Is Europe setting up clash between Muslims and the West?

Editor's note: Mohammed Ayoob is University Distinguished Professor of International Relations at Michigan State University and adjunct scholar at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
(CNN) -- Europe and the Muslim world seem to be on a collision course that could have major political, economic and ideological ramifications. January 23, 2012, may well come to be remembered as the crucial date when Samuel Huntington's "clash of civilizations" thesis, which many of us believed discredited beyond repair, was reaffirmed.
Political scientist Huntington wrote in 1993 that cultural divisions preclude a defining global civilization, and the West and the Muslim world would never share the same values.
Last month, Europe took two different actions that nonetheless sent the same message to the Muslim world: You are not our equals and are doomed to be judged by standards different from those by which we judge ourselves. Future historians might call January 23 the day when Europe irreversibly alienated not one, but both, pivotal powers -- Iran and Turkey -- that in all probability will dominate the political landscape of the Middle East for several decades.
One action was the European Union's decision to ban oil purchases from Iran, including imports of crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemical products, to force Tehran to negotiate away its uranium enrichment program, which Tehran insists is for civilian use only. This is the latest in a series of increasingly stringent sanctions that Western powers have unilaterally imposed on Iran. These sanctions go well beyond those required by the U.N. Security Council.

Mohammed Ayoob
The EU sanctions attempt to hit the Iranian economy where it hurts most: Europe imports about a fifth of Iranian oil. When combined with a ban on transactions with Iran's Central Bank, this action is aimed at paralyzing the Iranian economy.
At the same time, the French Senate passed a law making it a crime to deny genocides that are officially recognized by France. The two genocides in this category are the Holocaust and the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in Anatolia during the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Because the denial of the Holocaust is already a crime under French law, the obvious objective of the bill is to criminalize the denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide.
Sanctions hurting Iran economy France passes Armenian genocide bill
The issue of Armenian genocide touches a very raw nerve in Turkey, which denies the scale of the killings -- Turkey maintains that roughly 500,000 Armenians were killed -- as well as the claim that it was planned. According to Turkey, the killings happened in the midst of the disarray accompanying World War I and the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey says a nearly equivalent number of Turks and Kurds were also killed in inter-ethnic strife with the Armenians, who were allied with the Ottoman's Russian adversaries.
It's not the accuracy of the opposing claims that is at issue; it's Muslim perceptions. Iran may well be trying to develop nuclear weapons, and what amounts to an Armenian genocide may well have taken place. What roils Muslim opinion worldwide is the perception that the West uses blatant double standards to pass judgment.
Harsh sanctions on Iran are seen as an attempt to prevent a Muslim country from developing deterrents to attacks from Israel and the United States, both nuclear powers hostile to the Islamic Republic. Most Western discussions of the Iranian bomb do not make even passing reference to the well-documented Israeli nuclear capability, even as Israel threatens to militarily strike Iran's nuclear facilities. This omission is seen as hypocritical, dishonest and self-serving.
For many in the Muslim world, double standards explain why France singled out Turkey, and didn't criminalize the denial of other nations' crimes against humanity. Although denying Germany's crimes is a crime, the Holocaust is universally accepted as genocide, while Turkey's is not.
Many ask why disputing European massacres of non-European people is not criminalized -- such as the French actions in Algeria, as Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has said. These would include the near-total extermination of native populations by European settlers in Australia, New Zealand, and North America.
They would include the killings of millions of people by the Belgian administration of the Congo Free State, whose population was halved during the early decades of Belgian rule. Most pertinent of all, Muslims ask, why not criminalize the denial of the genocidal Spanish Inquisition that led to the extermination, expulsion or conversion of the entire Muslim and Jewish populations of the Iberian peninsula?
Many Muslims perceive these moves as the West targeting Iran and Turkey in an attempt to prevent important Muslim countries from achieving the military capacity -- Iran -- and the political stature -- Turkey -- they deserve. Many see behind these moves the not-so-hidden hand of an ideology based on Huntington's theory of the clash of civilizations. Although these perceptions may not fully conform with reality, it is well established that perceptions count much more than reality in the conduct of international relations.

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British Prime Shopping Yourself

London - Prime Minister (PM) Britain, David Cameron decided to go shopping needs dinner, all alone into a supermarket. PM Cameron blend in and look like a regular buyer, before the public finally recognized the face.

PM Cameron making a surprise visit to a branch of Morrisons supermarket, when he was on his way home to his residence located in Oxfordshire. The visit was done after a day of meetings with the Navy (Navy) English in Plymouth, Devon, on Friday (3/2) yesterday.

Similarly, as reported by the Daily Mail, Saturday (02/04/2012).

Still wearing a black suit with a wrapped coat, PM Cameron looked spent 15 minutes in the supermarket on the outskirts of the city. He walked the halls of the supermarket, from the vegetables to the meat and fish section.

Some visitors were surprised at the supermarket Cameron noticed that this shopping center. In the shopping cart, look Cameron chose a type of sea bass or barramundi fish, potatoes, lemon and some other fruits, as the dinner menu.

One visitor who saw the presence of Cameron supermarket at the time, admitted surprise. According to him, Cameron had to wait in line for 5 minutes before finally paying groceries at the checkout.

"He joined the queue and pay for groceries themselves. Some people seem to react ordinary. Almost everyone watching him, but no one around him. He was seen chatting with several people nearby when he was lining up - he's spent the past 5 minutes before eventually served (cash register), "he said.

Some people are finally aware of Cameron while waiting in line at the checkout, just looked confused. But not so with a buyer who was standing right in front of Cameron. He was busy playing his cell phone, without realizing there are VIP buyers behind.

In response, General Manager of the supermarket, Mike Cliff said he was surprised and honored by a visit Cameron. "We were surprised and pleased to see the Prime Minister appeared on the need to shop at Morrisons this weekend," he said.

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Chairman of the DPC: Marzuki Must Withdraw from Democratic

A total of 12 Democratic Leadership Council Branch Southeast Sulawesi as Chairman of the Board of Trustees asked the Democratic Party (PD), Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to remove Marzuki Ali well as Speaker of the House as well as an Advisory Board Member of PD because it often makes statements that damage the image party.
The request was made Chairman of the Branch Executive Council (DPC) District Democrats of North Buton, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Southeast Sulawesi), Abdul Salam Saadia and DPC Chairman of the Democratic Party of North Kolaka, Surahman Saturday.
"We submit this statement, with the approval of 12 DPC Democrat Southeast Sulawesi," said both.
According to Salam and Surahman, chaotic place in the body that the Democratic party, especially with regard to the turn of the DPP Ketuam PD, Anas Urbaningrum lately, is inseparable from the political role played by Marzuki Ali.
When Marzuki Ali is outside the country four days ago said Salam, he could send a short message to the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the requesting Party to prepare a substitute Anas.
Even on January 23, 2012, said Salam, Marzuki as a member of the Advisory Board of the Party, held a meeting in one place in Jakarta, preparing cadres of the Democratic Party four names to replace chairman Anas Urbaningrum as Democrats.
"These steps are carried out by politics lately Marzuki Ali, is not tolerated anymore, because it was very disturbing and damaging the image of the party cadres," he said.
Because of this, he added, the entire Board of the Democratic Party in South East Sulawesi DPC request to remove the Chairman of the Board of Trustees is concerned, both from the post of Chairman of the House of Representatives and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Party.
According to Salam, a member of the Advisory Board of the Party, Marzuki Ali should serve to reduce the issues of corruption that hit a number of party cadres, not even part of it oppressed the party cadres who are not necessarily guilty according to law.
"We strongly support the legal process that is being hit a number of party cadres, but we are strongly opposed if there are party cadres who want to overthrow the position of Chairman, Anas Urbaningrum which is the result of Bandung Congress," he said.
Therefore, the desire to overthrow the Chairman position without going through Congress he said, quite contrary to the Articles of Association (AD) and Domestic Fencing (ART) Party.
Meanwhile, one of the Democratic Party functionaries DPP is also member of Parliament from South East Sulawesi, Andi Rahmat, said the entire Board can understand the desire DPC Democratic district level in South East Sulawesi requesting removal of Speaker of the House, Marzuki Ali is.
"My fellow Democrats DPC officials in Southeast Sulawesi, do not want the image ruined the Democratic Party, caused by a number of cadres of the party itself. Thus the whole range of cadres should be the Democratic Party, responded to that desire with self introspection, solid and compact for the greatness of the party," he said .
He hoped that the party cadres, especially in the DPP do nothing more to make political statements that are detrimental to the organization's image and angered his own party cadres at the local level.
"I wish, Chairman of the Board of Trustees may issue teguras strongly against any party cadres that often enrages the other cadres in the political statement," he said.

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How rich are these guys? Election 2012

With no regular day job, Romney still earns a tidy income in the form of dividends and interest from his investments, and records filed with the Federal Election Commission show that the former Massachusetts governor commands between $20,000 and $68,000 on the speaking circuit.

Much of Romney's wealth is tied up in a blind trust, but some assets remain under his control -- including a few quirky items. For example, the FEC lists between $250,000 and $500,000 in horses, an asset the campaign says belongs to the candidate's wife. He owns another $250,000 to $500,000 in gold.

Romney has degrees from both Harvard Law and Harvard Business School, and had successful careers at the consulting shop Bain & Company and private equity firm Bain Capital before joining the Salt Lake City Olympics effort in 1999.

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Apple, more designer brands

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Hoping to offset a disappointing holiday season, Target is relying on some tried and true designer partnerships to bring more of its core customers through the doors and testing the waters with cult favorite Apple, in an effort to attract new ones.
First up will be Jason Wu for Target, a limited collection of dresses, handbags and scarves by the young designer made famous by Michelle Obama -- he designed the gown she wore to the inauguration -- that will roll out Feb. 5. Then in May, the retailer will launch "The Shops at Target," a series of design partnerships with small boutique businesses, that will offer several more limited-edition collections.
But perhaps the most anticipated alliance is the trial sale of Apple's (AAPL, Fortune 500) iPhones, iPads and other products in Target stores. The rollout will initially occur in 25 stores, according to spokeswoman Dustee Jenkins, who refrained from providing additional details like when the products would be available.
Target (TGT, Fortune 500) has always been a "women-friendly store," said Britt Beemer, retail analyst and chairman of America's Research Group. That has helped boost sales of clothing and beauty products, but has significantly hindered sales of big-ticket items like electronics.
By adding Apple products to its offerings, the analyst believes it could help the retailer attract more male customers and give it a much-needed shot in the arm in the electronics category.
"Designer clothes won't fix [Target's] problems," Beemer said, but "[teaming up with Apple] is a smart strategy from the viewpoint of getting a new customer in the store."
The move couldn't come at a better time. Low margins coupled with slowing same-store sales have hurt the retailer, particularly over the key holiday shopping season.
"Target has had to discount more this year than they have in the past to get people back in the store," Beemer explained. "A top they might have sold a year ago for $10, this year they will sell for $8."
After the retail giant's holiday sales fell well short of analyst's expectations, the company lowered its earnings guidance for the fourth quarter, citing soft sales of electronics, music, movies and books.
Missoni for Target fetches big bucks on eBay, Craigslist
Target has been successful with its popular collaborations in the past, so much so that other big-box stores like Kohl's (KSS, Fortune 500) and JC Penney (JCP, Fortune 500) adapted their model. But Target's last designer collection, with Italian fashion house Missoni, was a publicity coup that became a logistical nightmare.
Spiking demand for the limited-edition clothing and house wares collection crashed the company's web site. Online orders were delayed and some orders were later cancelled, leaving many shoppers unsatisfied.
"That was an unprecedented event" said Stacia Andersen, Target's senior vice president of merchandising. To ensure the company is equipped to handle the spikes in demand that generally follow the launch of a limited-edition collection going forward, "our teams have been working around the clock," she said.

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ECB sees signs of thaw in credit freeze

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The European Central Bank's latest effort to prevent a credit crunch in the European banking system appears to be showing signs of success, and some analysts say it could also be providing some relief for tensions in the government bond market.
ECB President Mario Draghi said Thursday that the first round of the central bank's Long Term Refinancing Operation, which pumped some €500 billion worth of 3-year loans into the banking system last month, has eased conditions for banks struggling to secure funding in the private market.
"We do think that at least this decision has prevented a credit contraction that would have been more serious, much, much more serious," Draghi said at a press conference in Frankfurt following the ECB's latest policy meeting.
In particular, Draghi said some markets for unsecured bank bonds have reopened since the lending program launched. That's encouraging, he added, because banks have more than €200 billion worth of bonds coming due this year.
Draghi also said there are indications that some of the loans are making their way into the real economy, despite a recent surge in overnight deposits at the ECB.
"We really see evident signs that this money doesn't simply stay in the deposit facility," said Draghi. "This money circulates in the economy."
Indeed, banks' overnight deposits at the ECB fell slightly Thursday to €470.6 billion from a record €485.8 billion Wednesday. But the amount of money parked at the ECB remains high, suggesting banks are still hunkering down.
The dip in overnight deposits at the ECB coincided with strong demand for Spanish and Italian debt at two auctions Thursday, raising speculation that some banks were using ECB funds to buy bonds issued by stressed euro area governments.
Draghi acknowledged that demand for shorter-term government bonds has been trending higher recently, but he downplayed any possible connection with the ECB's latest liquidity measures.

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Apple factory inspections turn up scores of labor violations

Apple's (AAPL) sixth annual "supplier responsibility" report is sure to be closely read by both critics and competitors.
For one thing an addendum to the report lists for the first time the names of Apple's major subcontractors -- 156 companies, many in the Far East, representing 97% of the company's supply chain. The list is available here for anyone to read.
For another, the report enumerates the violations discovered -- and Apple's responses -- in the company's 2011 audit of those suppliers. Although most electronics manufacturers rely on the same labor force to make their products, Apple tends to get singled for criticism when abuses come to light.
The report issued this week is surprisingly frank about the nature of those abuses. In its audit, Apple discovered (I quote):
18 facilities screened job candidates or current workers for hepatitis B, and 52 facilities lacked policies and procedures that prohibit discrimination based on results of medical tests.
24 facilities conducted pregnancy tests, and 56 facilities did not have policies and procedures that prohibit discriminatory practices based on pregnancy.
93 facilities had records that indicated more than 50 percent of their workers exceeded weekly working hour limits of 60 in at least 1 week out of the 12 sample period.
At 90 facilities, more than half of the records we reviewed indicated that workers had worked more than 6 consecutive days at least once per month, and 37 facilities lacked an adequate working day control system to ensure that workers took at least 1 day off in every 7 days.
42 facilities had payment practice violations, including delayed payment for employees' wages and no pay slips provided to employees.
68 facilities did not provide employees adequate benefits as required by laws and regulations, such as social insurance and free physical examinations. 49 facilities did not provide employees with paid leaves or vacations.
67 facilities used deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure.
108 facilities did not pay proper overtime wages as required by laws and regulations. For example, they did not provide sufficient overtime pay for holidays.
Apple separately listed what it called "core violations" of labor and human rights:
In 15 facilities it discovered foreign contract workers who had paid excessive recruitment fees to labor agencies.
In 5 facilities it discovered a total of 6 active and 13 historical cases of underage labor. In each case, the facility had insufficient controls to verify age or detect false documentation. Apple insists, however, that it found "no instances of intentional hiring of underage labor."
Although most of Apple's suppliers were discovered to be in violation of one rule or another -- nearly 70%, for example, failed to pay proper overtime -- Apple severed relations with only one of them: an unnamed "repeat offender." There was a second repeat offender, but Apple claims to be "correcting" its practices.

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