Tanks deploy to Egypt's presidential palace amid lull in deadly protests

• A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

After a night of violent protests across Egypt that left at least five dead and hundreds injured, Egyptian tanks deployed this morning to protect the presidential palace, marking the first time since Mohamed Morsi's power grab that the military has gotten involved.

Reuters reports that at least seven tanks and 10 armored personnel carriers from the Republican Guard, the military unit tasked with protecting the government organs, now surround the palace. The Republican Guard is ordering all demonstrators to leave the palace environs. The unit's commander, Gen. Mohamed Zaki, told the state news agency that "The armed forces, and at the forefront of them the Republican Guard, will not be used as a tool to oppress the demonstrators."

Reuters notes that small numbers of protesters against and supporters of President Morsi remain in the area around the palace, but have largely been limited to shouting at each other from afar.

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The lull stands in sharp contrast to last night, when thousands of Egyptians from both sides took to the streets and engaged in violent clashes, resulting in several deaths – Agence France-Presse reports that five people were killed, while Reuters puts the toll at seven – and hundreds of injuries. The Monitor reported last night that protesters and supporters clashed with rocks, firebombs, and the occasional gun around the palace, in a conflict that both sides see as an extension of the Tahrir Square protests last year that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

Pavement is broken up into makeshift missiles, Molotov cocktails are thrown, and fireworks are fired horizontally at the other side. At one point, a protester runs through the anti-Morsi crowd shooting in the air with a handgun. The pro-Morsi crowd appears to be firing teargas canisters, something usually reserved for the police forces....

There is nothing uplifting about the mood here tonight, which seems eons away from the jubilant crowds in Tahrir on Feb. 11, 2011, the night Mubarak stepped down. Just before the fighting started, the crowd beat up a salafi passerby (a conservative Muslim), despite his protestations that he was “not with the Brotherhood.” A minivan stuck in traffic was attacked on the suspicion that it was carrying Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

If any comparisons are made with the uprising that brought down Mubarak last year, it is with the infamous “Camel Day,” when Mubarak supporters and police attacked the peaceful pro-democracy protestors in Tahrir Square.

The Monitor noted that Essam al-Arian, head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, last night on Al Jazeera called the protests “the last battle of the revolution against the counterrevolution.”

A presidential aide told AFP that Morsi would address the current crisis in a speech later today, though no time was given. But as the Monitor's Dan Murphy wrote last night, there have been no indications from Morsi or the Brotherhood that they are backing down from plans to hold a referendum on the rushed, Islamist constitution on Dec. 15.

Egypt's sputtering transition from a military-backed, secular dictatorship to, well, something else, has now hit its rockiest point in the nearly two years since it began. Morsi's spokesman and backers have not offered any specific compromise. His Vice President Mahmoud Makki today addressed the nation, saying a referendum scheduled for Dec. 15 will move forward. Gehad el-Haddad, a senior adviser for the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood's political wing, summarized Mr. Makki's remarks as "No moving of Referendum date, no cancellation of Constitutional Declaration. Crowds do not dictate course of country, elected bodies do." ...

Michael Hanna at The Century Foundation is worried, and fears that Morsi has been emboldened by his successful role in brokering a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel last month.

"If approved in a hastily called referendum, that slipshod [constitution] will bound Egypt's political future and institutionalize its crisis. With a significant portion of the country's judges declaring a strike in response to Morsy's declaration and dueling protesters mobilizing on opposing sides, Egypt's flawed transition now risks tipping into outright civil strife and prolonged instability," he writes. "Rather than using his burnished reputation as a regional leader to forge a more consensual and stable transition back home, Morsy capitalized on the favorable international political climate by making an untenable and unjustifiable power grab that has plunged Egypt into crisis."

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Syrian refugees decamp for tough life in Jordan's cities

Sitting cross-legged on the floor of her chilly, unfurnished home, a Syrian widow explains how she sneaked out of Jordan's Za'atari refugee camp. It cost 50,000 Syrian pounds, about $700, to pay someone from outside to sneak her past the camp's security. She was allowed to pay half up-front, and had a relative in Jordan who could lend her the money.

From there she found an apartment in an urban slum: two dark, bare concrete rooms, crawling with damp. She says she lives mostly off her neighbors, who are also Syrian refugees. One of them found her a television in the garbage, and now it sits in the corner, tuned to a Syrian opposition TV station showing ghastly images of the war against Bashar al-Assad's regime back home. When a sheikh came through the neighborhood giving charitable donations to refugees, she spent hers paying off her debts.

Asked if she is glad she left Za'atari, she gestures at her surroundings.

"To live this way? It's not worth it," she says. "I will go back to Bashar, and die as a martyr. That would be much better than here, and dying in this situation."

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Though much attention has been paid to the camp, refugees in Jordan's cities outnumber those in Za'atari at least 3-to-1. And while camp life is hard, urban refugees have problems of their own.

They have to pay rent, for one thing – often on apartments that are in terrible condition, and freezing in the winter. To stay fed and housed, urban refugees need jobs, and Jordan already has 30 percent unemployment. Without work permits, refugees are vulnerable to exploitation, and many end up working for next to nothing.

Interviewees in Jordan's poor neighborhoods describe scrounging for assistance: traveling around the city and waiting in long lines to register with charities or the UN, or to pick up occasional food packages, or gifts of furniture. For those who sneaked out of the camp, accessing even the most basic services seems impossible, because they lack proper identification.

"I always encourage people in Za'atari not to leave the camp," says Massara Srass, head of the Syrian Women's Organization, which provides assistance to refugees in Amman. "The problems you will face outside of Za'atari are bigger than in Za'atari."

WAYS OUT OF CAMP

There are lots of ways out of Za'atari. Some 6,000 refugees have voluntarily returned to Syria. For some others, the government employs a system of kefala, or sponsorship: Syrians who can find a Jordanian citizen to vouch for their whereabouts and welfare can leave the camp. They call it being "bailed out."

But kefala, government and UN sources say, is reserved for refugees with humanitarian issues like illness, or those with relatives in Jordan. Since the camp opened, roughly 6,000 people have been bailed out, according to the government's spokesman for Syrian refugee affairs, Anmar Hmoud.

But in the camp, stories abound that kefala can be bought, for prices ranging from $70 to $1,400. Officials say that's not so.

"What's happening now: Some Jordanians, and most of them are criminals ... try to convince the Syrians, if they give them 500, 1,000 [Jordanian] dinars, they can bring them out of the camp in a legal way," says police department spokesman Mohammed al-Khatib.

Refugees described different ways of sneaking out of the camp: Some paid visiting workers to help them escape; others simply slipped around the fence at moments when security was lax. Most are fully aware they've gamed the system, but others seem to actually believe they've been let out legally. One woman said she had bought a kefala from a taxi driver at the entrance to one of the transit camps – but the document she produced was a photocopy of a blank kefala form, which did not have the name of a sponsor on it.

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In early November, police reported breaking up a smuggling ring that was bringing refugees out of the camp. At the time, Mr. Hmoud told the partially state-owned "Jordan Times" that 4,000 people had been taken out illegally – but that number might be low. Estimates of the number in the camp are rough at best, but of the 60,000 refugees who have entered, around half remain.

CAMP LIFE

Za'atari was opened to take some of the strain off Jordan's cities, which were overflowing with refugees. At the start, it was a bleak place: baking during the day, freezing at night, and ravaged by dust.

Today, conditions have improved. The dust problem has abated. Many of the camp's residents have been moved from tents into trailers. Heating systems, insulation, blankets and clothes are being distributed. Lines at the distributions are long, and refugees still complain bitterly of the cold, but the atmosphere is less dire.

The food, too is a subject of complaint, but the UN provides basic caloric needs, and the main street of the camp is now a thriving avenue of makeshift shops selling clothing, household goods, produce, and homemade food to those with a little cash. There are three hospitals, five clinics, and a 4,000-capacity school.

And there has been a trickle of refugees returning to Za'atari from the cities. Their number is still far fewer than those leaving: a handful a day, Hmoud says. But it may grow, as winter stretches refugees' thin budgets.

"People will always complain about the camp, but ... it provides people with protection that they don't otherwise have," says Andrew Harper, the Jordan head of the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. "Winter works both ways: It's going to be tough in the camp, but it's also going to be tough living in an unheated apartment [in a city]. So as we bring in more and more support in the camp, you'll have more and more people coming in."

But at the moment, UN officials say the majority of refugees are still happier to be outside – and there are signs that that outflow is shifting some of the burden of assistance back onto local communities. The number of people outside continues to increase, and the refugees who have been here longer are exhausting the meager resources they came with. The UN and its partners are now distributing regular cash assistance to some 4,600 families, and emergency supplements to about 1,000 more.

But for the refugees who have sneaked out of Za'atari, getting access to that aid can be a major problem. When refugees sneak across Jordan's borders at night, the police confiscate their identification papers. Those who are bailed out are supposed to be able to get their documents back, but those whose kefala is irregular often have nothing.

"If I left my home in flames and escaped to here, how am I supposed to be able to give them my passport?" she asks. "These people that have papers ... get assistance straight away … but those of us who are really in need can’t get anything … because we don’t have the right documents!"

On Tuesday, the Jordanian government announced that it would soon start giving ID cards to Syrian refugees, which they could use to access services. Announcements in local newspapers asked Syrians to come and register at their local police stations. Details of the plan are still sparse, so it is not clear whether another ID will help those most in need, or just be one more hurdle that urban refugees will need to leap.

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Bladder Control Formula Now Available to Men and Women Courtesy of Flotrol

 Bladder control formula is now available to men and women  courtesy of Flotrol. This new and all-natural support product is designed to limit the amount of restroom visits that a man or women might have without using a system of bladder support.

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
Bladder issues can happen to men and women from age or irregularity with digestion. The Flotrol company has released its new bladder control formula to help offer natural support without a prescription. Traditional treatments for weakened bladders can include medical surgery both invasive and non-invasive types.

This new and improved formula is one of the first offered to men or women that seek assistance without a treatment from a doctor.

Pregnant women could develop a weakened bowel area from the pushing and pulling of the midsection that often takes place during nine months of pregnancy. Urination issues can be common regardless of age according to research.

The muscle contractions that take place upon the emptying of bodily fluids can be one of the issues that lead to frequent urges of relief. The new control formula released is designed to promote a healthier bladder.

One of the side effects that many people receive from frequent restroom visits is emotional and psychological feelings. Research has confirmed that some conditions that involve a disruption in the natural body mechanism can be challenging emotionally if the problem persists without correction.

The all-natural ingredients that are used by Flotrol in its new formula to promote urinary tract health provides a safe alternative to surgeries or other medical corrections.

Flotrol has combined more than one ingredient into its new product that can be useful to men and women. The addition of soy and pumpkin seeds in an extract form represent two natural ingredients that have been shown to help improve excessive urination. The overactive bladder issues that men, women or mature adults can experience could be corrected using this new natural alternative exclusively sold online.

To celebrate the new announcement of this natural solution, two free bottles are now offered in select packages that are ordered directly online. These capsules are designed to provide sufficient relief for an extended period to help men and women that rely on this natural solution to observe the benefits. A complete 90-day guarantee is offered to every person that completes a purchase of this newly released product.

About Flotrol

The Flotrol parent company was founded in 2002 and offers its all-natural solutions to help men and women find better health and wellness. The ingredients used provide one of the safest ways to obtain relief outside of traditional medical procedures. The Flotrol brand is exclusively sold on the Internet to provide easy ways to purchase these relief capsules. With a team of dedicated experts, this company is helping to introduce its line of wellness and health products to more consumers in the U.S. and the rest of the world searching for holistic solutions.

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Final Day For Jason's Hope And GiveForward.com's Fundraiser To Help Jason And His Fight From A Rare Form Of Muscular Dystrophy Called Emery Dreifuss

 Today is the final day of fundraising for Jason's Hope and his fight for a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Emery Dreifuss.

(PRWEB) December 08, 2012
Jason's Hope is a fundraiser developed by Jason's mother Teresa Stokes to help raise $5,000. This morning an anonymous donor that has been emailing Jason's mother every day this week has made a final donation of $3,000 to put Jason's Hope at $6,965.00.

"In 2006, Jason was diagnosed with an unknown form of Muscular Dystrophy. Over the past six years, doctors performed DNA tests, Muscle Biopsies, Nerve Condition Tests and Echo Cardiograms, and still had no idea what form of MD Jason had." said Teresa Stoke's Jason's mother, "Jason's muscles were slowly breaking down, but his heart was healthy."

Even though this puts the Jason's Hope fundraiser well over the $5,000 they were seeking, it is still encouraged to continue to give.

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Katalistik Digital Agency Offers Clients Top-Performing SEO Solution, "LOCAL CHECKMATE"

 Katalistik has expanded the array of revolutionary digital marketing solutions the agency offers with Local Checkmate, the ultimate search engine optimization program designed to help local businesses gain the competitive edge they deserve.

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) December 08, 2012
Recognizing that many local businesses lacked the time, manpower, or expertise to manage a full-scale local SEO campaign—one that boosts brand awareness, draws in fresh sales, and offers the best quality of online content—Katalistik decided to launch a tool that allows them to accomplish all that and more on their clients’ behalf.

A 9 stage process completed over 6 months, Local Checkmate employs over 240+ of the best SEO tactics through website optimization, keyword and phrase integration, reviews, testimonials, and content linking across numerous media platforms. This comprehensive and proven approach allows Local Checkmate to provide such outstanding results.

Marc Trimble, Katalistik’s co-founder, stated: “One of the best things about Local Checkmate is that while other agencies might be able to make big claims about their SEO performance, this program lets us prove we’re delivering on our goals every step of the way. It’s truly an unbeatable platform that we’re thrilled to offer all local business clients who want to win the battle for market dominance in their area.”

Ongoing performance reports detail every phase during all 9 stages, so local clients can remain confident that Katalistik is placing them in an ever-better position for constant growth, profits, and success!

Learn more about this new and proven SEO campaign platform at LocalCheckmate.com.


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Katalistik is devoted to producing polished, innovative intelligence that makes a meaningful difference for companies, consumers, and the online ecosystem—faster, more aggressively, and with a deep sense of responsibility for the growth and success of every client. Visit Katalistik at http://katalistik.com/ or email them at signmeup@localcheckmate.com.

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Travel Services (MyTSOnline) Wins Best Travel Club for 7th Straight Year

 Super travel club, Travel Services, wins best travel club for the 7th year, leaving most potential competition in the dust.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) December 07, 2012
For the 7th year in a row, Travel Services (MyTSOnline.com) was awarded best travel club.

According to the UTAA, United Travel Agents Association, Travel Services was awarded their top honor primarily because of their service.

UTAA President Joe Smakees said, "We grade our travel agents based on overall member satisfaction. Are the members getting what they want? Are they getting the prices they expected or better. Are the travel clubs meeting or even exceeding overall expectations? We send out general surveys, talk to actual members, evaluate volume and size of travel club, and input this data into a formula."

Travel Services is a franchise that offers the back end support of a sales office and has been in business for just about 16 years, with their headquarters located in the state of Florida. It is privately owned by a group comprising of 6 individuals and was incorporated in the state of Nevada.

Members of Travel Services can book all travel at cost, and can access timeshare locations as well for a fraction of the price. Members must pay an initial membership fee and an annual dues to benefit from the service.

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