Iran tests long-range ballistic missiles in response to growing Western threats [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said the military maneuvers conducted by his forces have successfully test-fired missiles by completely destroying mock military bases similar to foreign bases in the region. In another development, a member of the Iranian National Security Committee said his committee has prepared a draft resolution to be voted on soon, entailing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to oil export tankers bound to EU countries and the US.

Reporter, Male #1
Suddenly and collectively, Iran decided to unleash its missile system, amid the sanctions, oil embargo, and the threats, saying it will never concede its nuclear ambitions. The Revolutionary Guards preemptively responded and successfully identified sources of threats. In the desert, they established mock military bases similar to US bases in the region, and launched a barrage of missiles in an experiment dubbed the "raining of missiles."

Guest, Male #2 (Hussein Salam, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards)
Militarily, our goal is to test our capability to destroy mock targets similar to military bases in the region by having missiles rain down on them from various distances. Tactically, we want to test-fire our missile system.

Reporter, Male #1
The National Security Committee has openly announced it completed drafting parliamentary legislation to close the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to prevent EU and US-bound oil tankers from crossing. This comes as the Iranian military stepped up its mobilization, which included the testing of the Persian Gulf's anti-ship missile. And it's no coincidence here, where it's no longer forbidden to demand a halt to the talks with the West and to mobilize militarily in the Strait of Hormuz.

Guest, Male #3 (Imad Ihshinash, Editor-in-Chief, Iran's Daily)
Iran is facing many threats, with the latest being the European oil embargo, which was a declaration of war. Unfortunately, some of the Gulf countries support the embargo and seek to replace Iranian oil. A real war is being waged on Iran. It started with the economy but it could later escalate.

Reporter, Male #1
Iran says the Western embargo on its oil is akin to a declaration of war, and the West says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an open declaration of war. And in between, no one wants to be responsible for igniting the first spark.

Reporter, Male #1
Iran is fighting on three fronts: the nuclear talks which seem to be taking a long time, improving the country's economy amid increasing sanctions, and the countering of military threats with similar threats. Meanwhile, Tehran is saying it will not concede, but it may retreat a little describing it as "a tactful move." Abed al-Qader Fayez, Al Jazeera, Tehran.

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Palestinian Authority faces risk of collapse due to financial crisis [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
The Palestinian Authority's treasury is sounding the bankruptcy alarm. Palestinian officials announced that a suffocating financial crisis, described as the worst since its establishment, is looming inside the PA's institutions, saying it will not be able to pay the salaries of its employees. The crisis quickly reflected on the Palestinian street, which is bracing for the month of Ramadan with empty pockets. This comes after the International Monetary Fund rejected an Israeli request for a loan in the amount of one billion dollars. Mohamed al-Sayyed reports from Ramallah.

Reporter, Male #2
The Palestinian Authority is approaching dangerous economic turmoil, amid a budget deficit of more than USD 1.2 billion, hinting that it will not be able to pay the salaries of its more than 840,000 employees this month. This is the worst financial crisis to hit the PA since its establishment.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Majdalani, PA Minister of Labor)
This is worse than the crises that we have witnessed during the Israeli blockade of 2002 and 2003.

Reporter, Male #2
The failure of donor countries to meet their pledges of over USD 150 million, and the financial crisis brewing inside government agencies, are threatening the stability of the PA's institutions and its social security departments, as confirmed by the latest declaration of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the PLO.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Majdalani, PA Minister of Labor)
It's an issue of major concern for the Palestinian citizens and the government. It could shatter or even lead to the collapse of the institutions.

Reporter, Male #2
The crisis is casting a heavy burden on the Palestinian street, which is bracing for the holy month of Ramadan.

Guest, Female #1
It's very difficult. Both my son and son-in-law are employed by the PA.

Guest, Male #4
The viability of this market you see here depends on the PA's salaries.

Reporter, Male #2
The sharp decline of the Palestinian economic index will not affect Israel, which continues to delay the monthly transfer of taxes in the amount of USD 100 million that it owes the PA. Amid the status quo, the PA has no choice but to go to the Arab countries and plead for urgent funds to help resolve its financial crisis, which is deepening due to the explosive political situation in the region that diverted attention from the Palestinian cause. Mohamed al-Sayyed, Dubai TV, Ramallah.

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Libyan expats vote in first post-Gaddafi election [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Libyan expats have started to vote in the general elections held for the first time since overthrowing Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's regime almost one year ago. In the Jordanian capital Amman, Libyan voters headed to the polling center of their country's embassy as the voting process is also starting for all Libyan communities around the world. Libyans abroad are part of the 2.7 million voters, and will choose members of the constituent assembly. Voting in Libya will start on Saturday.

Presenter, Female #1
Preparations for the National Assembly elections in Libya continue. It will be the first election after the revolution that toppled President Muammar al-Gaddafi's 40-year rule. The National Assembly will be tasked with assigning a prime minister, and drafting a new constitution.

Reporter, Male #1
Preparations for the parliamentary vote continue in Libya days before the first post-revolution elections. Libyans will head to the polling centers on Saturday to choose their ministers, who will assign a prime minister and write the country's new constitution nearly 40 years after al-Gaddafi rule started.

Reporter, Male #1
Almost 4,000 candidates are running in these elections, including 2,639 independent candidates. And nearly 3 million people, or 80 percent of those qualified to vote, have registered.

Reporter, Male #1
The competition is over 200 seats; 120 seats are reserved for independent candidates, and 80 are for political parties. And while some armed groups are calling for autonomy in Benghazi, it seems most are committed to national unity, as citizens vowed not to allow disturbances to the electoral process that Libyans have awaited for over four decades.

Guest, Male #2
We are against the sabotage and vandalism and chaos that happened before. We want these elections to work and continue, and things will be fine. No, no, no to federalism. 100 nos.

Reporter, Male #1
The Libyan High National Election Committee for the National Assembly vote confirmed that the elections will take place on schedule, warning against any disturbances to the voting process.

Reporter, Male #1
The electoral scene also fears violence as militias have taken to the street to rip banners, and condemn the current system. The latest such incident was the storming of the election commission office in Benghazi by armed men, who burned documents and voting cards and destroyed ballots boxes and computers. The protestors described the head of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, as Cyrenaica's traitor.

Guest, Male #3
We need someone who abides by the demands of the people. But Abdul Jalil, who can I say? Abdul Jalil sold the people, he sold his blood. This destruction is Abdul Jalil's fault. If he were with the people and worked with them, this wouldn't have happened.
Reporter, Male #1
However, the Libyan government announced it has a comprehensive security plan, and will deploy between 30 to 40 thousand security members on election day. Observers say the upcoming elections constitute a test for the new regime that is facing many challenges.

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Scores killed in Syria shelling [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said government forces killed 40 people today; most of them died in Daraa and the countryside of Damascus. Activists reported the city of Duma and the town of Arbin in the countryside of Damascus were heavily bombarded with mortar shells and tanks, leading to the killing of many people. Meanwhile, clashes continued between members of the regime's army and the Free Army in a number of areas.

Reporter, Female #1
Day after day, violence continues in Syria and the number of casualties rises. Since the early hours of the morning, Homs Province witnessed sporadic acts of violence. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, al-Rastan was heavily shelled and its residents took refuge in homes. Talbisa was also shelled as helicopters hovered above. According to the observatory, Jouret al-Shayyah was bombarded by regime forces attempting to storm the neighborhood. Dozens were killed by the shelling as heavy gunfire was heard. In the neighborhoods of the old city of Homs, signs of destruction were visible on houses, the result of mortar and artillery shells.

Reporter, Female #1
In Hama Province, Syrian regime forces stormed the neighborhood of Nureq, according to the observatory, and started a raid campaign as the deployment of the army was seen across Hama. In the countryside of Damascus, a number of citizens were killed near Duma and Harasta in clashes with regime forces, while successive explosions shook the city of Harasta, the result of the heavy shelling that targeted a number of neighborhoods, according to the observatory. In addition, the traces of the indiscriminate shelling were seen in the town of Arbil.

Reporter, Female #1
In Idlib, gunfire was reportedly heard coming from security checkpoints set up in villages. Protests were held in the disaster-stricken towns. A number of officers and soldiers defected in Jabal al-Zawiya, according the observatory, as clashes continued in Daraa and Deir az-Zour. Jemea Boulos, BBC.

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Russia will not take part in 'Friends of Syria' meeting in Paris [Press TV, Iran]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticizes the West for trying to distort an agreement reached on the crisis in Syria, saying some public statements made in recent days contradict agreements made in Geneva to end the violence in the country. Lavrov added that Russia will not take part in the so-called "Friends of Syria" meeting in Paris, as there is no need for such a gathering after the Geneva meeting.

Last week, foreign ministers from several Western and regional countries agreed that Syrians should take matters into their own hands, and agreed to the formation of a Syrian-led transitional government made up of current government officials and the opposition.

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Syrian opposition talks in Cairo fizzle [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile, Syrian opposition groups failed to bridge the gap on how to resolve the ongoing unrest in the country. Syrian opposition groups have been meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo to discuss unity plans. The talks, organized by the Arab League, were also attended by representatives from Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. Opposition groups from inside Syria have denounced the Cairo meetings, believing that the talks did not include all opposition parties and are therefore incapable of discussing the crisis.

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Palestinian youths protest against Israel talks [Press TV, Iran]

Palestinian protestors have gathered in Ramallah calling for the cancellation of any negotiations with Tel Aviv, after reports of a planned meeting between the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz and Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas. The protestors say Mofaz is responsible for crimes against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

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Israel: Kadima threatens to leave coalition after Netanyahu dissolves Plessner Committee [IBA, Israel]

The Israeli coalition government formed two months ago appears to be falling apart. Kadima lawmakers are furious and threatening to leave the coalition following Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to disband the Kadima-led Plessner Committee, which was charged with drafting an alternative to the Tal Law that stipulates the drafting of ultra-orthodox Israelis into the army.

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Iranian terror attack plot foiled in Kenya [IBA, Israel]

In Kenya, authorities believe they have foiled a terrorist attack plan by two Iranians, who officials say were plotting to attack Israeli, British, and Saudi targets inside the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement saying there are no limits to Iranian terror, and he added that the international community needs to fight the world's greatest exporter of terror. The suspects are believed to be members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. They were arrested on June 19 with 33 pounds of explosives.

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Morsi releases his first 100-day reform plan [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Female #1
The new Egyptian president has set a 100-day time frame to make tangible reforms in five areas that directly influence the citizens' lives. They are security, traffic, bread, cleanliness, and energy. And despite the depth of these problems and their difficulty to overcome, Egyptian citizens welcomed Dr. Mohamed Morsi's plan, in hopes it will be implemented within the specified time period.

Reporter, Female #2
Traffic, a loaf of bread, cleanliness, energy and security. These are five of the needs of the Egyptian people. For many years, some of these needs have not been met, and have been described by some as chronic problems, while other issues have even deteriorated recently. And because these five needs are most relevant to the citizens' everyday life, and since a shortage in any one of them quickly impacts the people, the new Egyptian President Dr. Mohamed Morsi has made these issues his priority.

Guest Male #1
These are behaviors that will not be changed easily. Security, the economy, and all these things will need a change in behavior the same way they need material and money. Money is not easy to get, but behavior is very important.

Guest, Male #2
The sewage system is non-existent; the slums are dirty; when bakeries receive 14 sacks of flour, they make bread with three and they sell the rest. All of these are known problems. Of course the thugs who want bread go and get it, but honest people don't get anything.

Guest, Male #3
When it comes to everything else, the people would probably have not cared, but it's different for bread. Everyone consumes it, and as you can see there are lines for bread everywhere, it is a big problem. As for security, no one trusts their safety on the street anymore. If he accomplishes this in only 100 days, it will be a great achievement, and he would have fulfilled some of the people's demands.

Reporter, Female #2
Dr. Mohamed Morsi promised to make tangible reforms that will impact the people within the first 100 days of his term in office. And although it is a short period of time, these social problems are ingrained and very difficult to overcome, but must be tackled. The Egyptian people are now aware, and will be able to recognize the changes impacting their lives.

Guest, Male #4
I don't want him to only care about Cairo; I want him to care for us in Upper Egypt, and to care about all the people.

Guest, Male #5
We should all support Dr. Mohamed Morsi to see if these five needs will be met, and if his Renaissance project will be implemented or not. If it does not, then the Egyptian people will have a say about it.

Reporter, Female #2
Despite the importance of the five problems that Dr. Mohamed Morsi is planning on tackling first, he still has another long list of problems that await him. Some are economic and others are social, in addition to the issues in the health and education sectors. The people are depending on a president they've long been waiting for, so that president can ease the suffering that has accompanied every part of their lives for a long time. Suzanne Mostafa, Nile TV.