Free Syrian Army claims advances in Aleppo as Turkey conducts military drills at border [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
At this time, 117 people have been killed by the gunfire of al-Assad's brigades, while the Free Syrian Army has expanded its control over the countryside of Aleppo. It also waged an attack on several security headquarters in the governorate.

Reporter, Male #1
These giant shells are falling above the heads of Aleppo residents who are seeking refuge in their homes, leaving dozens of them dead or wounded. The shelling has been renewed by Russian MiG aircraft and artillery, and gunship helicopters on the neighborhood of Salah ed-Din and other neighborhoods, in an attempt to regain control over nearly 60 percent of the areas that remain under the control of the Free Syrian Army.

Guest, Male #2
This is the first defense point for the Tawheed Brigade, and for the city for Aleppo. This is the front line to confront the enemy. God willing, we will be victorious.

Reporter, Male #1
Clashes occurred between the regime and Free armies to seize the aerial intelligence headquarters. Revolutionaries were also able to control police headquarters and stations in the neighborhoods of al-Salehin, Hanano, and Bab al-Neirab, and captured a number of al-Assad's brigades. And afterward, the Free Army directed a fatal blow to what is known as the Shabehat al-Berri, a criminal group that killed dozens of anti-regime protestors in Aleppo, and its leader, Zain Berri, was killed, resulting in retaliatory attacks by the shabeha on a number of the Free Army's centers in Aleppo.

Reporter, Male #1
In light of these developments on the ground, hundreds of residents of Aleppo migrated to safe areas, in the midst of difficult living conditions due to power outages, scarce water, and a lack of nutrition.

Presenter, Male #3
On the ground, al-Assad's forces committed a massacre in Jdeidet Artouz that claimed the lives of dozens, as clashes occurred in Baghdad Street and Bab Touma, in the center of Damascus, for the first time since the revolution began.

Reporter, Male #4
On its 67th anniversary, the Arab Syrian army conducted a new massacre in the city of Ariha in Idlib, to be added to the series of massacres it has committed since the revolution demanding freedom and democracy began. In a notable development that indicates the extent of the Free Army's advances on the ground, the capital Damascus witnessed clashes in the surroundings of Bab Touma and Bab Sharqi in the center of Old Damascus, which led to a number of deaths and injuries.

Reporter, Male #4
It was reported that al-Assad's brigades raided a number of the capital's neighborhoods, amid resistance by the Free Army in the neighborhoods of al-Qadam and Tadamon, while the Yarmouk camp was subject to tank and mortar shelling, amid fears of being stormed.

Reporter, Male #4
And while Iran denied news of the death of one of its diplomats in the neighborhood of Kafr Susa, activists revealed that the victim belonged to Hezbollah. And in Latakia, the neighborhoods of al-Raml and al-Janoubi, as well as the narrow streets in a Palestinian refugee camp and the Talaea camp, witnessed gunfire from heavy weaponry that coincided with a power outage. Also, columns of smoke rose from Homs after al-Assad's army bombarded it with dozens of missiles, especially in Baba Amr, al-Rastan, and al-Sultaniya. Al-Assad's brigades shelled other areas in Deir az-Zour, Daraa, and Idlib, as revolutionaries continued to take to the streets demanding the downfall of the regime.

Reporter, Male #4
On the other side of the border, the Turkish army conducted a military drill in the Mardin Governorate, which is located two kilometers away from the Syrian border. This comes after Turkey warned of military intervention to protect Syrian refugees if al-Assad's brigades attack them.

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HRW condemns Myanmar over ethnic cleansing of Muslims as UN envoy visits site of clashes [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Human Rights Watch said that security forces in Myanmar killed, raped, and organized mass arrest campaigns against Rohingya Muslims after sectarian riots occurred in the northeastern part of the country.

Presenter, Female #1
Meanwhile, the UN representative concerned with human rights arrived to Arakan Province to follow up on what has happened there over the past few months.

Reporter, Male #2
For 70 years, Muslims in Myanmar have suffered oppression, displacement, and arrest. But the past few months have reached unprecedented levels. They were internationally categorized as the minority to suffer the most from ethnic cleansing and persecution. And after all of the internal reports that were received from Myanmar concerning the cases of killing, mass arrests, and religious cleansing, matters seemed like they were moving quickly.

Reporter, Male #2
The United Nations sent a special envoy. The representative, who hasn't issued many statements, is observing the effects of a tragedy that occurred two months before he arrived. The representative will stay for a few days before he leaves, and the field will be open once again between oppressive security forces and residents whose government does not recognize them as citizens of the state, and calls for rounding them up in camps or deporting them outside the country to Bangladesh.

Reporter, Male #2
And in the context of condemnation and documentation, Human Rights Watch was clear in describing the violations. In a statement it issued regarding the recent events, it said, "Security forces killed, raped, and arrested Muslims in Myanmar." The statement added that security forces did not play any role to prevent what it called systematic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims. The organization for human rights called for immediately allowing aid to be delivered to the victims.

Guest, Male #3
They are supposed to protect minorities, and guarantee that their rights will not be violated. They left matters to develop into what happened in the state of Arakan. Authorities in Myanmar participated in human rights violations against one of the two parties involved in the sectarian riots.

Reporter, Male #2
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation renewed its call upon the international community and United Nations to bear responsibility, and to protect the Muslims of Myanmar from what it called forms of abuse that are carried out against them.

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Somali assembly endorses new constitution [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
Somalia's constituent assembly has approved a new draft constitution by a landslide majority. Six hundred twenty-one assembly members voted in favor, 13 against, and 11 abstained. In a notable move, 180 members of the constituent assembly boycotted the voting session. Concurrently, two bombers blew themselves up at a security checkpoint near the constituent assembly's headquarters.

Reporter, Male #1
Somalia is entering a new phase after endorsing a new constitution for the country under the auspices of the UN. With this, a new chapter has begun, marking an end to the country's transitional period. The constituent assembly has adopted the new draft constitution with a landslide majority. Six hundred twenty-one assembly members voted in favor of the constitution, 13 others against, and 11 abstained. However, 180 members boycotted the voting session.

Reporter, Male #1
The new constitution, which took eight years to complete, stipulates that Sharia, or Islamic law, will be the source of legislation and the basis of all laws. The road to establish a strong government will not be short. The creation of a new ruling regime faces many challenges, especially considering the two decades of civil war and chaos that have swept across the country since the 1981 collapse of President Siad Barre's regime. Among the notable challenges facing Somalia are the spread of arms and the conflict between armed militias.

Reporter, Male #1
It was no coincidence that the approval of the new constitution took place as a suicide bomber struck at a checkpoint outside the constituent assembly's headquarters. This security breach was an intentional message sent by the armed groups, implying that they are still capable of striking deep inside the capital, Mogadishu, and targeting vital areas. This latest political development is being hailed as a decisive move necessary to restore peace and rebuild state institutions, especially amid international and Western support.

Reporter, Male #1
However, a UN report warned of widespread corruption and systematic misappropriation of public funds, which may undermine the entire political process. The report added that 70 percent of money coming into Somalia doesn't make it to the state treasury. Despite all of these challenges, the endorsement of a new constitution for the country is a historic move, especially considering that the upcoming period will witness the formation of a new parliament, the selection of legislators, and the election of the country's first president in more than two decades. Abdel al-Qader Bilhaj, BBC.

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Bahrainis escalate protests amid regime crackdown [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
Bahraini regime forces have escalated their crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations calling for change and democracy. Regime forces fired poisoned gas and pellet bullets at the protestors. Meanwhile, Bahraini Public Security Chief Tariq al-Hassan has admitted that the regime forces have committed violations. For its part, the Islamic al-Wefaq Society said that thousands of Bahraini citizens have been hurt or injured due to such violations.

Reporter, Male #2
Under these slogans, Bahraini revolutionaries continued their defiant marches against the authorities' violations and crackdown on citizens. They are demanding change and the establishment of democratic rule. A series of peaceful demonstrations broke out across various Bahraini cities and towns. Demonstrators affirmed their perseverance against the brutal crackdown by the Saudi occupation-backed Bahraini forces.

Reporter, Male #2
Massive demonstrations were held today across various towns and villages, most notably Diraz, Diyah, Qariyah, Nuaydirat, Karzakan, and Maqabah. The protestors condemned the regime's practices of suppression, collective punishment, home raids, and indiscriminate detention against Bahraini youths.

Reporter, Male #2
Regime forces used deadly force against the demonstrators, who were demanding their legitimate rights, and the right to freedom of expression. The regime forces fired poisonous gas and pellet bullets. Amid the escalating crackdown against the people of Bahrain, the Islamic al-Wefaq Society said that thousands of citizens have been hurt or injured due to the daily violations committed by the Saudi occupation-backed Bahraini forces.

Reporter, Male #2
The Society further said that the daily violations and crackdown have claimed the lives of dozens of citizens. It added that the daily crackdown, which has been captured on video, can no longer be denied by the Interior Ministry. In addition, the fact-finding commission has documented many cases of human rights violations affecting thousands of Bahraini citizens.

Guest, Male #3
Over the past two months, regime forces have attacked 270 family homes. During the past 4 days, 41 civilian homes were attacked, raising the total to 311. Any government that can't provide security for its citizens is an incompetent government, and must leave.

Reporter, Male #2
Bahraini authorities were unable to conceal the facts, which point to a systematic policy of oppression against the citizens. This news comes after Bahraini Public Security Chief Tariq al-Hassan acknowledged that a number of violations have been cited and referred to the appropriate authorities. However, al-Hassan said that members of the police force don't need to obtain search warrants to enter homes, according to the law. Al-Hassan's remarks came after international rights organizations accused the Bahraini police and security forces of torturing detainees, which constitutes a human rights violation.

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Panetta: Iran must negotiate nuclear program limits or face possible US military action [IBA, Israel]

Visiting US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Iran must either negotiate acceptable limits to its nuclear program, or face the possibility of US military action to stop it from getting the bomb. His remarks came during a day of meetings with Israeli officials such as Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and included a visit to Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system outside of Ashkelon. Last night, President Barack Obama approved new sanctions against foreign banks that help Iran sell it oil, and Congress approved new legislation which could be passed later this week that include further sanctions.

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Israeli ultra-Orthodox youth eligible for conscription as Tal Law expires [IBA, Israel]

The Tal Law, which allowed ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth who turn 18 this year to be exempt from military service, expired at midnight. Haredi Yeshiva students are technically subject to the same law of conscription as their non-religious peers. However, it is still not clear how this change is going to be implemented. Haredi leaders have said that they will not cooperate with laws that do not take into account the existing status quo. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in a pinch, because while he believes in equal service for all, he does not want to upset his Haredi coalition partners.

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Iraq seeks assistance to evacuate Mujahedin-e-Khalq members from Camp Ashraf [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
Iraq's national security adviser, Faleh al-Fayyad, and the UN envoy in Iraq, Martin Kobler, held a meeting to discuss the appropriate measures to be taken in coordination with the United Nations to resettle members of Mujahedin-e-Khalq.

Presenter, Male #1
This comes as the remaining elements of the group at Ashraf Camp refused to move to the Hurriyah Camp in Baghdad.

Reporter, Male #2
The issue of the evacuation of the New Iraq camp, or what is known as Ashraf Camp, to al-Hurriyah Camp, and then the latter's evacuation to outside of Iraq, has resurfaced again. This, after the designated time period that was agreed on between Iraq and the UN in a memorandum of understanding ended when members of the Khalq organization at Ashraf Camp refused to resettle in the al-Hurriyah Camp, as confirmed by the Iraqi government.

Guest, Male #3 (Faleh Fayyad, National Security Adviser)
The Iraqi government does not view an involuntary transfer as a move to be completed through the use of violence and weapons. Rather, it is a mechanism to save Iraqi sovereignty and the law, and is used for those who refuse to accept the special UN arrangements to resettle them in a voluntary way and on the basis of a specific itinerary. The Iraqi government will not use violence in any future procedure, except for self-defense.

Reporter, Male #2
In attendance at the meeting to discuss means to resolve the issue of the organization's members who refuse to move from Ashraf Camp to al-Hurriyah Camp were Iraq's national security adviser, the UN secretary-general's envoy in Iraq, Martin Kobler, and members of the Iraqi government-appointed supervising committee, in addition to the ambassadors of Iraq's friendly and neighboring countries. And with this statement, the United Nations endorsed the type of services offered at the camp.

Guest, Male #4 (Martin Kobler, UN Envoy in Iraq)
As the envoy indicated, our evaluation of the humanitarian standards at the Hurriyah Camp deemed them acceptable. There are 1,000 people there, and the camp will also be able to receive another 2,200, which is the number of people who are still at Camp Ashraf.

Reporter, Male #2
Then, calls were directly sent to the ambassadors in attendance to end the crisis of the Khalq organization, asking them to find shelter for the organization's members outside of Iraq.

Guest, Male #4
My final word to ambassadors present at this meeting: I thank you for your political support and for your solidarity statements, but in return there must be a way to move the residents of Ashraf Camp to al-Hurriyah Camp, and from there, to find them a place outside of Iraq.

Reporter, Male #2
The national security envoy said a member of the organization committed suicide two days ago, which heightened the growing concern over the situation of those who remain in the camp. This comes as its leaders are leading this organization in an arbitrary manner, according to the envoy who suspects the person who allegedly committed suicide was actually killed. Haydar al-Aboudi, Al-Iraqiya.

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Egypt's Morsi shifts attention to foreign relations [Press TV, Iran]

Egypt's newly-elected president has been shifting more and more of his attention to foreign relations, rather than focusing on pressing internal affairs, such as a declining economy and water and electricity shortages. His first visit was to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, given the long-standing tension between the kingdom and the Muslim Brotherhood. He then held talks at home with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had a two-day visit to the country as part of her regional tour. He also gave much of his attention to Egypt's Palestinian neighbors, especially the Hamas organization, which is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.