Anti-regime Yemenis in Taiz met with violence [Press TV, Iran]

Anti-regime protestors in Yemen have once again taken to the streets calling for freedom and the establishment of civilian rule. Thousands of protestors have come out onto the streets after afternoon prayers. The demonstrators are calling for an end to the Saudi-backed Sanaa regime. Earlier in Taiz, embattled Ali Abdullah Saleh's Republican Guards opened fire on protestors, killing at least one and injuring several. The city's population was among the first to rise up against Saleh's decades-long rule.

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Dozens of revolutionaries killed in battles of Libyan oil town [Press TV, Iran]

In Libya, the battle for the oil town of Brega has claimed the lives of dozens of revolutionary forces. Medical sources say that over 50 revolutionaries have been killed in six days of fighting with the forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Scores of others have been wounded. Brega ahs changed hands several times over the past few days and the uprising in Libya has liberated much of the country's territory from Gaddafi's control. But some regions, including the capital, Tripoli, are still controlled by the Libyan ruler's forces.

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Ahmadinejad: Tehran not seeking nukes [Press TV, Iran]

Iran's president has once again dismissed Western allegations that the Islamic Republic is after nuclear weapons. In a speech in the southeaster city of Karaman, Mahmud Ahmadinejad said Tehran does not need nukes. He added that if Tehran was after such unconventional weapons it would have publically announced it. He also rejected the claims that Iran is a threat to Middle East states and Europe as sheer lies. He added that Iran has never been the aggressor in its history.

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NATO raid kills three civilians in eastern Afghanistan [Press TV, Iran]

US-led NATO troops have killed at least three Afghan civilians in the east of the country. Locals say the civilians were killed in an overnight operation in Wardak province. They say a number of others were also arrested in the region, however, NATO has claimed that those killed and detained were militants. The fresh attack comes after a similar NATO raid killed one person and injured several more in Kapisa province. The UN has said in a report that the number of Afghan civilians killed during the first six months of 2011 rose 15 percent compared with a year earlier.

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Violence intensifies in Syria's Homs province [Press TV, Iran]

Violence is reportedly intensifying in the central Syrian city of Homs. A local newspaper says that at least 13 army and security personnel have been killed and another 100 injured this year in clashes with armed groups in the city. Meanwhile a rights activist claims that government forces have shelled Homs leaving two people dead and 70 more injured. Heavy gunfire has been reported in parts of the city. Authorities say that security forces are fighting armed gangs in Homs, but activists say the violence is part of what they call the government's crackdown on protests.

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Syria launches broad military campaign in Homs [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Joining us in the studio to discuss the subject of Syria is Mohamed Fatouh, managing editor of Levant News website. Welcome Mr. Mohamed. So we are following what appears to be a broad security and military campaign in areas of Homs province. These regions are isolated from other places and reports indicate that two people have been killed so far. Judging by the information you have of this campaign, what would you say is its intended purpose?

Guest, Male #1 (Mohamed Fatouh, Managing Editor of Levant News)
Well, the regime has been repeatedly saying that armed terrorist groups have been creating conflicts since day one. And day after day, the regime storms cities with tanks and heavy weaponry, which it says is in preparation to free Golan. But unfortunately, all these weapons are headed to Syrian cities. Several days ago, the regime tried to suggest that there was sectarian strife in Homs and started encouraging the shebaha, gangs, and militias linked to the regime to attack residents. When this plan, or action, failed, the regime's military forces attacked the people, like we're seeing today.

Presenter, Female #1
Some anti-regime protestors are saying that sporadic clashes may indeed have occurred in Homs. Why is the regime resorting to a broad military campaign, such as the one we are following in Homs, for what it says to be sectarian strife, while some say that this approach did not succeed in other regions such as Jableh, Latakia and Banias?

Guest, Male #1
The sectarian card did not succeed. The regime tried it in more than one location, such as Banias, where it had tried it before and did not succeed either. Then, when the regime fails to create an excuse for its security solution, it wants to create some sort of conflict to be able to say that the regime is the only hope and solution. Then it intervenes.

Presenter, Female #1
Mr. Mohamed, you say that it did not succeed, but at the same time, we saw in this report and in previous days that there are people who came out to support and speak for the regime, and they are quite large in number.

Guest, Male #1
When I said "succeed," I meant to create an actual sectarian strife. Initially, this thought and attempt was what the regime was following, and under this pretext it began its military operations. But it did not succeed in turning it into a civil conflict between sects, which is what I meant. In reality, the regime doesn't need any excuses to start military operations, but every time, it comes up with a different excuse. This is not only in Homs. The situation now is very dangerous in al-Bukamal as well. The regime's media has begun promoting the idea of conflicts incited by armed groups and terrorists and the authorities have closed the border-crossings with Iraq. Rif Dimashq is also under a siege, as well as Harasta and Duma. Secondly, the matter is not limited to Homs. There is now a conflict erupting in every city.

Presenter, Female #1
After numerous news channels reported on the anticipated speech from the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, some media networks said that he will cancel the 8th article and will call for presidential elections. An official source denied this information. It seems that the military solution is the main approach being used by the government. What is lacking on the opposition's side, which has failed so far to unite its groups and draw a framework? You participated in the opposition conferences, what is the opposition doing wrong now?

Guest, Male #1
Indeed, the opposition has not managed to reach a consensus yet on forming a unified leadership council that includes all parties and satisfies all sides. The problem in every conference is that there are people who oppose to it, agree to it, pull out of the talks, or never attend them. So far, we still have a very weak foundation for unifying all Syrian parties. In fact, internally, the Syrian street has a stronger ability to unify its groups without discrimination between one another, be it liberal, Islamic, Christian, Kurdish Muslim, or Arab Muslim. Unfortunately, this is not the situation at the overseas conferences.

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Democracy: Post-revolution Egypt-style [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
New members of the Egyptian government were sworn in today after the ceremony had been postponed for several days due to controversy over the cabinet reshuffle.

Presenter, Male #1
Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Essam Sharaf completed the consultation on the new government formation today shortly before the new ministers were sworn in by Field Marshall Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces.

Reporter, Female #1
If you are in Egypt after the revolution, then do whatever you want. You are now practicing democracy that was forbidden for 60 years. You can reject, demand, protest, go on hunger strikes, and try whomever you want in Tahrir Square. Moreover, give every Friday whatever name you like: "Friday of Constitution First", or "Friday of Revolution on the Revolution", or "Friday of Final Warning", or "Friday of Stability", or "Friday of Determination", or "Friday of Protecting the Law." The new government was sworn in before Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces. The newly formed ministerial cabinet includes personnel that the former regime excluded, who were known for having peculiar points of views and experiences. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf kept some of his promises, but Tahrir Square is still anxiously waiting for more official responses to their demands. Some activists demand the ouster of Sharaf. Some people in the new coalitions believe that Sharaf took advantage of the revolution to benefit a counter-revolution, as if he wasn't declared the prime minister in Tahrir Square itself. The Square is preparing for what is named the "Friday of Stability", or the "Friday of Determination", to reiterate the same demands that were raised last week. Their top demand is to accelerate the process of trying the former regime's high officials, while the former president is said to be suffering from a stroke. As for this coming Friday, a new demand was added to reject the new document of constitutional principles that the military council announced in its last statement. These principles will determine the features of the constitutional amendment committee. This will not only be a Friday that reflects the people's persistence in protecting the revolution from all the dangers surrounding it, but also one that reflects the division in the positions of the revolutionary public. Islamic movements are split over tomorrow's rally, as well this past Friday's protest. Some Salafi and Islamic associations will take part in the "Friday of Stability", while the Muslim Brotherhood and Sufi Methods are boycotting it. They will instead call for beginning elections, which they say is the shortest way to the country's stability. Furthermore, the Muslim Brotherhood announced that a protest will be held on July 29 to oppose the document of constitutional principles, which supposedly prevents any political bloc or orientation from dominating the new constitutional amendment committee. This is the situation in Egypt: there are political parties, coalitions, committees to protect the revolution, as well as demands, responses, maneuvers around the demands, documents above the constitution, the people's warnings, counter-warnings from the military, government ousters, new formations, confused priorities, disputes, and lack of experience to deal with disputes in an orderly fashion. Meanwhile, only hours are left before the Friday that seeks stability and three months before the parliamentary elections which are supposed to lay a foundation for the desired civil state.

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Labor court orders doctors back to work [IBA, Israel]

As hospital work sanctions worsen dramatically today, even following a Labor Court decision ordering doctors back to work. Some physicians threatened a hunger strike, while the nurses' union threatened a general strike. The ongoing medical work dispute today intensified as residents flooded emergency rooms at three Tel-Aviv area hospitals as part of a mass sit-in protests. Ten others have declared a hunger strike. Nurses at one hospital abandoned their posts in all six wings, protesting the facility's violation of an agreement and Health Ministry orders to add more staff. The nurses say that if the situation hasn't improved in two weeks, they will walk off their jobs all together.

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Israel housing protests gain new momentum [IBA, Israel]

The nationwide housing protests have taken on new momentum today as activists blocked a key intersection in Tel Aviv and protested outside the Interior Ministry here in Jerusalem. Today marks a turning point in strategy. What began as a small and almost passive sleep-in on Rothschild Boulevard here in Tel Aviv has garnered supporters across the country who are demanding action. Organizers are planning a large scaled rally this Saturday. They have called on all activists to move their tent cities to Tel Aviv to make a sweeping statement to Israel's upper echelon.

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Humanitarian situation in Yemen's Saada remains poor one year after the war [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male # 1
Yemeni Deputy Information Minister Abdo al-Janadi said the United States recently offered logistic support to forces allied to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Al-Janadi clarified that Washington brought the forces food supplies when they were besieged in the city of Zinjibar. He added that American forces are financially aiding Saleh's regime in southern Yemen. Meanwhile, local sources confirmed that foreign vessels and ships are spread near the coasts of the city of Zinjibar, indicating that they could belong to the US. One year after the end of the sixth war in northern Yemen's Saada, the province is enduring a harsh humanitarian situation. Since 2004, the region has witnessed six wars that have left behind massive destruction in the cities of the province. Our correspondent Awsam el-Qatib visited the area and has the following report.

Reporter, Male # 2
All the directorates in the city of Saada are trying to rise up from destruction. Over one year after the end of the sixth war that devastated the province, the city's situation remains bleak, even if its residents are trying to heal from their injuries and pick up what remains of their lives in order to build a better future. This province has witnessed six wars; the harshest was its last, in which the Saudi Kingdom targeted the Houthi group. Not one stone or tree was spared in the last war. In addition, it created a significant humanitarian crisis with over 1,200 civilians killed, including 93 children, and countless tragedies and physical disabilities.

Guest, Male # 3 (Abed el-Faydee, teacher and preacher)
I was hit in the beginning of the second war. Here in this area, I was walking home when I was subject to an assassination attempt. I used to be a preacher at the mosque. There are hundreds, hundreds of injured people. We are still suffering. A lot has changed since the assassination attempt but we cannot leave.

Reporter, Male # 2
The number of tragedies left behind by Saada's war is as large as the level of destruction. In addition, land mines and cluster bombs still present a danger. The repercussions of the war have left a heavy burden on civilians in the province, both economically since most residents depend on farming for their livelihood, and socially since most of the province's residents are still displaced and can't return to their homes. Those homes were destroyed by the wars. At the end of each of the six wars waged in Saada, the Yemeni government admits to the great destruction and miseries created by the wars. However, reports by the Houthis' media center cause additional concerns, especially after the center released photographic documentation of the scale of the tragedy. Over 6,000 air raids and 70,000 missiles were launched by the Saudi army in the sixth war alone. They led to the destruction of nearly 2,000 houses, schools, and mosques. It is certain that the situation in the province will continue to deteriorate if its residents' hardships continue to be ignored. Awsam el-Qatib, al-Alam, from the city of Saada, northern Yemen.

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Israeli officials fear travel to Europe over arrest warrants [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
Israeli leaders have been forbidden from traveling in fear of arrest as the siege on Gaza has been tightened following the Freedom Flotilla.

Reporter, Female # 1
Israeli leaders are avoiding travel to Europe and a number of countries around the world. As part of the isolation campaign waged against Israel, Freedom Flotilla activists petitioned Spain to issue arrest warrants as a result of last year's bloody attack. The request includes Netanyahu, Barak, Liberman, Dan Meridor, Moshe Ya'alon, Benny Begin, and Israeli Navy commander General Eliezer. They are accused of committing crimes against humanity and the imprisonments, expulsion and torture of individuals. In Belgium, four Freedom Flotilla activists presented similar summons. In France, a criminal case was filed against Ehud Barak. It includes abduction accusations and use of violence claims. In Greece, flotilla activists presented a case against Barak, Ashkenazi and Marom. The accusations include the violation of international conventions and piracy. The request was also extended to Turkey. However, Israel's major fear is for the claims to reach England, where rules are more stringent, especially since Tel Aviv has already experienced attempted arrests that it avoided in the last minute. Former Defense Minister Amir Peretz escaped from London last month because police there intended to arrest him for war crimes. Tzipi Livni also escaped months ago. Last year, Member of the Knesset Avi Dichter intended to attend a summit in Madrid to look into peace in the Middle East. However, he cancelled his participation after the Spanish Ministry of Justice informed him that it cannot grant him immunity if he comes to Spain due to the warrant out for arrest. Among those who escaped, or were aided in escaping, or avoided travel in fear of arrest, is Defense Minister Ehud Barak, General Doron Almog, Netanyahu's Secretary Yohanan Locker, who accompanies the prime minister on all of his European travels. Recently, Israeli officials have resorted to falsifying their travels. IDF Spokesperson Avi Benyahu admitted to visiting London last March by using another name in fear of arrest over war crime charges against the Palestinians.

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Egypt's revolution ushers in a new era of media freedom [Nile TV, Egypt]

Presenter, Male #1
"Gunshot" is the title of the documentary that won first place at Cairo University's Mass Media Faculty graduation projects. The film documents the events of the 18-day-long January 25 Revolution from the very beginning.

Presenter, Female #1
The film displays the events that occurred before and after the revolution and confirms the extent of the freedom delivered by the revolution.

Reporter, Male #2
It seems as though the January 25 Revolution has become a secret code for all creative and brilliant work. It influenced all graduation projects submitted by Cairo University's students of the Mass Media Faculty. These projects were well received by all professors and students because of the contemporary issues they raised that speak of our reality in a more courageous way.

Guest, Male #3 (Dr. Imad Makkawi, Dean of Cairo University's Mass Media Faculty)
The films are well produced and the students freely expressed and visualized Egypt's situation today. This will also reoccur in the near future.

Guest, Female #2 (Jihan Yusri, Training Supervisor at the Media Faculty)
They had an idea and the writing was good. They put in a lot of effort.

Guest, Male #4 (Dr. Adli Rida, Head of Radio and Television Department)
This makes us happy for the future of Egypt's media. A new generation is graduating; it is highly conscientious and capable of conveying the media's message with a high level of professionalism.

Reporter, Male #2
"Gunshot" is a bold documentary submitted by students. It generated significant attention for the events it covered during the various phases of the revolution, from its beginning until today. The students proved to truly be the revolutionaries of modern Egyptian media.

Guest, Female #3 (Shima Zhaki, student member of film production team)
We reenacted some of the revolution's events. Those who watch the film will further understand the events.

Guest, Female #4 (Rim Ahmed, student member of film production team)
When deposed President Hosni Mubarak would make his speeches as people were dying and being martyred in Tahrir Square, he would say, "I will live, and die on the land of this country."

Guest, Female #5 (Nada Khaled, student member of film production team)
In "Gunshot," we tried to depict reality and our hardships at this very moment.

Reporter, Male #2
The student graduation projects in the Mass Media Faculty showcased bold clips and reenactments that we have not seen in Egyptian media for a long time. This proves that the era of genuine freedom has taken its first steps following the January 25 Revolution. Mohamed Helmi, Nile TV.