EU calls on Egypt to respect democratic process | Reuters

 

It is of utmost importance that (the) democratic process be completed in accordance with the commitments undertaken by the Egyptian leadership," a spokesman for EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

These commitments included "the separation of powers, the independence of justice, the protection of fundamental freedoms and the holding of democratic parliamentary elections as soon as possible", he said.

Mursi's decree on Thursday also shielded from legal challenge an Islamist-dominated assembly writing Egypt's new constitution, as well as the upper house of parliament, which is dominated by Islamists allied to Mursi.

Mursi's aides said the move, which also gave the president new powers that allowed him to sack the Mubarak-era prosecutor general and appoint a new one, was to speed up the country's protracted transition that has been hindered by legal obstacles.
But the declaration raised fears among secular-minded Egyptians that the Muslim Brotherhood, where Mursi has his roots, and the group's allies aim to dominate the new Egypt.



EU calls on Egypt to respect democratic process | Reuters

Is Obama Selling Out the King of Jordan to the Muslim Brotherhood?

Jordan is one of the remaining “moderate” states in the region, not because it’s an especially wonderful place, but because after the Arab Spring, much of the region has gone Islamist. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is reasonably moderate and friendly to America mainly because it has no other options, with no oil and surrounded by larger countries that would love to gobble it up, it had no choice but to swap out its dependency on the UK for a dependency on the US.

The Muslim Brotherhood would love to take over Jordan, as they have taken over Egypt, with Obama’s assistance, and as they are trying to take over Syria. But the United States appeared to have exempted Jordan from the Jihad of the Arab Spring. Until now...


Is Obama Selling Out the King of Jordan to the Muslim Brotherhood?

Jihadist calls for destruction of Pyramids | GulfNews.com

Jihadist calls for destruction of Pyramids | GulfNews.com

Revolution Brings Hard Times for Egypt's Treasures - NYTimes.com

Zahi Hawass, who was promoted to become minister of antiquities in a cabinet shake-up as the revolution got underway, was among the first people to make his way to the Egyptian museum as protests broke out in Tahrir Square.

But fast forward almost two years, and Mr. Hawass, who has been replaced as minister, has spent months as the target of an investigation into corruption allegations that he has denied.

“The most important thing Egypt doesn’t have is a strategy,” Mr. Hawass said in an interview in his Cairo office, lined with glossy Egyptology books, several of which he has written himself.

Mr. Hawass, whose normally bright white hair was dyed with a purple tinge, appeared emotional at times, with his voice breaking and eyes tearing up.

“I’m not a politician, I’m an archaeologist for everyone. What is more important, above anything else, is not me or the people, it’s the monuments,” he said.

Mr. Hawass, who often likens himself to Indiana Jones, was one of Egypt’s top archaeologists while also earning himself a celebrity reputation through his often flamboyant behavior. Since the revolution, he has come under attack because of his closeness to the former regime and allegations that he profited from deals relating to his archaeological work.

Dismissing those attacks, he said Egypt’s heritage was better protected under his watch than now.

“I had the passion and the determination,” he said. “ I’m not sure the people who are doing the job now have it.”

Revolution Brings Hard Times for Egypt's Treasures - NYTimes.com

Netanyahu: Our Hand Grasps the Sword of David - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu invoked King David in a statement Tuesday evening – signaling that he is serious about ordering an intensification of the attack on the terrorists of Gaza.

"Our hand is outstretched in peace to those of our neighbors who want to make peace with us," Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office, "and the other hand is firmly grasping the sword of David against those who wish to uproot us from this country."

Netanyahu: Our Hand Grasps the Sword of David - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News

Religious Liberty Dies at Hobby Lobby | Denny Burk

 

When the controversy over the abortion mandate erupted earlier this year, the American public by and large got the impression that this was about conservatives who wanted to ban contraception. Nothing could be further from the truth. No one wants to outlaw contraception. This controversy is about the fact that the government is forcing pro-life business owners to pay for chemical abortions.


Religious Liberty Dies at Hobby Lobby | Denny Burk

Bionic Mannequins Spy on Shoppers to Boost Luxury Sales - Bloomberg

Store mannequins are meant to catch your eye. Soon you may catch theirs.
Benetton Group SpA is among fashion brands deploying mannequins equipped with technology used to identify criminals at airports to watch over shoppers in their stores.

Retailers are introducing the EyeSee, sold by Italian mannequin maker Almax SpA, to glean data on customers much as online merchants are able to do. The 4,000-euro ($5,072) device has spurred shops to adjust window displays, store layouts and promotions to keep consumers walking in the door and spending.
“It’s spooky,” said Luca Solca, head of luxury goods research at Exane BNP Paribas in London. “You wouldn’t expect a mannequin to be observing you.”



Bionic Mannequins Spy on Shoppers to Boost Luxury Sales - Bloomberg

Maintaining Clarity Over Gaza Tactics | Israel, A Crosspost from National Review Online

 If the past is any guide, increased conflict in Gaza will be accompanied by international demands for Israeli restraint, frivolous accusations of Israeli war crimes, and perhaps even complaints to the International Criminal Court. Before the outcry even has a chance to build, it’s important to remember how the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) actually applies to Gaza.

Maintaining Clarity Over Gaza Tactics | Israel, American Center for Law and Justice ACLJ

12th-century rabbi predicted Israel’s future

• The Two WitnessesWho Are They? Where Will They Come From? Watch this Eye-Opening Video! www.worldtocome.org

JERUSALEM – Judah Ben Samuel was a legendary and prolific German rabbi of the 12th century who made some astonishing and specific predictions about the future of Jerusalem and Israel that came true.
Judah Ben Samuel, also known as Judah he-Hasid (Judah the Pious), lived and worked from the end of the 12th century until the beginning of the 13th century in Regensburg, authoring a number of books in the German language.

Ludwig Schneider of Israel Today magazine has translated some of his work into English over the last few years, including “The Book of the Pious – Sefer Hasidim” and the “Book of Calculations – Sefer Gematriyot.”



12th-century rabbi predicted Israel’s future

Alliance of Civilizations: VIVENDI : and UNAOC strenghten the intercultural dialogue

On November 19, Vivendi will for the third time receive the youth from the MENA Fellowship Program of the United Nations' Alliance of civilizations. The Fellowship Program aims to enable young leaders of the Arab world and the Muslim world to know and understand better the reality of Europe and the United States, and vice versa for young European and American leaders in the Arab and Muslim world.

Vivendi who shares with the UN's Alliance of civilizations the ambition to include the promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue in the global agenda for sustainable development, has already hosted the delegation of young leaders from the Middle East and Maghreb in September 2011 and May 2012. These meetings are an opportunity to present Vivendi's strategic orientations in terms of sustainable development and share with these young leaders the key role played by the media in building bridges between cultures while respecting human rights.

VIVENDI : and UNAOC strenghten the intercultural dialogue | 4-Traders

Alliance of Civilizations: HE Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasser receives UPF leadership and Good Governance Award

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U.K. Guardian Reports: Obama has spoken to Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it emerged on Saturday, along with Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. Both men have the “ability to play a constructive role in engaging Hamas and encouraging a process of de-escalation”, Rhodes said.

However, on Saturday, Erdogan appeared to take a different side in the conflict, despite the call from Obama. The Turkish leader on Saturday vowed support for Gaza’s Palestinians in a speech at Cairo University in Egypt. He also met Morsi for the first time since the Egyptian Islamist leader was elected in late June, with Erdogan saying that that win at the polls offered hope to Palestinians.

HE Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Nasser receives UPF leadership and Good Governance Award

Turkish, Egyptian Leaders Publicly Rebuff Obama Over Gaza Issue | Gestetner Updates

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U.K. Guardian Reports: Obama has spoken to Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it emerged on Saturday, along with Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. Both men have the “ability to play a constructive role in engaging Hamas and encouraging a process of de-escalation”, Rhodes said.

However, on Saturday, Erdogan appeared to take a different side in the conflict, despite the call from Obama. The Turkish leader on Saturday vowed support for Gaza’s Palestinians in a speech at Cairo University in Egypt. He also met Morsi for the first time since the Egyptian Islamist leader was elected in late June, with Erdogan saying that that win at the polls offered hope to Palestinians.

Turkish, Egyptian Leaders Publicly Rebuff Obama Over Gaza Issue | Gestetner Updates

Muslim Brotherhood now targeting Jordan

 

“The king has given police uniforms to 10,000 soldiers to try to maintain order,” he said.
Those soldiers-turned-police are not the only ones guarding the king. Terrorism analyst and Act for America President Brigitte Gabriel said there are U.S. troops on the ground in Jordan.

“We have actually positioned troops in Jordan to protect King Abdullah,” she said. “We’ve said that the Americans in Jordan are just there in case something happens in Syria so we can be close.”

Gabriel also said the situation has grown more intense: “The reality is, we have placed troops in Jordan so we can protect the royal family in case of an uprising which we are now witnessing before our own eyes.”

Muslim Brotherhood now targeting Jordan