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ISRAEL AND MAJORITY MUSLIM AFRICAN COUNTRY GUINEA TO ESTABLISH TIES:By: Colin Wingfield

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 Guinea is a country of some 10.5 million people, 85% of whom are Muslim. Israel is set to announce the establishment of new ties with Guinea. The move comes after PM Netanyahu spoke by phone with Guinean President Alpha Conde during his recent visit to Africa. That conversation was facilitated by one of the leaders of the seven east African leaders he met with in Uganda on the first day of his visit. (J.Post) [Comment]

IRAN’S FM EXTOLS COUNTRY’S ABILITY TO RESTORE NUKE PROGRAM:By: Colin Wingfield

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 Iran's foreign minister on 19 July 2016, extolled the country's ability to bring its nuclear program back on track as limits on the landmark 15-year accord between Tehran and world powers ease in the coming years. Mohammad Javad Zarif said a document, submitted by Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency and outlining plans to expand Iran's uranium enrichment program, is a "matter of pride." He said it was created by Iran's "negotiators and industry experts" and that even foreign media have noted Iran is likely to strive for restoring its full enrichment after 10 years. Zarif's remarks followed revelations the day before of the confidential document - an add-on agreement to the nuclear deal with world powers - that Iran gave the IAEA. It's the only text linked to last year's deal between Iran and six world powers - the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany - that has not been made public, although USA officials say members of Congress who expressed interest were briefed on its substance. (AP) [Comment]

AP: ADDITIONAL PROBLEMATIC REVELATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN: By: Colin Wingfield

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The confidential document revealed by AP marks yet another problematic revelation related to the nuclear deal signed with Iran. In February 2016 the IAEA said Iran briefly exceeded a limit set by its deal with major powers, though it stressed that Tehran then came back within the permitted bounds. An IAEA report dated 2 December 2015, found that Iran had conducted "a range of activities relevant to the development" of a nuclear bomb until 2009. The UN watchdog had also previously released a report which determined that Iran had violated the terms of its nuclear deal with the West by increasing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 460.2 kilograms. Despite these violations, the IAEA chose to close its probe into whether Iran had developed nuclear weapons in the past and subsequently announced that Iran met its initial obligations under the terms of the nuclear deal, enabling the implementation of the agreement and lifting of the sanctions on Iran. (Arutz-7) [Comment]

LANDAU: SECRET IRAN DOCUMENTS UNDERLINE A ‘VERY SERIOUS’ PROBLEM’: By: Colin Wingfield

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The recent report on the Iran nuclear deal sheds light on a highly problematic aspect of the agreement, namely, that the Islamic Republic has been authorized to upgrade its uranium enrichment abilities, a senior Israeli arms expert warned on 19 July 2016. Emily Landau, head of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security, said that a report by the Associated Press that was published this week, underlined "a big concern – that Iran is allowed to work on research and development of a full range of advanced centrifuge models.” According to the report, a confidential add-on agreement linked to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), spells out Iranian plans to develop and install a range of new enrichment machines after the first ten years of the agreement pass.

In 2027, according to the report, Iran will start replacing its older centrifuges with thousands of advanced, faster centrifuges, allowing it to enrich uranium at twice the current speed. That would reduce Iran’s breakout time from a year to six months, even though Iran will still be limited to possessing 300 kilograms of low enriched uranium for the first 15 years of the JCPOA, the report said. After the 15-year-mark, that limitation too will be lifted. "The fact that the Iranians are allowed to work on research and development is something I found to be a major source of concern. The implications are very serious,” Landau said. "After testing, they can install these centrifuges once ten years pass,” she added. "The difference between Iran saying that it plans to develop new centrifuges, and the revelation of a document that says the P5+1 countries agreed to so many centrifuges being installed, is substantial,” she added. "The very fact that the JCPOA enables this, on a whole range of centrifuges, is problematic. It just proves that Iran’s enrichment program has been totally legitimized by this deal.” Landau noted that no senior members of the Obama administration have challenged the veracity of the report, or the existence of the secret document, seeking instead to promote their own interpretation of it. (J.Post) "Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Ps 40:4. Indeed it is true, having been played out repeatedly, that Israel cannot and must not put her trust in the world’s political leaders to have regard for her national security. Pray the Lord will give Israel all the necessary strategies to deal with enemies such as Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the increasingly radical and hostile Palestinian Authority, at the right time.

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STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ADMITS TO SECRET IRAN DOCUMENT:By: Colin Wingfield

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State Department spokesman Mark Toner on 19 July 2016, acknowledged that the public was kept in the dark about a side deal of the Iran nuclear agreement that would lift some of the nuclear restrictions on Iran in a decade. The revelation was made through a confidential document obtained by the Associated Press (AP). The document says that as of January 2027 - 11 years after the deal was implemented - Iran will start replacing its mainstay centrifuges with thousands of advanced machines. From year 11 to 13 of the agreement, the document reveals, Iran will install centrifuges up to five times as efficient as the 5,060 machines it is now restricted to using. While Toner acknowledged the public was kept in the dark about the confidential document, he denied when grilled by AP reporter Matt Lee that the document was, indeed, "secret.” Lee asked Toner what qualified as secret to him, noting that he thought anything that was "not public” was the same as secret. Toner answered that the circumstances of the document were known to the world powers that brokered the Iran deal, meaning that it was not secret. Lee pressed Toner on the issue, pointing out that the citizens outside of Congress and the nuclear discussions were kept in the dark to this facet of the Iran deal. "No one outside that knew what it was or knew its contents,” Lee said. "Did they? Toner admitted, "I’m not going to argue that, yes. That’s true.” (Arutz-7) Is it not a crime and betrayal that Obama, Clinton and Kerry made this suicide deal with Iran? They should all be tried for treason and deception for their part in what is the greatest threat of terror and of nuclear war to the world. [Comment]

FRENCH LAWMAKERS TOLD HOW BATACLAN TERRORISTS TORTURED, DISEMBOWELED VICTIMS: By: Colin Wingfield

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A French government committee has heard testimony, suppressed by the French government at the time and not published until this week, that the killers in the Bataclan terrorist attack tortured their victims on the second floor of the club. The chief police witness in Parliament said that an investigating officer, tears streaming down his face, rushed out of the Bataclan and vomited in front of him just after seeing the disfigured bodies. According to this testimony, terrorists gouged out eyes, castrated victims, and shoved their testicles in their mouths. They also reportedly disemboweled some poor souls. Women were stabbed in the genitals – and the torture was, victims told police, filmed for ISIS propaganda. For that reason, medics did not release the bodies of torture victims to the families, investigators said. (Fox) Can it be denied that tens of thousands of little Hitlers now roam the earth? Celebrated Christian author C.S. Lewis rightly said, "I think earth, if chosen instead of heaven, will turn out to have been all along, only a region of Hell.” Pray for revival to come to the Middle East and to all who revere terrorism and death over hope, love and eternal life. [Comment]

ATTEMPTED TURKISH COUP LEAVES SYNAGOGUES HALF EMPTY:By: Colin Wingfield

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The attempted coup in Turkey caught Istanbul's Jews by surprise as they were finishing their Friday night 15 July meals. Though Air Force planes only flew low over populated areas in Ankara, residents of Istanbul quickly understood that security tensions were at their highest, which led to the synagogues of Istanbul being half empty on Shabbat morning. "On Friday night we went to the synagogue as usual. It was only at 11:30 at night, when we were finishing our Shabbat meal, that neighbors came to tell us about the dramatic coup happening right then, with violent clashes in some places.” According to the source, morning prayers were finished hastily and the congregants returned to their houses quickly. "There was a large police and military presence in the streets. Naturally there was a lot of tension, though we already knew that the coup had failed.” In the hours since Friday's uprising - which left some 265 people dead in a chaotic night of violence and uncertainty - thousands of soldiers have been arrested and hundreds of judiciary members removed. The country's Prime Minister has vowed that "they will pay a heavy price." (Arutz-7) [Comment]

ATTEMPTED COUP DEFEATED IN TURKEY, HUNDREDS DEAD:By: Colin Wingfield

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Following a failed coup attempt mounted by Turkey’s military, Turkish President Recep Erdogan has reasserted his control over the country. After the botched attempt to overthrow the government which left more than 265 dead and 1,440 injured, Erdogan has set out to purge the judiciary and military. More than 2,700 judges have been removed and nearly 3,000 soldiers arrested. The Turkish military had announced late Friday night 15 July 2016, that it had taken over power from the government, declaring that a "peaceful council” had been established "in the name of democratic order.” Army units occupied two key bridges in Istanbul, shutting down traffic in much of the city. State television and Ankara’s airport were also seized by the military. Flights to and from Ankara were cancelled following the take-over. Turkish President Erdogan issued no statements in the early hours of the coup, leading to suspicions he had been taken prisoner. Later, Erdogan spoke out, condemning the attempted coup and placing blame on an Islamic cleric living in exile in the USA, Fethullah Gulen, for spearheading it. (INN)


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TEENS ENCOURAGED TO AIM FOR 'MARTYRDOM' HONOR ROLL: By: Colin Wingfield

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Schools have honor rolls that list students who reach certain grade levels or achievements, cities sometimes even acknowledge the accomplishments of their local star performers. So does the Palestinian Authority, which cites those who achieve martyrdom. "Sixteen succeeded the martyrdom (shahada) of the homeland and withstood its difficult tests, for death as a martyr is the path to excellence and greatness, and the path of those who know how to reach the great victory,” said WAFA, the official PA news agency. The encouragement to students was cited by the Palestinian Media Watch as well as the Middle East Media Research Institute. PMW’s Itamar Marcus wrote, "Since fear of death is a natural inhibiting factor to participating in violence and terror, to mitigate this fear, the Palestinian Authority educates its children that death as a martyr should not be feared. Martyrdom, the PA teaches, is the highest achievement and is more valuable and more rewarded than life itself.” PMW noted that Palestinian terrorists over 2015 and 2016 murdered 40 and injured more than 500. But it pointed out that the teens who died mostly died while attempting violence unsuccessfully. (WND) [Comment]

Jerusalem – the high-tech hub you didn't know existedBy: C4i

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When we think about tech, most of us picture Silicon Valley in the bay area of San Francisco. Fancy glass and steel buildings with signage that changes every other week, a steady stream of twenty-something tech-guys in beards and identical button-downs pouring in and out of different start-ups. Or you might think of Tokyo, a neon-lit beehive of activity with some of the most advanced architecture in the world. A city that looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi novel. You might even think of Austin, Texas, land of the most overvalued housing market in America, but still an attractive location for techie entrepreneurs and ambitious talent.

What you should be thinking of though is Jerusalem.

Yes, Jerusalem. An ancient land brimming with history, associated with tradition, and steeped in old world charm is also quickly becoming one of the most forward-looking and high-tech capitals in the world. Jerusalem has always had a special place in history as a center of particular religious significance, but the recent boom in Jerusalem's tech market is also making sure that the Holy city also has a place in the future of the economy.

Entrepreneur Magazine recently cited Jerusalem as one of the top five emerging tech centers in the world, calling it "an extraordinary blend of history and modernity not found elsewhere on the globe” and it's clear that ambitious tech startups agree. While there were only maybe a dozen or so startups working in the area just a few years ago, the estimates today place that number at over 500 different startups enjoying the city and providing tech jobs to its inhabitants.

So what happened? What has caused this sudden explosion of growth? Well, a number of factors. First, the city's tech business enjoys generous government support, a specific courting of their business. Inventive programs and tax credits help attract budding, cash-conscious tech companies to the area. Major investments in infrastructure, public transportation help to sweeten the deal for young professionals coming into the area. 

Then you have the local talent pool to consider. Israeli tech has been making major strides in biomechanics and biorobotics, putting it at the forefront of the industry. Combined with local institutions such as the Hebrew University and Jerusalem College of Technology nurturing young talent, there is a natural wellspring of bright, inspired, tech-workers just waiting for the opportunity to show their skills. 

The business world has taken notice. Jerusalem will be host to over 350 tech events this year and venture capital money is flowing into the area. People of all walks of life are gathering to grow and prosper together in this environment, providing new opportunities for the children of Jerusalem. At this rate, it might not be long before Jerusalem is considered the Silicon Valley of the east. 

Jerusalem's mayor,  Nir Barkat couldn't be more excited. Speaking to Entrepreneur, he says "Three thousand years ago, Jerusalem was founded by King David as a center for everyone. Our diversity is a feature. The world is uniting in the city of Jerusalem. When Jerusalem does good things, its good for the region and the world.’’ 
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