UN envoy warns of al-Qaeda expansion in Yemen [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Armed al-Qaeda fighters have recently seized control of several Yemeni regions, taking advantage of the political and security unrest in the country.

Presenter, Female #1
The expansion of al-Qaeda influence in Yemen prompted many to warn against what they believe is a real threat posed by al-Qaeda to the country.

Reporter, Female #2
The road to stability in Yemen seems to be a very long one. While Yemenis wait for the outcome of the long-term political settlement, the security challenges continue to dominate the scene. Amid the revolution against Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, al-Qaeda has strongly resurfaced on the Yemeni scene, causing concern and chaos. Its armed fighters strengthened their operational activity and gained control of several regions, especially in the south and the east, with no virtual resistance from Yemeni security agencies. In addition, more than one local and military officials have been killed. Voices inside and outside Yemen are warning against the dangerous situation in the country.

Guest, Male #2 (Jamal bin Omar, UN Envoy to Yemen)
There's still an insurgency in the north, and an expansion of al-Qaeda's activity in the south. During my time there, they occupied a city 170 kilometers south of Sanaa.
This indicates that the security conditions are very volatile. The government is facing a major challenge represented by its efforts to reclaim its authority in several regions and provinces, which are now completely out of its control.

Reporter, Female #2
Al-Qaeda's expansion in Yemen is mainly attributed to the absence of a state of law and to the volatile situation in the country. Some are accusing what they referred to as "opportunistic individuals and blocs," who have been negatively affected by the departure of Saleh's regime, of seeking to disrupt the country's security and of planting the seeds of chaos. Saleh's opponents believe that the recent takeover of the city of Rada'a is part of Saleh's plot to foil the revolution against his ruling regime. Regardless, it seems as though al-Qaeda has taken advantage of the security vacuum in order to expand its influence. Meanwhile, experts are warning that other Yemeni regions may fall into al-Qaeda's hands. Yemenis believe that the real solution is for the army and tribesmen to take serious action in countering extremist elements. But what's more dangerous, according to Yemenis, is the expansion of al-Qaeda's ideology among residents of the regions under its control, which are usually remote areas suffering from poverty and ignorance. The outside world is warning that Yemen may be gradually turning into a major base for the al-Qaeda organization, not only in the Arab Peninsula but also in the greater Middle Eastern region due to what they believe was the network's failure in Iraq and a decline of influence in Afghanistan.

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US marine is 'sorry' for Iraqi deaths in Haditha massacre, but walks free [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female # 1
Israeli television said Marwan al-Barghouti will soon be released. The Palestinian Authority dismissed this claim as al-Barghouti represents himself in Israeli court.

Reporter, Male # 1
Once again, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti represented himself at a Magistrate's court in Jerusalem. Al-Barghouti announced he will not testify in an Israeli court that he deems illegitimate. Regarding his candidacy for presidential elections, al-Barghouti said the Palestinian Authority has still not announced the elections and will assess the situation if it does.

Guest, Male # 2 (Marwan Barghouti, Fatah Leader)
I call on the great Palestinian people to embrace unity and cohesion and to establish a national unity government and to continue popular, peaceful resistance to end the occupation. It is impossible to have peace without ending the occupation. And on this occasion, I salute the popular democratic Arab revolutions that were victorious in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

Reporter, Male # 1
Israeli television revealed that occupation authorities will release the Fatah leader and deport him to Jordan. The Fatah movement officially denied the claim.

Presenter, Female # 1
The outcome of an American ruling came in the form of an apology by a soldier who committed the Haditha massacre in Iraq.

Reporter, Female # 2
The man accused of committing the 2005 Haditha massacre in Iraq that killed 24 civilians was only sentenced to 90 days in prison, but will not have to serve the time. The American judge settled for a reduction of US Marine Frank Wuterich's ranking to a private. Wuterich admitted in a military court to negligent dereliction of duty in relation to the massacre. On November 19, 2005, 19 Iraqis were killed in different homes and five were killed in a car that was stopped when American soldiers fired at them. These were the most controversial crimes involving American forces in the war against Iraq. Among the victims were ten women and children, killed at very close range. Six others were directly injured in the head. In the town of Haditha that witnessed the massacre, the sentence generated angry reactions among the residents. As for the Iraqi government, it viewed the sentence as unsuitable for the scale of the crime, confirming it will continue to ask for the rights of its citizens.

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Kashmiris observe Indian Republic Day as 'Black Day' [Press TV, Iran]

People in Indian-controlled Kashmir are observing a shutdown on January 26 marking India's Republic Day as a 'Black Day.' The 26th January 1950 is one of the most important days in Indian history, as the country became a truly sovereign state. The day has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India. However, people of Kashmir observe the republic day of the world's biggest democracy as a black day, following the ideology that India has forcibly occupied the Himalayan region ever since. While the Indian nation celebrates the occasion with a national holiday, the streets of Kashmir are deserted; hardly any civilian movement is visible, as most of the people prefer to stay indoors with shops and businesses on halt as a mark of protest against Indian rule. On the other side, the authorities impose deliberate restrictions on movement of people fearing the eruption of anti-India sentiments that are already high in the Muslim dominated region and due to scare of attacks at the sites where Indian flags are hoisted in the region.

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Syrian security forces storm Duma, as fears of Hama massacre mount [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
Assad's brigades killed 42 civilians in a number of Syrian regions and stormed the city of Duma in the countryside of Damascus from several directions. It has been reported that the regime's army is launching a wide-scale military campaign in Daraa, Hama, and Idlib, and shelling Homs with heavy artillery and tanks.

Reporter, Male #2
As Arab and international pressure escalates on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, his forces have become increasingly brutal and violent in dealing with protests demanding the downfall of the regime. The regime's forces organized a wide-scale military campaign in the rebelling cities and towns and continually shelled their houses with various types of heavy and light weaponry throughout the day and night. Assad's regime is waging a war against the Syrian people who revolted against his rule. The military campaigns launched by Assad's forces are increasingly brutal as the revolution spreads to more Syrian provinces. Local coordination committees reported that a number of neighborhoods in Homs, Daraa, and Idlib witnessed violent shelling as well as a broad arrest campaign by Assad's forces. Here in Hama, security forces and shabeha reinforced with armored trucks and military vehicles are preparing to commit a new massacre in the city. This comes after Syrian newspaper al-Watan quoted an anonymous source saying specialized institutions decided to resolve the situation once and for all by cleansing Hama of its armed men and their evil influence, and restore normal life to the city, according to his claim. The local coordination committees mentioned that Assad's brigades began a broad campaign in Hama on Tuesday night in a number of neighborhoods, especially Bab Qabali, al-Hamidiya, al-Mala'ab and al-Jarajima, and that it was difficult to evacuate the wounded from the streets and transport them to the hospitals due to the incessant arbitrary shelling of the city. In Duma, activists reported that Assad's brigades stormed the city today and that snipers were stationed in the al-Mahattah neighborhood where they opened fire on any moving object in order to prevent people from entering or exiting the city. The brigades completely shut down the city and besieged it from all directions with armored trucks. Since the Syrian revolution broke out, houses of worship have not escaped missile shelling by Assad's brigades. The brigades do not leave a mosque without first violating it and stripping it of its sanctity. They have no respect for the mosques or for the most basic human rights. Children, women, and the elderly were killed after the brigades indiscriminately shelled residential houses to terrorize the citizens. The regime's war on its people turned the schools in Deir az-Zour and other cities into prisons that detain and torture participants of the protests against Assad's regime. Defections are continuing at a higher rate and on a wider scale. The local coordination committees reported that Assistant Ayman Sheikh Ali and his companions have defected and joined the Syrian Free Army.

Guest, Male #3
I announce that I have defected from the oppressor Assad's army and joined the Syrian Free Army.

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four soldiers were killed and five others, including an officer, were wounded in an ambush set up by defectors in southern Syria. News reports indicate negotiations were held between the Syrian Free Army and Syrian authorities in order to reach an agreement and a ceasefire in the countryside of Damascus, paving way for the withdrawal of Assad's brigades from the area as they did in the city of Zabadani last week.

Reporter, Male #2
Despite the escalating violence by Assad's brigades, anti-regime protests continue in Syrian cities and towns demanding the downfall of the regime and the execution of Bashar al-Assad.

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France, Britain make plea for Syria resolution at UN Security Council [Oman TV, Oman]

France and Britain joined efforts at the United Nations to end Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule. French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bernard Valero said the United Nations Security Council must support the Arab League's courageous decisions, which are trying to end the repression and violence in Syria and find a solution to the political crisis. He added that their aim is to get a resolution approved. Security Council diplomats said that the council could vote as early as next week on a Western-Arab draft resolution. Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country remained opposed to sanctions on Syria and reiterated its opposition to military intervention.

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China slams EU for Iran oil embargo [Oman TV, Oman]

China criticized the European Union for banning oil imports from Iran, Beijing's third largest crude supply and major trading partner. The European Union agreed on Monday to ban imports of oil from Iran and imposed a number of other economic sanctions, joining the United States in a new round of measures aimed at pushing Iran into reigning in its nuclear activities that Tehran says are for peaceful purposes. China, the world's second largest crude consumer has long opposed unilateral sanctions that target Iran's energy sector and has tried to reduce sanctions that could threaten its oil supply.

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Iraqi insurgents bomb police officers' home [Oman TV, Oman]

Insurgents bombed a house belonging to two police officers and their families in Iraq earlier today, killing all ten people. The house where the two officers, who were brothers, lived was located in the Hamiya area, about 50 km south of Baghdad. It was leveled when insurgents detonated bombs they had planted overnight. Since the US completed its pullout last month, militant groups, mainly al-Qaeda in Iraq have stepped up attacks. Meanwhile gunmen shot dead the son of a prominent tribal leader in front of his house in western Mosul, 390 km north Baghdad.

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Bahraini forces attack mourners as HRW slams UAE human rights violations [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Masses of Bahrainis held funeral processions for three martyrs recently killed in the regime's crackdown on protestors and civilians. The authorities refused to hand over the body of a fourth martyr. The Islamic Action Society declared a general mourning and strike for three days in the country to condemn the massacres committed by the Manama authorities.

Reporter, Male #1
The ongoing Bahraini uprising launched last year is being blamed for the bloodshed of martyrs. Since yesterday, four martyrs have been killed during confrontations with police forces. The town of al-Daih witnessed a massive funeral procession for martyrs Muntathar Fakhar and Abbas al-Sheikh. The mourners reiterated their demand for the downfall of the country's king and regime. Martyr Abbas al-Sheikh died two months after being hit by internationally-banned shuzen bullets during a police crackdown on protestors in the town of al-Daih. Muntathar Fakhar was martyred under torture while in regime custody over his participation in the protests. Al-Alam obtained a video showing the murder of Mohamed Ibrahim as he was run over by police cars during the authorities' crackdown, which targeted even the small towns and villages across the Kingdom. Security forces fired live ammunition and toxic tear gas at demonstrators in the area of Ma'amir, martyring Sa'id al-Sukkari, who died of toxic gas inhalation. The residents held a funeral procession for al-Sukkari in the area of Naim in the capital, Manama. The authorities attacked the mourners, inflicting causalities among them. Observers believe that despite the escalating campaign of crackdowns, the Bahraini people remain steadfast as they continue to cling to their demands for the establishment of a democratic regime.

Presenter, Female #1
Human Right Watch, HRW, accused the United Arab Emirates, UAE, of hijacking human rights principles as well as restricting freedom of expression. During a press conference in Dubai, HRW said that the UAE government is cracking down on freedom of expression by harassing and prosecuting activists as well as restricting the formation of political associations.

Reporter, Male #2
HRW slammed the UAE for human rights violations in the country. During a press conference in Dubai, HRW accused the UAE government of hijacking democratic principles and restricting freedom of expression. The organization said that the UAE is continuing to crack down on freedom of expression in the country by harassing and prosecuting activists, and by restricting the formation of political associations in the country. It added that the UAE has avoided the kind of pro-democracy demonstrations that broke out in several Arab countries. Instead, the UAE moved in the opposite direction by pursuing UAE citizens who dared criticize the government. The organization confirmed that the authorities issued sentences against several activists and stripped several others of their citizenship under the pretext they are posing a threat to the country's security.

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UN envoy says Libyan militias 'out of control' [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The United Nations envoy to Libya described the armed militias there as "out of control." Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders suspended its mission in Misurata's main detention center, where it says detainees are subject to torture.

Reporter, Male #2
The armed militias are completely out of control. That's how the UN envoy described the situation in Libya. Ian Martin asserted in front of the UN Security Council that these militias are responsible for the escalation of chaos in Libya. He indicated that they are illegally detaining thousands of Libyans. The Libyan government exerted efforts to control the weapons that spread among civilians in the aftermath of the war that toppled the late Libyan Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi, and also took a number of measures to demobilize former fighters. However, the government is still struggling to establish legitimacy in face of expanding armed groups. This comes as the National Transitional Council is facing the most severe political crisis since it took power in Libya. The deputy chairman of the National Transitional Council Abdul Hafiz Ghoga was compelled to resign after he was assaulted by students in Benghazi who claimed he was one of the pillars of Gaddafi's regime. In addition, the Transitional Council was forced to postpone issuing the election law after protestors attempted an attack on the Council by storming its headquarters in Benghazi. For its part, Doctors Without Borders released an official statement to suspend its mission in Misurata's central prison due to the appalling conditions there. The organization said the detainees there are brutalized, subject to torture, and deprived of their rights to receive treatment.

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Palestinians deem talks with Israelis 'failure' [IBA, Israel]

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas this morning in Amman. The idea was to discuss ways to push the peace process forward. But after Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met last night for a fifth time this month, the Palestinians said the talks are going nowhere. The Palestinians declared the exploratory talks with Israel a failure last night after the two sides met in Amman for the fifth time this month. Pal officials said they had made it clear to Israel in advance that only a substantial step on Israel's part would enable the talk to continue. During the meeting the Palestinians insisted that Israel freeze settlement construction in order for the talks to continue, a non-starter for the Israeli side.

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Ban Ki-moon urges Iran not to block strategic waterway [IBA, Israel]

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is coming to the region next week to stress the need for Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Ban said he will try to create a positive atmosphere for moving forward. The UN chief also expressed concern over Iran's rogue nuclear program and Tehran's threat to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.