Syria's Aleppo under heavy fire; 40 regime soldiers killed in fighting [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 40 members of the Syrian regime's armed forces were killed in clashes at a police station in the city of Aleppo. The Syrian Revolution's General Commission said violent clashes are ongoing between the forces of the regime's army and the Free Syrian Army in Aleppo. Our BBC correspondent said that armed opposition fighters confirmed that reports of the regime forces' advance into the Salad ed-Din neighborhood are untrue. Meanwhile, the residents of the city continue to be displaced and head toward the Turkish territories.

Reporter, Male #2
Days after Damascus witnessed relative calm, the battles were renewed between the government forces and the Free Syrian Army in many parts of the capital. Clashes erupted in the neighborhood of al-Tadamon and the Yarmouk camp that is home to Palestinian refugees.

Reporter, Male #2
In Aleppo, the battles are ongoing between the Free Syrian Army and the regime's army. Opposition sources said fierce clashes erupted near the headquarters of an intelligence branch and the Salihin police station. The Salad ed-Din neighborhood is still the focal point of the struggle over the largest Syrian city of Aleppo. Taking control of the city is considered a strategic gain, and a decisive factor in the power balance between the two sides of the struggle.

Reporter, Male #2
And, while the official media announced that the regime's army is controlling the Salad ed-Din neighborhood in the city of Aleppo after fierce battles left dozens dead, the armed opposition in Aleppo denied the government's claim.

Guest Male #2 (Abdel Jabar Akidi, Leader of Aleppo's Military Council)
My dear brother, this lying regime, this lying media... I dare the regime to have entered a single meter into the Salad ed-Din neighborhood. This lying regime... It's the opposite. We're the ones who are fighting against this regime. It has 4 buildings by al-Hamdaniya. Yes, yesterday, we attacked them and liberated one of the buildings. The criminal regime's forces are deployed in al-Hamdaniya neighborhood, and on the pedestrian side of Ramusi Bridge. They shelled these neighborhoods with planes and tanks, and still they can't advance a single meter into these neighborhoods. Today, this morning, the Saliheen division was liberated, and all those inside were killed, including the head of the division Brigadier-General Ali.

Reporter, Male #2
After the Free Syrian Army took control of the strategic Adnan checkpoint only a few kilometers away from the city of Aleppo, the road to Turkey is now able to receive additional support. This video posted by activists online shows the aftermath of the shelling of the Old City of Homs.

Reporter, Male #2
And despite the deteriorating security conditions, videos were posted on the Syrian revolution's websites showing protestors in a number of Syrian cities cheering the Free Army, and condemning the shelling of Damascus and Aleppo by the regime. Protests were also held in Douma and Harasta, and the neighborhood of al-Muhajireen, and Qabr Atka in Damascus.

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Syria accuses armed rebels of committing crimes against civilians [Press TV, Iran]

Clashes between Syrian forces and militants rage on in the city of Aleppo. In the latest news, the government says its forces are gaining considerable ground in the city while keeping things calm in the capital. Government forces say they have taken over most parts of Aleppo and are working on the rest. The Syrian army says it has inflicted heavy losses on the militants, but it is accusing them of using civilians as human shields in the country's biggest city, taking its complaint to the United Nations.

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Saudi anti-regime protestors stage rallies in Qatif [Press TV, Iran]

Demonstrators take to the streets in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province to call for the downfall of the al-Saud dynasty. Protestors also chanted slogans in solidarity with the Bahraini revolution. They are angry at the Saudi regime over its military intervention in the small Persian Gulf kingdom to crush the popular uprising there.

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Pakistan, US sign NATO convoy deal [Press TV, Iran]

Washington and Islamabad signed a deal outlining the movement of foreign supply trucks through Pakistani soil. The US charge d'affaires in Pakistan, Richard Hoagland, said that the two countries signed a deal that respects Pakistan's sovereignty as requested by Pakistan's parliament. Under the memorandum of understanding, supply trucks for US-led forces stationed in Afghanistan will be allowed to cross Pakistani territory until the end of 2015. In return, the US will release USD 1.1 billion in aid to Pakistan.

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US defense secretary visits Egypt's President Morsi during Middle East tour [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made a short stop in Cairo for several hours following his visit to Tunisia. Panetta discussed with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi the democratic changes in Egypt, and affirmed the US's support for reforms in the country. Panetta will leave Egypt to the occupied territories as part of his regional tour.

Presenter, Female #1
According to Egyptian news agencies, an agreement between President Mohammed Morsi and the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshall Tantawi has been reached over key ministerial posts, especially in the interior, defense, and justice ministries. The spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said the new cabinet will be announced next Thursday.

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Eight killed as clashes erupt between Yemeni forces and Saleh's loyalists in Sanaa [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
In Yemen, eight people were killed in armed clashes around the headquarters of the Interior Ministry in the capital Sanaa. The clashes erupted between the ministry's security guards and gunmen dressed in police uniforms demanding compensation. Eyewitnesses said that the sound of gunfire echoed across the capital. An Interior Ministry source accused the sacked police chief, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullah al-Qawsi, of being behind the clashes for inciting the protestors.

Presenter, Female #1
Joining us via phone is our correspondent in Sanaa, Abed al-Rahman al-Shimiri. Abed al-Rahman, what triggered the clashes, and what is the updated death toll?

Guest, Male #1 (Abed al-Rahman al-Shimiri, Dubai Correspondent in Sanaa)
Well, Sahar, these clashes first erupted three days ago. The clashes erupted between soldiers demanding employment, as promised by al-Qawsi, and the ministry's security guards. The soldiers attempted to storm the ministry.

Guest, Male #1
Today at eight am, the clashes started again and ended a few hours ago, following mediation efforts and an intervention by the president. Incoming news indicate that the protestors were demanding their legitimate rights, including employment, which the ministry rejected. The Joint Meeting Parties coalition accused armed groups loyal to former President Saleh of storming the ministry in an attempt to disrupt the political process. As far as the death toll is concerned, some news agencies estimated that 8 people were killed and that several others were wounded.

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Turkey grants Iraqi VP permanent residency [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Turkey has granted Iraqi vice president, Tareq al-Hashemi, permanent residency. Al-Hashemi is wanted for his involvement in killings and terrorism in his country. And with that, Turkey has ignored the arrest warrant issued by the Interpol for al-Hashemi, who has been in Istanbul for three months. It also ignored the Iraqi authorities' request to send him back.

Reporter, Male #2
After Syria, Ankara's relationship with Iraq has now been strained, and Turkey has opened the door to political conflicts after granting fugitive Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi political asylum. Al-Hashemi is accused of participating in terrorist acts in his country. According to observers, Turkey's decision can be explained through its judicial and political dimensions. Ankara challenged the arrest warrant issued by the Interpol for al-Hashemi, who has been Istanbul for 3 months, and ignored Baghdad's demand to hand him over so he can be tried. This has forced Baghdad to try al-Hashemi in absentia.

Reporter, Male #2
And despite the Iraqi government's attempts to establish good relations with its northern neighbor, with the aim of positively influencing the internal and regional fronts, it seems that Nouri al-Maliki's visits to Ankara did not succeed in convincing Iraq's northern neighbor to stop interfering in its affairs. Such interferences only result in fueling disputes between the different Iraqi political wings and forces. But not only did Ankara interfere in Iraq's political affairs, it also established independent economic relations with the Kurdistan region. Ankara proposed separate oil deals with Erbil, completely disregarding Baghdad's stance on the issue.

Reporter, Male #2
Al-Hashemi had fled to northern Iraq, and then visited Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He later sought refuge in Turkey after Iraqi television stations broadcast confessions by employees at his office and his guards, speaking about his involvement in dozens of terrorist operations in his country, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Iraqi police members, and civilians in Baghdad and other areas.

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Car bombs kill 12 in central Baghdad as wave of attacks continues in Iraq [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Also in Iraq, at least 12 people were killed and nearly 30 others were injured after two booby-trapped vehicles exploded in the area of al-Karrada in central Baghdad. Witnesses said that black smoke rose from the site of both explosions that were only minutes apart. One of the explosions took place on a busy intersection in the area of al-Karrada. The explosions come after a series of attacks in Baghdad and other areas of the country last week that resulted in the deaths of over 100 people, and was part of an orchestrated plan to escalate the acts of violence.

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Israeli cabinet passes controversial economic plan to raise taxes, cut budget [IBA, Israel]

The Israeli cabinet passed the controversial economic plan that calls for budget cuts and increasing taxes. Prices are set to rise tomorrow in a number of areas for items such as gasoline and alcohol, while cigarette prices already rose last week. Income taxes will also rise beginning in January 2013. However, value-added tax will stay as is for the time being due to a technicality. The new tax increases and budget cuts are expected to cost the average household an estimated 1,700 shekels a year.

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China and Iran condemn US presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Israel statements [IBA, Israel]

More fallout today comments made this week in Israel by American presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described Romney's visit as "kissing the foot of the Jewish state." China also said that Romney's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel "harmful" to an already-tense Middle East situation.

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Special Tribunal for Lebanon dismisses challenges to its legitimacy [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male #1
The trial of those accused of assassinating martyred Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and his colleagues is scheduled for March 25, 2013. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon announced that it has the jurisdiction to review the case of Prime Minister al-Hariri, his colleagues, and all related cases.

Reporter, Female #1
The Trial Chamber of the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has dismissed motions by defense lawyers alleging that the court was established illegally, violates Lebanese sovereignty, has selective jurisdiction, and does not guarantee the accused the right to a fair trial. The Trial Chamber announced that it is tasked with reviewing the case of martyred Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, his colleagues, and all related cases. The court's decision can be appealed. The court found that the Lebanese government has never claimed that its sovereignty had been violated by the tribunal. The Trial Chamber also said that it has no power to review the decisions of the Security Council, including its decision to establish this tribunal under Chapter 7 of the UN charter. So what does this mean?

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Fasting Tunisians head to the beach to escape summer heat [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Ramadan this year coincided with the summer season, and the temperatures are high. Tunisians are turning to different activities to pass time, like practicing their hobbies during the day, and staying up late and socializing after breaking their fast. As for the beach, it is highly valued by the residents of the coastal cities.

Reporter, Male #1
Fasting has added an additional burden to the rising temperature, so most people have been looking for an outlet to pass their time and overcome hunger and thirst. These people find shade at the beach, hoping it would quench their thirst and help them wait until it is time to break their fast.

Reporter, Male #1
Away from the beach, people are increasingly turning to sports as an outlet, especially soccer games, which are more popular in Ramadan and sometimes turn into passionate games between neighborhoods, bringing together the young and the old.

Guest, Male #2
Fasting during Ramadan may affect blood sugar levels due to the change in eating habits. We came here to play sports so we can improve our health.

Reporter, Male #1
And while some lean towards activities that require physical efforts and could cause people who are fasting to become thirstier, others choose calm and relaxation. And these people are testing their luck and are spending long hours with the hope of breaking their fast with an abundant catch.

Guest, Male #3
If you don't have anything to do, go for a walk, or go fishing, or enjoy nature. It is time to clear your mind. It's mental relaxation.

Reporter, Male #1
Maghrib call to prayer echoes, and calm prevails over the capital Tunis. And after breaking fast, it is time to feed the soul and nourish the heart. People line up at mosques, praying for mercy and forgiveness, and perform Taraweeh prayers. Others choose spiritual art shows to create an atmosphere that Tunisians long for, but only find during Ramadan.

Guest, Female #2
Ramadan is known for this. The evenings are very nice here in Tunisia; it is very nice.

Reporter, Male #1
People's choices and activities during the holy month depend on their preferences, but their goal is the same: Finding an outlet for themselves, and evoking the atmosphere of Ramadan that unites them regardless of the intensity of their differences, and away from the hustle of politics and the bickering it brings. Hafiz Meribah, Al Jazeera, Tunisia.