ten Internet Trends for 2012

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(People’s Daily Online) January 04, 2013  (Xinhua) 1. First five-year plan for China’s Internet industry The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China released the “12th Five-year Plan for Internet Industry” in May 2012. The plan is made to innovate the application system, combine the informationization with industrialization, build “broadband China,” promote the overall […]

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6 Jan, 2013

Maldives, Thailand Top Destinations Forecast in Kuoni Report 2013

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UK tour operator Kuoni has released its Travel Trends Report 2013 and it reveals that hand-picked hideaways, secluded villas, pampering hotels and private islands are the order of the day, in destinations spanning the exotic Far East and Africa, magical Indian Ocean, and colourful USA, Caribbean and Mexico. These long-haul destinations have constant appeal but […]

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3 Jan, 2013

A Dream Fulfilled in Amritsar: Reflections on Spiritual Travel, Peace & Conflict

Amritsar: On 26 December 2012, I visited the spectacular Golden Temple, the holiest spot of the Sikh faith. The visit to this revered site in Amritsar, the commercial capital of Punjab province in Northern India, fulfilled a lifelong dream to walk the sacrosanct grounds of the world’s primary holy spots at least once in my […]

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2 Jan, 2013

One Death Every Four Minutes on Indian Roads

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New Delhi (Press Information Bureau) – The 24th road safety week from 1st January to 7th January 2013, will be under the theme “Stay Alive, don’t drink and drive”.  The valedictory function of 24th Road Safety Week will be held on 7th January 2013 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. “Road Safety Week” is observed all […]

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30 Dec, 2012

A Message From the Chair of Jewish Voice for Peace

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This is what I know: Each of us has the power to change – and when we do, the world changes, too. I know this because I changed. My name is Rebecca Subar, and I’m the Board Chair of Jewish Voice for Peace. It’s a role that would have seemed ridiculous 30 years ago when I […]

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30 Dec, 2012

NY Subway Murder: Anti-Muslim Ads Lead to Horrendous Hate Crime

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Washington, DC | www.adc.org | December 30, 2012 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is appalled and shocked at the horrendous murder of Sunando Sen, who was pushed onto the tracks of an elevated subway station in Queens, NY and crushed by an oncoming train, on Thursday, December 27.  ADC extends deepest condolences to the […]

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30 Dec, 2012

Oliver Stone to RT: ‘US has become an Orwellian state’ — RT

Oliver Stone: One million top security clearances. That is a pretty heavy number. In other words, we are living in a fish pond and I think the sad part is that the younger people accept that. They are used to the invasion. And that is true, how can we follow the lives of everybody? But […]

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29 Dec, 2012

China Seeks to Build People’s Gross National Happiness

Yan Bing, Pang Sheng, Zhou Yongbing

December 27, 2012, (People’s Daily Overseas Edition) – 2012 has been an eventful year for China and the rest of the world. Many topics are worth noting, including the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Chinese dreams, Mo Yan’s Nobel literature win, the remote national college entrance examination, and aircraft carrier style. […]

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29 Dec, 2012

Shanghai to be China’s Second Duty-Free Shopping Region

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December 27, 2012, Shanghai Daily / Xinhuanet – SHANGHAI is to become the second region on the mainland to allow duty-free shopping for individuals traveling domestically, part of the city’s efforts to become an international trade center, according to a guideline that takes effect on January 1. “The city will explore tax rebates on departure […]

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29 Dec, 2012

China Outlines Economic Policies for a Promising 2013

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(Beijing Review) December 27, 2012 –  As the end of the year is drawing near, Li Xuesong breathed a sigh of relief, for China’s economy had finally bottomed out and began to rebound after a slowdown spanning seven seasons. It is still hard to say how long the rebound will last. At the conference analyzing […]

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25 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: EU Unveils Job-Creation Manifesto for 2013

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Brussels, European Commission News Release, 24 12 2012 – The Commission sets out its plans for 2013, with a focus on returning the EU to growth and getting people back to work. Around 50 new initiatives (click on the link to download free) are to be tabled during the year and the first part of […]

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25 Dec, 2012

The Burial Of Bethlehem – By Prof William A. Cook

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23 December, 2012 – Countercurrents.org “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2) A few days ago I received this plea from Samuel Dowell, a cry from the […]

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18 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: Site Foundation Forecast for the Motivational Events Industry

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The Site International Foundation has released results of the latest Site Index Annual Survey. The Site Index compiles and compares data over a number of years to track changes and forecast trends in the motivational events industry. This third year of the study measures movement in key indices as well as introduces new topics of discussion. “The […]

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18 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: UN Asia-Pacific Economic and Social Survey 2012 Year-end Update

UN ESCAP Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section

Bangkok, 14 December 2012 – Development in Asia and the Pacific is increasingly being affected by the ongoing slowdown in the global economy as well as structural problems within the region’s economies, according to latest United Nations macroeconomic projections and policy advice released here today. Growth in the developed world continued to slow during 2012 […]

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16 Dec, 2012

China to continue property controls in 2013

Xinhua

BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) — China will continue its property market control policies next year, according to a statement issued Sunday after a two-day central economic work conference held in Beijing. The country will step up the construction and management of low-income housing, as well as the renovation of run-down areas, according to the conference, […]

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16 Dec, 2012

Suspect Suspended in Air India Charters Cabin Crew Roster Malpractice Probe

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Ministry of Civil Aviation, 14-December, 2012 –  Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh has taken a serious note of the complaints of irregularities, corruption and malpractices in the Cabin Crew Roster Section of Air India Charters Ltd. (AICL) and has ordered penal action against the officials involved. When a complaint in this regard […]

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16 Dec, 2012

India, Pakistan Move to Ease Visa Curbs, Boost Bilateral Business and Trade

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New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs, 14-December, 2012 – Mr. Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister of India and Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Pakistan Interior Minister jointly operationalized the new Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan on 14 December, 2012 at New Delhi. However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15 January, 2013 and the Group […]

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16 Dec, 2012

Indian, Chinese Real Estate Giants Sign US$1.5 billion Tie-up Deal

By Wang Ying in Shanghai (China Daily)

Shanghai, 15 Dec 2012 – The Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group, a well-known commercial property developer, has decided to cooperate with Reliance Group, a large conglomerate led by the Indian billionaire Anil Ambani, to develop real estate projects in India. A worker at Wanda Plaza in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province. Dalian Wanda Group has […]

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16 Dec, 2012

2013 CFO Outlook: Worry about the “Fiscal Ciff”, Curbs on Travel Costs

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– December 11, 2012 – With an eye toward seizing opportunities in 2013, a majority of senior finance executives in the U.S. plan to invest in their companies to drive growth and expect to achieve higher revenues and profits next year. In fact, a new American Express survey of 200 U.S. CFOs and […]

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16 Dec, 2012

Workers in 10 Countries Call for an End to the Silencing of Workers at Walmart

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MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–December 14, 2012 – US Walmart workers were joined by Walmart workers in nine countries on Friday to call for an end to Walmart’s attempts to silence workers for speaking out for changes at the world’s largest employer. As Walmart workers and community supporters marched in front of a Walmart store in Miami, workers […]

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15 Dec, 2012

PATA, Saved By A Crisis-Free Year, Lays Plans for 2013

Bangkok – Saved from collapse by the absence of a global crisis in 2012, the Pacific Asia Travel Association is looking ahead to 2013 with fingers crossed.  Specific plans falling into place could help it turn the corner and regain financial stability. An annual conference has been set for Bangkok between April 26-30, the annual […]

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13 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: IATA Study Sees Travel Distribution Transformed by 2017

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Geneva (IATA Media Release) 13 Dec 2012 – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the publication of an independent study identifying major trends that are transforming the travel distribution landscape. The Future of Airline Distribution – A Look Ahead to 2017 was commissioned by IATA and written by Henry H. Harteveldt, co-founder of Atmosphere […]

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13 Dec, 2012

Chinese Young Consumers Boost Online Shopping Spree

Edited and translated by Liang Jun, Huang Beibei and Ma Xi, People's Daily Online

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online / China Youth Online), December 12, 2012 – Cui Wanzhi, a 36-year-old man, owns four stores on Taobao and one store on Tmall, two websites operated by the Alibaba Group. On this years’ Singles Day, November 11, Cui’s five online shops realized some 35,000 transactions worth millions of yuan. But his […]

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13 Dec, 2012

India Sets Visa Rules for Pakistan Cricket Fans

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Ministry of Home Affairs, 11-December, 2012 — Central Government has granted permission for hosting the India-Pakistan Cricket series involving 3 One day internationals and 2 Twenty-20 matches from 25th December, 2012 to 6th January, 2013 in India. It has been decided that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would send 50 VIP tickets […]

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13 Dec, 2012

Turkey supports Palestine to join UN agencies: Palestinian FM

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RAMALLAH, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) — Turkey will support Palestine, now a non-member observer state in the United Nations, to join other bodies of the international organization, Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Riad al-Maliki said Wednesday. Turkey offered the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) a team of experts to advise on legal and political dimensions and what steps […]

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13 Dec, 2012

China: U.S. “Double Standards Harmful to Mideast Peace”

People's Daily Online Editorial

December 12, 2012 – The international conference concerning the establishment of a free zone of nuclear weapons or other mass destruction weapons in the Middle East was originally scheduled to be held in Helsinki from Dec. 18 to Dec. 20. The international community wants to help reduce security threats in the Middle East and inject […]

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13 Dec, 2012

China Upgrades Rights for Foreigners Who Get Residency

By CHEN XIN

BEIJING, Dec.12 (Xinhuanet / Chinadaily.com.cn) —  Foreigners who obtain permanent residency will have the same pension, employment and property rights as Chinese citizens, under new regulations announced on Tuesday. Access to schools for their children will also be on par with Chinese citizens the rules endorsed by central government departments in September state. The only rights […]

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13 Dec, 2012

Sunflower brings beauty, profit to small town in central Thailand

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BANGKOK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) — At this time of the year, Chong Sarika, a small town in Lopburi province, some 150 kilometers north of this capital city, comes alive as the golden hue of sunflowers that are in bloom covers the entire town. The small town in central Thailand is now dubbed as the ” […]

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12 Dec, 2012

Campaign To Avoid Infant Formula: 86 Nations Pledge to Protect Every Feeding Mother

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New Delhi, December 10 (World Breastfeeding Conference News Release): After the three day-long extensive conference, 86 countries including more than 100 representatives from 50 Governments, 30 UN representatives and 150 civil society groups successfully concluded the future strategies to put breastfeeding on the global agenda and pledged to protect every feeding mother. The Valedictory ceremony […]

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12 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: ILO Report on Global Employment Trends for Women 2012

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GENEVA, 11 December 2012 (ILO News) – Women face higher unemployment rates than men globally, with no improvements likely in the coming years, according to an International Labour Organisation report. The ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Women 2012 (click on the link to download free) looks at gender gaps in unemployment, employment, labour force participation, vulnerability, […]

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12 Dec, 2012

ASEAN, BRICS Surge Set to Help Thai Tourism Cross 20 Million Mark

Bangkok – Significant increases in arrivals from the ASEAN countries, China, Russia and India have helped the Thai tourism industry chalk up 19.7 million visitors in January-November 2012, up 13.57% over Jan-Nov 2011, according to latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism & Sports. Brazil and South Africa, the remaining two BRICS countries which […]

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11 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: Accenture Global Consumer Survey

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec 5 2012 – In 2012, one in five consumers switched companies they buy from, including wireless phone, internet service, and retailers, according to new research released today by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). This marks a five percent increase in switching over 2011 levels. However, the eighth annual Accenture Global Consumer Survey also found […]

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11 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: AirPlus Survey Outlook 2013

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ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE) — December 05, 2012 – In the latest edition of The Wire…from AirPlus, 97 corporate travel managers from the United States and Europe share their opinions about the issues that will most impact the corporate travel industry in 2013.  The Wire…from AirPlus is a monthly pulse report for the business travel industry […]

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11 Dec, 2012

Chinese Official Hopes India Will Not Be “Wooed Or Ordered By Anyone Else”

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BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo has given an interview to the resident correspondent in Beijing from Press Trust of India, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The full text of the interview is as follows: Editor’s Note Future relations between India and China will be a critical factor in […]

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11 Dec, 2012

ADB to Assist Member Nations in Implementing Islamic Finance Standards

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MANILA, 11 December 2012 (ADB News Release) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help grow access to Islamic finance in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Pakistan with a $750,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to help implement prudential standards developed by the Islamic Finances Services Board (IFSB). “Islamic finance can provide access to the unbanked and […]

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11 Dec, 2012

Shanghai Joins Beijing in 72-hour Visa-free Stay for Transit Travellers

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BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet and cntv.com) — Shanghai will allow transit passengers from 45 countries to stay in the city for up to 72 hours without a visa, following a similar announcement by Beijing. Shanghai’s municipal authorities said the transit policy was recently approved by the State Council. The city has already been offering certain […]

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9 Dec, 2012

First Forum on BRICS Economies Charts Way Forward, Mulls Development Bank

(People's Daily Online)

Beijing, December 07, 2012  – The first Forum on the Economic Situations of BRICS Countries was held in Beijing on Dec. 4, and attended by about 200 diplomats, officials, experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs from 26 countries and regions. They had an in-depth discussion of the economic situations and prospects of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, […]

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9 Dec, 2012

FREE Download: Ford Motors’ Inaugural Trend Report On Key Consumer Insights for 2013

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NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Ford is releasing its first-ever trend report, Looking Further with Ford, revealing predictions about consumer habits and behaviors expected to shape 2013 and beyond. From the return of trust in companies and brands to the rise of personal accountability, global data from Ford’s trend report suggest the year […]

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9 Dec, 2012

European Commission Issues New Guidelines to Remind Staff of Whistleblowing “Obligations”

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Brussels, 6 December 2012, European Commission Press release – The Commission has today adopted new guidelines on whistleblowing to encourage staff to come forward and report any information pointing to corruption, fraud and other serious irregularities that they discover in the line of duty. The EU already has some of the strictest whistleblowing rules in […]

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9 Dec, 2012

120 Malaysian Volunteers Enter Gaza To Provide Aid

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Gaza Strip (Palestine), Dec 7 (NNN-Bernama) – One hundred and twenty Malaysians volunteers have entered the Gaza Strip as members of the Aman Palestin Solidarity Mission 2012 to deliver donations costing RM1.8 million. The volunteers, among them professionals, artistes and students, entered the Gaza Strip at 5.40 pm local time (11.40 pm Malaysian time) Thursday […]

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9 Dec, 2012

Chinese Commentary: US Has No Right to Frequently Disturb the World

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(People’s Daily Online) December 06, 2012 – The U.S. Republican and Democratic parties have not made any substantive progress in the first round of fiscal cliff talks, arousing worries that the country may fall off the fiscal cliff. The stalled budget talks reflect significant differences between the two parties’ governance styles. Objectively speaking, U.S. politicians […]

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8 Dec, 2012

Chinese ‘Top 10 Concerns’ Survey Reflects People’s Anxiety

HEFEI, ( Xinhua) 2012-12-07 – A survey on what Chinese men and women worry about these days has revealed a gender divide, as male respondents reported worrying about not having enough money while female respondents said they fret about aging. Twenty million Internet users responded to the survey carried out by Chinese search engine Baidu, which […]

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