Israeli navy takes over Gaza-bound protest boat [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Our al-Jazeera correspondent reported that the Israeli army seized the Dignity al-Karama ship headed to Gaza and escorted it to the port of Ashdod.

Presenter, Female #1
Israeli warships encircled the ship as it approached the coast of Gaza. The ship sailed Saturday evening from Greece with activists onboard. They said that their journey was supported by defenders of Palestinians' rights for freedom and dignity.

Reporter, Male #1
Israel carried out its vows of preventing any attempts to break the siege that it has been imposing on the Gaza Strip for years. It struck down efforts by international human rights organizations in solidarity with Palestinians trapped inside Gaza, the besieged land. Israeli naval forces took control of the French ship, Dignity al-Karama, with a number of activists and journalists onboard headed to Gaza in a new attempt to break the Israeli siege. According to Israeli sources, the forces led the ship to Ashdod Port, preparing to deport everyone onboard. Even though the Israeli army did not reveal the location where its forces intercepted the ship, activists and journalists asserted that their ship was sailing in international waters when it was seized. Dignity al-Karama is the only ship that survived the Greek authorities' ban on the largest flotilla preparing to sail to Gaza. Hundreds of human rights activists from 22 countries took part in the flotilla's sail. Athens said that its decision to ban Freedom Flotilla II was to protect the activists from any possible attack that the Israeli forces may launch to prevent it from arriving to Gaza. Some flotilla participants said that several ships anchored in Greece were subject to vandalism. Numerous activists believe that these events indicate that Israel is exerting broader pressure internationally to impede the efforts of supporters of Palestinians in Gaza to ease the sufferings of the civilians besieged in the Strip. These developments remind the people of the Israeli forces' attack on the Freedom Flotilla last year, which led to the deaths of a number of Turkish activists. Despite Israel's insistence on continuing its siege on Gaza, organizers of this flotilla believe that the Dignity al-Karam ship and the members onboard have delivered their message to the world that humanity in Gaza is suffering from suffocation and starvation.

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Syrian military operation intensifies in Homs [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
The Syrian people's prosecution of the regime in Damascus is ongoing. It is being carried out daily through day and night demonstrations and a series of strikes and protest actions. The latest took place today and was called the "Tuesday of Nashama" by the Syrian opposition, on the eve of "wounded Homs Wednesday."

Presenter, Female # 1
According to the Syrian Coordination Committees, the region of al-Khalidiya in Homs witnessed the killing of ten people when a funeral was targeted by gunfire. This comes as Syrian security forces continue their military operations in a number of cities and towns.

Reporter, Female # 2
Even the bodies of the deceased were not spared from the gunfire of security forces while en route to their final resting place. Syrian security forces did not differentiate between a funeral and a protest chanting for the downfall of the regime. The forces used live bullets against mourners in al-Khalidiya in Homs, leading to the killing of a number of people, including children. The surroundings of Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque in Homs witnessed extensive gunfire amid raids on residential neighborhoods, specifically al-Khalidiya, Talbisa, al-Bayada, Baba Amr, al-Insha'at, and Bab Tadmor, and around Qala'at Homs. The crackdown led to the killing of a number of people, including a 12-year-old boy; in addition, dozens of people were injured. The opposition's Local Coordination Committees said security forces and those it referred to as the "shabeha" are wreaking havoc on the streets and firing indiscriminately, while the electricity has been cut off in most of Homs' neighborhoods. In addition, it was reported that military reinforcement arrived in Busra al-Harir in al- Houran. This military escalation was met with massive demonstrations in most areas, as part of what was named the Tuesday of "Nashama al-furat," called for by the Syrian opposition. Meanwhile, calls continue for participation in what was named "Damascene Thursday," set to take place before the general strike on Saturday. Parallel to these developments and the military campaigns that also reached the areas of al-Zabadani and Qatana, additional defections from the army have been reported in the past few hours.

Guest, Male # 2
I announce my defection from the army, from the Syrian Arab Army. The reason is the security and the shabeha's crackdown on the revolutionaries.

Guest, Male # 3 (Ayman Kurdi, Defected Captain from the Syrian army)
I am Captain Ayman Kurdi from the Brigades of Free Officers. We announce that our mission in Homs, as in the rest of Syrian regions, is to protect the peaceful revolution for dignity in Syria and we stand against the regime's armed gangs and its shabeha.

Reporter, Female # 2
Artist Jalal al-Taweel also joined his colleagues opposing the regime and demanded its downfall while presenting his condolences in the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus. He called for supporting the city of Homs, currently witnessing attempts to stir sectarian strife. Night demonstrations continue in most areas, during which protestors chant for the downfall of the regime, rejecting dialogue before the resignation of President al-Assad.

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Fresh Yemeni rallies denounce American, Saudi domination [Press TV, Iran]

Protestors in Yemen have held fresh rallies against what they call the US and Saudi Arabia's domination over their country. Angry protestors have torn pictures of US President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. The protestors accuse Washington and Riyadh of making efforts to save Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. They have been demanding the downfall of Saleh's regime since February when they began anti-regime rallies. They want a new Yemen to be built and demonstrators also want Saleh and his regime officials to stand trial. This, they say for the killing of hundreds of protestors during months of anti-regime rallies.

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Libyan revolutionaries retake control of strategic Brega [Press TV, Iran]

NATO helicopters have attacked Libyan military convoys in the eastern town of Brega. Revolutionaries say the convoys were attacked as they tried to resupply Muammar Gaddafi's forces. A spokesman for the revolutionaries says aerial reconnaissance was gathered by NATO ahead of the attack. Meanwhile revolutionaries fighting Gaddafi forces announced they have retaken control of the strategic town of Brega. This, while heavy fighting continues in the western mountains. The Russian President, in the meantime, has called for a peaceful solution to months of fighting.

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Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of killing soldiers in mortar attack [Press TV, Iran]

Pakistan accuses neighboring Afghanistan of firing mortar shells across the border, killing four soldiers and injuring two others. Officials in Islamabad say the Afghan army has fired over 20 mortar shells into South Waziristan, a tribal region. They says the shells have is a paramilitary checkpoint. Afghan officials have yet to comment on the alleged attack. Cross-border violence between the two neighbors has risen in recent weeks. Pakistan's army says Afghan militants have killed dozens of security personnel in attacks on checkpoints and villages. Afghanistan also blames Islamabad for killing dozens of people in border villages.

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Seven Afghan police officers poisoned, shot dead [Press TV, Iran]

Meanwhile seven police officers have been killed in Afghanistan's restive southern Helmand province. The incident took place in the main provincial city of Lashkar Gah where foreign troops are due to hand over control to Afghan forces on Wednesday. Officials say the assailants first made the officers unconscious by poisoning their food, and then shot them. Investigations are underway in a separate incident in which militants killed two civilians.

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Dozens of PJAK terrorists killed in border clashes [Press TV, Iran]

Iran says it will seriously encounter any provocative measure along its border. Iran's foreign spokesman says terrorist groups aimed to create insecurity in Iran will receive a decisive response. The remarks follow an attack by terrorists against Iranian troops in northwest Iran near the Iraqi border. Dozens of PJAK members were killed, several more injured in Sunday's clashes in the city of Sardasht. Iran forces also took control of three PJAK camps inside neighboring Iraq. PJAK is an offshoot of the PKK group, which is known as a terrorist organization by much of the international community.

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Bahraini opposition group pulls out of national dialogue [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
A number of Bahraini opposition parties announced their intention to pull out of the national dialogue because of the way the authorities and organizers dealt with the opposition groups. They also attributed their reason for withdrawing to the authority's failure to accept their proposals to guarantee more political freedoms, stop the arrests, and end security violations. Meanwhile, the authorities in Manama continue to dismiss a number of employees and workers in state-run organizations for participating in the popular protests.

Reporter, Male #2
Just as the Bahraini opposition predicted, sessions of the national dialogue conference called for by Manama were stalled due to the manner in which the authority and dialogue organizers dealt with the opposition groups. Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society in Bahrain concluded the dialogue forum by announcing its withdrawal.

Guest, Male #3 (Jamil al-Kathim, Head of the Shura Council of al-Wefaq)
The Shura Council of Al-Wefaq agreed in its session today, Monday, on the public decision to withdraw from the national dialogue sessions.

Reporter, Male #2
In order for everyone to learn the reasons which prompted al-Wefaq Society to pull out of the dialogue, the Society released its political reform proposals that were submitted to the authority, which rejected them.

Guest, Male #4 (Khalil Marzouq, Head of al-Wefaq's dialogue delegation)
The drafting of a constitution was not accepted; a constitutional monarchy was not accepted; an elected government was not accepted; a government by the people's will was not accepted.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Wefaq also unveiled letters it sent to the authorities urging them to increase the seriousness of the dialogue, but received no positive response from the authority and the dialogue organizers.

Guest, Female #1 (Bashra al-Hindi, member of al-Wefaq's dialogue delegation)
Al-Wefaq has sent more than one letter in order to take part in deciding the specific approaches in administering the dialogue, but the existing administration does not want to engage in a real dialogue.

Reporter, Male #2
Coinciding with al-Wefaq's announcement to withdraw from the dialogue, three liberal opposition groups in Bahrain also hinted in their statement that they may pull out of the talks as well. They said that the dialogue is not accepting any proposals that entail guaranteeing more political freedoms and putting an end to the arrests and security violations. Regarding the record of violations that the Bahraini authorities exercise against the protestors demanding reforms and freedom, a number of people subjected to these violations during their arrest spoke of the horrific details after they were released.Released Bahraini poet and activist Ayat al-Qurmazi is one of the people subjected to the violations.

Guest, Female #2 (Ayat al-Qurmezi, released Bahraini poet)
These violations are extremely heinous, inhumane, completely inhumane. Why? Why is there no monitoring of these violations in the prisons? The people who tortured us had no mercy at all. If they saw us resting, for example, they would come and heighten their torture.

Reporter, Male #1
Another example of the human rights violations in Bahrain is the campaign of firing employees, workers, teachers, and students because they participated in the popular protests. Dozens of administrative employees at Bahrain University confirmed that the university administration dismissed them from their positions and transferred them to disciplinary councils. A number of teachers said that they received letters to attend a disciplinary council to prepare for their dismissal. Amid these developments, the coalition of the Youths of the February 14 Revolution called on the public participate in a fourth massive demonstration under the slogan "Self Determination IV." The coalition affirmed in a statement that the demonstration will be held in the ad-Diraz region, west of the capital Manama this coming Friday.

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Palestinians say Israeli building plans destroys peace process [IBA, Israel]

The government's decision to build more housing in two settlements has drawn ire among Palestinians who claim that the move destroys the peace process and further pushes the PA towards seeking UN recognition of a Palestinian state come September. At the same time, EU foreign ministers are trying to stave off that initiative. For the first time since the ten month moratorium on building settlements ended last September the Construction and Housing Ministry has published tenders for 336 new housing units. The building is part of the 7,000 tenders for new apartments and communities nationwide that the government announced yesterday as part of the effort to alleviate the housing crisis.

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Egyptian protestors reject cabinet reshuffle [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Male #1
In Egypt, new consultations are expected to be held over the Cabinet reshuffle. It is not clear when the ceremony for the new government will be held as the constitutional oath set to take place before the Military Council yesterday was postponed. Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, who is under tremendous pressure from the protestors, was admitted to a hospital last night for a brief period of time due to a drop in blood pressure. Even though the Cabinet reshuffle is aimed at placating those criticizing and accusing the current government of procrastinating in implementing reforms, the Egyptian protestors do not consider the reshuffle to be sufficient. The latest demonstrations targeted the candidate for the Antiquities Ministry. Egyptian state-run television reported that preparatory work will start on September 18 for the Egyptian parliamentary elections, which were postponed days ago, to this coming November. It also reported that the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces issued a decision to form a high electoral committee led by the head of the Cairo Court of Appeal, Counselor Abdul Mughni Ahmed Ibrahim. The military council has been administrating the affairs of the country since former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February.

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Tunisian PM condemns violence [Dubai TV, UAE]

In Tunisia, Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi said violent acts witnessed in the country are aimed at preventing the elections. He warned that extremist political groups are trying to derail the date of the elections. He confirmed that they will be held on October 23 as scheduled. The protests recently witnessed in Tunisian cities led to the killing of one person following a wave of riots that swept the capital Tunis and a number of cities. This comes as Tunisian police fired in the air to control a crowd in Sidi Bouzid who tried to attack soldiers. Sidi Bouzid is the town where street vendor Muhammad Bouazizi lit himself on fire in December 2010. It was the spark that ignited the revolutions of the 'Arab Spring' sweeping most of the region today.

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Syria's Jisr al-Shughour residents return from Turkey [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Male #1
Residents of Jisr al-Shughour city continue to return to their villages and towns from the Turkish camps after groups of armed terrorists forced them to escape from their homes.

Presenter, Female #1
Everyday, the city and its surrounding villages welcome new returnees. Today, 198 citizens returned to the region.

Reporter, Female #1
They waited with their patience running out, and endured immense suffering in the camps. Their delayed return was not intentional. Certain conspiring satellite TV channels promoted biased and deceiving rumors to help terrorist groups, whom they paid, play a fundamental role in spreading lies and hypocritical reports that slander the army's integrity by saying that it deliberately prevented the refugees from returning home. However, with feelings of endearment towards their country and in response to the call for rationality, many refugees broke the barrier of fear and flocked back to their country. They find that the Syrian army is the first to welcome them there. Everyone who has returned to the city confirmed this fact.

Guest, Male #1
I am Mukhtar from Marjzour village of Jisr Shughour city in Idlib province. Thank God, the situation is very relaxed, and thank god, we thank the army and the security forces. They were the first ones to welcome us.

Guest, Female #2
Thank God there is security, and the people are very kind.

Reporter, Female #1
The local coordination committees continue exerting their efforts side by side with the government to secure the return of the small number of Syrians staying in the camps and to guarantee their smooth and easy arrival at their homes. This comes after security forces and the army reassured the people, and stability and normal life returned to the city and its countryside.

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IDF warplanes continue Gaza air strikes [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Female #1
In the occupied Palestinian territories, the Israeli occupation's warplanes continued their air strikes on the Gaza Strip. They targeted the town of Khuza'a in Khan Younis with rockets, severely wounding two Palestinians. Two other Palestinians were also injured after settlers assaulted them while they were herding their sheep in the Michmash region in the West Bank. Occupation forces arrested two more Palestinians during a wide scale raid campaign in a number of cities and villages in the West Bank. To complete their Judaization operation, the occupation authorities approved a settlement plan to build 336 new settlement units in the West Bank. Palestinians strongly condemned the settlement plan, considering it another reason for appealing to the United Nations to recognize a Palestinian State.

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UNESCO affirms commitment to resolutions on Jerusalem [Syria TV, Syria]

Presenter, Male #1
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) affirmed its commitment to the international resolutions regarding East Jerusalem City. The organization said that the Old City of Jerusalem is included on the World Heritage List and the list of the World Heritage in Danger. It added that according to the UN resolutions, Jerusalem is still an inseparable part of the occupied Palestinian territories, and its final status should be discussed within the permanent status negotiations. In this context, the organization affirmed that its position on Jerusalem has not changed, indicating that it is ensuring respect for the value of the world cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Arab League requested UNESCO not capitulate to foreign pressure regarding the occupied Jerusalem and abide by the international resolutions.