Syria's political party law fails to mollify protestors [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three people, including a woman, were killed by the gunfire of Syrian security forces in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the arrest campaign continues in a number of regions.

Presenter, Male #1
The Observatory stated that night protests were held in Hama, Rif Dimashq, Homs, Deir az-Zour, Idlib and Latakia. The US State Department described the Syrian army's dealing with the protesters as "barbaric".

Reporter, Female #2
It is evident that the draft law allowing a multi-party system in a country that has been run by one party for many decades does not mean anything to these people. The Syrian street that rejects the Ba'ath Party and its rule wants more than just an outdated package of reforms. No promises, past or overdue, will make these masses return to their homes before their demands are met. In the darkness of the night, some Syrians chant for the dawn of freedom. Pharmacists and doctors demonstrated in Deir az-Zour, situated in the eastern part of the country. Syrian activists are expecting the largest number of protestors yet during the months Ramadan. Another round of peaceful protests for change will begin after the Taraweeh Prayers, and that is Damascus' worst fear. The Syrian government miscalculated its belief that it could end the crisis before the holy month. The Syrians rising up also have their own fears of an escalation of the already severe security crackdown. The residents of Hama know firsthand what the security agencies of Assad, the father, committed. And for those present in al-Assi Square, night and day alike, it seems they will not rest until the end of the Assad family's era. The legitimacy of the Syrian president is at stake domestically and internationally. The US state department's spokeswoman reiterated Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's previous statement that Bashar al-Assad is not indispensible. The State Department also described the Syrian army's actions against the protestors as "barbaric." But what comes after statements that seem stern in comparison to those issued in the first few months of the demonstrations. Syrians are not expecting nor do they wish for foreign intervention but similar to other Arab people rising up, they do want additional crimes to be committed in Syria without the knowledge of the world and without any retribution.

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UN envoy warns Yemeni state could collapse [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
At least 12 gunmen suspected to be affiliated with al-Qaeda were killed in southern Yemen. Civilians and soldiers were wounded in raids launched by Yemeni authorities on an extremist stronghold in Abyan province. Meanwhile, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirb is holding talks with British and other European officials to discuss the developments in his country. At the end of his mission, the UN secretary-general's envoy to Yemen, Jamal bin Omar, warned of the country's collapse and the severity of the security and living conditions in Yemen. He indicated that he will submit a report on the matter to the UN Security Council.

Reporter, Male #1
The UN secretary-general's envoy to Yemen, Jamal bin Omar, painted a disturbing picture of the situation in Yemen at the end of his mission in Sanaa. During his visit, he met with all sides of the conflict.

Guest, Male #1
Yemen is now suffering from the collapse of the state. There are ongoing wars in a number of regions. There are regions that acknowledge officials outside the authority of the state. This is a very serious situation.

Reporter, Male #1
The UN envoy admitted to the failure of his mission in Yemen, pointing to the Yemeni citizens' poor living conditions resulting from the political conflicts. He denied the existence of any other mediation or initiative to resolve the dilemma, but stressed the urgency and importance of reaching a quick solution.

Guest, Male #1
Therefore, it is an imperative and necessary step to escalate the process of entering a transitional phase in Yemen.

Reporter, Male #1
Hours before the UN envoy made these statements, Sanaa witnessed a massive demonstration in which tens of thousands of protestors demanded the departure of what they referred to as the "remainder of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime" The protestors also demanded the regime put an end to what they described as "collective punishment," which they say the regime is practicing indiscriminately against all citizens.

Guest, Male #2
This march is an extension of the previous march to demand the downfall of the remainder of the regime and to condemn the crimes of collective punishment committed against the Yemeni people, such as cutting off basic services in most neighborhoods.

Reporter, Male #1
Aden, Ibb, Taiz, Baida, Saada and other cities also witnessed overwhelming demonstrations. The protestors repeatedly accused President Saleh, who has been in a Saudi hospital for over a month, of being responsible for the devastating living conditions that plague the country.

Guest, Male #3
The young people came out today to condemn the collective punishment practiced by Ali Abdullah Saleh's authorities and the remainder of his regime. They are punishing the Yemeni people by cutting off the electricity and gas as Ramadan is approaching. They want to collectively punish the people because they took to the streets saying they want the downfall of the regime.

Reporter, Male #1
Meanwhile, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi is visiting the United Kingdom to meet with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and British Foreign Minister William Hague to explain the recent developments in his country. The EU and UK reiterated on more than one occasion their call on President Saleh to transfer power according to the Gulf initiative. The Gulf initiative was drafted at his request and in compliance with the European and US mediation. Europe and the US welcomed the initiative and announced their readiness to work with it. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

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Bahraini opposition to present evidence of regime's human rights violations [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female # 1
A number of Bahraini areas witnessed night demonstrations denouncing the crackdown, arrests, and arbitrary measures carried out by the authorities against the residents. And while the authorities conduct an arrest campaign targeting the protestors, al-Wefaq Society indicated that over 50 different kinds of violations were recorded and said conclusive evidence will be presented to the fact-finding commission.

Reporter, Male # 1
The Bahraini authorities' repressive measures are no longer a secret. The Bahraini opposition, headed by al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, confirmed it has conclusive evidence of these measures and will present them to the fact-finding commission despite its skepticism of the commission. In this context, leading member Hadi al-Musawi said the society has evidence of the repressive and sectarian measures enforced by official institutions, in addition to their clear revenge attack as seen in the irrefutable systemic punitive measures taken. He indicated that over 50 kinds of violations, described as shameful, were recorded. He added that they harm Bahrain's reputation, which is why the world sympathizes with the people. He pointed out that preventing freedom of speech is among the violations monitored by the society through complaints it has received, and which led to the killing and torture of protestors. It added that suspects were forced to sign false statements and were fired from their workplaces. He said that over 1,000 people were fired from the public sector, confirming that most dismissal decisions were made after the formation of the committee, which is another indicator of the authorities' lack of seriousness. With regards to the formation of Bahrain's national commission, which was called for by al-Wefaq, he said that 400 citizens with various backgrounds and age groups registered. He also confirmed that human rights workshops will be held to learn how to deal with victims. And despite the authorities' attempts to calm the situation with sham decisions, such as the formation of two dialogue and fact-finding committees, various regions and villages in Bahrain are still witnessing protests condemning the crackdown and the arbitrary arrests against the citizens. Demonstrations swept the villages of Barbar, al-Sanabis, Sharekhan, al-Kora, Mahza, al-Diyya, Ali, and others. Protestors confirmed their rejection of a dialogue that does not lead to the ability to elect members of the cabinet and parliament and to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

Guest, Male # 2 (Ayatollah Abdellah el-Gharifi, Bahraini religious scholar)
The sectarian approach is destructive to the country. As for the path to salvation from this wrong approach and from all the country's predicaments and crises, it is through a real political reform and not through a patchy change, and not though a marginalized parliament, and not through a tamed dialogue.

Reporter, Male # 1
The Saudi-backed Bahraini security forces continue a wide-scale arrest campaign in Mahza. Toxic gas was thrown in residential neighborhoods as army helicopters providing cover for the arrests hovered over demonstrations in the city of Zahra'. Meanwhile, residents responded by chanting 'God is great' on their rooftops, despite the siege imposed by the regime's forces on a number of areas and villages in the country.

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Tunisians call for a 'second revolution' [Press TV, Iran]

In Tunisia, 23 allies of ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife have appeared in court in the capital Tunis. The defendants were arrested in January while trying to flee Tunisia with jewels and foreign currency. Some of them are also accused of possessing drugs. Last month, Ben Ali and his wife were sentenced to 35 years in prison, possessing large sums of cash and jewelry. Ben Ali has also been sentenced to 15 and a half years in jail for possessing arms, drugs, and archeological artifacts. The trials of Ben Ali and his associates come after weeks of anti-government protests which ousted his regime earlier this year. This forced the former president and his wife to flee into exile to Saudi Arabia in mid-January.

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US, Western allies oppose Palestinian bid for statehood [Press TV, Iran]

Hundreds of Palestinians have gathered in front of the United Nations office in Gaza. They support efforts to seek UN recognition of an independent Palestinian state. The event was organized by the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The Palestinian Authority has long been seeking UN recognition of Palestinian statehood in accordance with the June 4, 1967 borders. The plan has been opposed by the US and some of its Western allies. Earlier this

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Revolutionaries refuse any initiative without Gaddafi's removal [Oman TV, Oman]

The UN envoy to Libya and the Benghazi base rebel council discussed ideas for ending the civil war but said a firm initiative had yet to take shape. With a diplomatic push to end the conflict gathering steam, Abdul Ilah Khatib said yesterday after the meeting that they would head to Tripoli today to converse government views. Senior rebel official, Mahmoud Jibreel said he had made it clear that the rebels would not accept any initiative that did not involve the removal of Gaddafi from power as a first step to peace. Khatif has said his idea involve an agreement on a ceasefire and simultaneously setting up a mechanism to manage a transitional period.

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UN set to airlift food to African famine zone [Oman TV, Oman]

France announced a donors' conference tomorrow in Nairobi to raise as much as 1.6 billion US dollars to help fight famine in Somalia and other drought-stricken areas in East Africa. The announcement came after an emergency meeting at the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO headquarters in Rome yesterday on the latest food crisis in east Africa. The UN is set to expand the area in southern Somalia classified as a famine area. The WFP estimates over 11.3 million people need aid across the drought-hit in East Africa.

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Iraq suffers from severe water shortage [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
Iraqi residents never thought of the day that water would become a problem in Iraq, a country where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers cross from the north to the south. Water shortages have become a real problem in Iraq, a country known as "The Land of the Two Rivers." Iraqi officials are citing factors attributed to nature as the causes of the problem. However, residents are blaming the government and accusing it of negligence and failing to find solutions to the crisis. Many have started to use traditional methods to secure their water needs. Shaifiq Abdul Jabar reports from Baghdad.

Reporter, Male #1
The living conditions of residents in this neighborhood are not any different than that of their counterparts in neighborhoods across the Iraqi capital. Here, the residents are suffering from a shortage of drinking water and water used for daily tasks. The water shortage is being attributed to aged and damaged water networks; a problem that is affecting both the rich and the poor. The problem is being described as "chronic," especially in absence of government solutions to end it. It requires a tremendous amount of effort and creativity to be able to secure or store a few gallons of water.

Guest, Male #2
As you can see, the coolers are empty and turned off. They don't have any water. They are not in service. There's no water.

Guest, Male #3
This is our life.

Reporter, Male #1
It's a difficult life, to say the least. It's taking place in a country known as "The Land of the Two Rivers." The residents of busy neighborhoods don't stay up late at night to study or have fun. Instead, they wait for whatever little water they can secure to quench their thirst. Water shortages in Iraq are adding an extra burden on families who are already suffering from the high cost of living. Many families have started to buy drinking water, which adds an extra expense to their fuel and electricity bills.

Guest, Male #4
A case of water costs 6,000 Iraqi dinars. We pay 6,000 dinars a day. Do the math.

Reporter, Male #1
The residents of this neighborhood didn't wait for the government's relief efforts and began searching for solutions.

Guest, Male #5 (Skip Guest Female #2, unclear and overlaps with Guest Male #5)
These are underground water wells. We rely on God. We use an electric pump to get water. We store the water in this underground well.

Reporter, Male #1
Obtaining drinking water in Iraq requires either digging an underground well inside one's home or allocating a monthly budget for buying water. The secret of life is no longer part of the sweet fresh water from the Euphrates in the Land of the Two Rivers. The people here are becoming more dependent on water bottles. They never thought the day would come when they had to pay for a sip of water. From Baghdad, Shafiq Abdul Jabar, Dubai TV.

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Netanyahu announces housing initiative [IBA, Israel]

The prime minister today convened a special press conference after he had promised he would deliver revolutionary change in the nations housing plan. Netanyahu took to the podium along Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Housing Minsiter Ariel Atias, and Deputy Minister for the Advancement of Young People, Students, and Women Gila Gamliel to outline his new measures. The first significant incentive will be offered to contractors that the Israel Land Administration will make property available at up to 50 percent less than today's values if they agree to the government's conditions. That means that they would build smaller apartments and that they would be entitled to sell half of those apartments at any price they like.

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Israel medical residents sign mass letters of resignation [IBA, Israel]

Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the prime minister to personally intervene in the ongoing crisis in the healthcare system. Doctors have now stepped up their protest actions. Over 100 residents arrived this morning at the Sheba medical center in Tel Hashomer to collectively sign letters of resignation, which they plan to submit if their demands are not met by the Treasury. Similar actions are being taken by residents at other hospitals across the country. For their part, Israel Medical Association officials continued their three-day march to Jerusalem today.

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Netanyahu postpones Poland trip as internal crises intensify [IBA, Israel]

The widespread press on Netanyahu to address the pressure here at home forced the prime minister to postpone a state visit to Poland today. According to sources in the prime minister's office, Netanyahu chose to stay in the country to focus on the housing reform, rather than travel to Warsaw as scheduled. Netanyahu's itinerary had not been officially released. The trip was expected to be part of Israel's efforts to discourage Polish support of a Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations in September.

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Are US-Saudi relations at risk? [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
An Israeli study raised questions about Saudi Arabia's ability to distance itself from the US despite the fact that the only Saudi official who has spoken on the issue is Prince Turki al-Faisal. Israel's carefully-drawn equation could not be altered by King Faisal, who became its victim.

Reporter, Female #2
Prince Turki al-Faisal waved the weapon of oil in the face of the US in an op-ed published in the Washington Post newspaper a month ago. In the article, he stated that there would be serious consequences for US-Saudi relations if the US vetoes the Palestinians' proposal for UN recognition of a Palestinian state. The article resurfaced in a new study on the US-Saudi relationship by the Begin-Sadat Center in Tel Aviv. The researcher said that Riyadh and Washington are still "very distant from parting ways," despite the Saudi leadership's anger toward the Obama administration. He noted that Saudis "are all bark and no bite." The Israeli researcher downplayed Turki al-Faisal's article as well as an article by Nawaf al-Obaidi, a security adviser working in a research center that belongs to Prince Turki. Al-Faisal's views were not seriously taken into consideration since he was appointed as director-general of the Saudi intelligence and was the Saudi ambassador in Washington and the UK several times, but was later pushed out. If such a position was taken by Saudi officials in power, then the US and Israel would not have reacted with such indifference. Proof is evident in King Faisal's position, which led to his assassination when he denied oil supplies to the West. He received a letter from the US in the mid-1970s that threatened the use of violence against Saudi Arabia in order to protect American interests. On that day, the king's response was "fine, God willing." Henry Kissinger, the secretary of state at the time, asked the king what his demands were in order for him to reverse the decision to stop supplying oil to the US. The king made the statement and followed it by saying he wishes to perform the two Rak'ah's in the al-Aqsa Mosque before his death. This position cost him his life. However, history does not forget. The Israeli study ruled out the possibility of a similar position in light of the strategic relations between the two countries, in addition to their economic, financial, and military relations. Saudi Arabia paid the US an estimated 90 billion dollars in one lump sum before even receiving weapons. And if relations with the US are to be severed, questions on the ability to regain this amount will rise. As for the more essential question, will the kingdom be able to stand against its ally the US, once again, and reinstate King Faisal's position?