Building the future of the MDGs Ahead of the High-level event on Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 Development Agenda, on 25 September, it’s time to look back to 13 years of actions and efforts, during which UN DESA’s work has been central. To better understand the issues to be discussed this month, let’s watch our interview of Ms Shamshad Akhtar, Assistant Secretary-General of DESA. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development … [Read more...]
Thailand to Scrap Luxury-Goods Tax to Lure China Travelers
September 17, 2013 by
Thailand to Scrap Luxury-Goods Tax to Lure China Travelers Thailand’s government said it will scrap import duties on luxury watches, clothes and cosmetics to help the country compete with Hong Kong and Singapore for wealthy travelers from markets including China. The duty on some luxury goods will be cut to zero from 30 percent by the end of the year, Permanent Secretary for Finance Areepong Bhoocha-Oom told reporters in Chonburi province. Thailand’s SET Index jumped 3.6 percent, as Minor … [Read more...]
SHOCKING…inside America’s Child Exchange, Reuters reports.
September 14, 2013 by
Americans use the Internet to abandon children adopted from overseas Part 1: When a Liberian girl proves too much for her parents, they advertise her online and give her to a couple they’ve never met. Days later, she goes missing. KIEL, Wisconsin – Todd and Melissa Puchalla struggled for more than two years to raise Quita, the troubled teenager they'd adopted from Liberia. When they decided to give her up, they found new parents to take her in less than two days – by posting an ad on … [Read more...]
Children are Children – STOP this madness, Syria – Take Action!
September 14, 2013 by
First Syrian Refugees Land in Germany 'Is Hanover Near the Sea?' Some are injured, some are traumatized, but all have been forced to flee. A million Syrians have left their country because of the civil war. Germany has agreed to offer temporary asylum to 5,000, and the first refugees took off for Hanover on Wednesday. Departing from Beirut: Some 107 refugees from Syria flew from Lebanon to Germany on Wednesday. Sisters Noura and Nada lost most of their family in a rocket attack. Their … [Read more...]
SYRIA: A DISASTER FOR WOMEN
September 14, 2013 by
PETER BIRO/INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE Syria: It's a problem, a political conundrum—and a disaster for women and children, who make up the bulk of the 2 million people who have fled the country. Even when they arrive in camps in neighboring countries, female refugees find little security; instead they're often subjected to rape and sexual harassment. Shelter, water, medical care—all are in short supply in the camps. Fortunately, many international nonprofits are helping bridge that gap. … [Read more...]
Can Luxury be found in Virginia Beach?, Lorre White
September 14, 2013 by
Can Luxury be found in Virginia Beach? It had been a long time since life had called me back to the shores of Virginia with its wide soft sandy beaches and it's shallow gentile shores great for wave jumping. Virginia is a beautiful state and it's coastal region is magnificent. Each destination must be judged individually for its unique personality. Often business, family, or events cause us to travel to destinations for other reasons than a luxury quest. Mine did, so here is some notes … [Read more...]
Can diplomacy work with Syria?
September 12, 2013 by
International responses to the apparent use of chemical weapons in Syria continue to evolve rapidly. US plans for military intervention are on hold for now as various parties consider a Russian-led proposal-below to place Syria's chemical arsenal under international supervision. My team of Middle East, US and Russia analysts has been covering the Syrian crisis extensively, and we caution that while any non-military route is to be welcomed in principle - given the grave implications of … [Read more...]
IRAN Surprises Herself and the World, Brookings Essay
September 12, 2013 by
Suzanne Maloney is an expert on Iranian politics, energy and economic reform in the Middle East, and U.S. policy toward the region. Prior to her position as a senior fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings, she was a member of the State Department’s policy planning staff; a Middle East advisor at ExxonMobil Corporation; and director of a Council on Foreign Relations task force on America’s Iran policy. Author of Iran’s Long Reach and contributor to such works as Which … [Read more...]
Brazil’s Wealth Revolution, Lorre White
September 10, 2013 by
Brazil’s Wealth Revolution – Trends, Opportunities and Challenges As Brazil enters the global spotlight with the World Cup and Olympics on the horizon, an increasing number of luxury brands are looking at opportunities within the market. Luxury market specialists, Ledbury Research have just released three new studies exploring the spending habits and trends of high net worth individuals in Brazil. The studies, part of Ledbury Research’s Wealth Segment series, present a detailed … [Read more...]
