Khamenei says Iran's path is undeterred by new US sanctions [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
The US Congress unanimously approved a draft bill that would tighten the economic and commercial sanctions on Iran. The sanctions aim to punish banks, insurance, and maritime shipping companies that help Iran sell its oil. It is expected for American President Barack Obama to sign the draft bill after Congress voted on it.

Reporter, Male #1
An endless series of decisions continue to be taken as part of the American campaign against Iran. Different pretexts are used; the most notable is the attempt to stop Iran's nuclear program.

Reporter, Male #1
The US Congress recently voted on a draft bill that tightens the economic and commercial sanctions on Iran, punishing banks, and insurance and maritime shipping companies that help Iran sell its oil. The new decision comes only two days after the White House announced penalties on foreign banks that have trade ties with Iran.

Reporter, Male #1
American President Barack Obama did not conceal his goal for the sanctions on the Iranian financial, energy, and petrochemical sectors, viewing them as additional pressure on Tehran for what he described as Iran's failure to meet international obligations on its nuclear program. He claimed that Washington is still committed to reaching a diplomatic solution to the confrontation with Tehran, but that it will continue alongside its allies to impose sanctions on Iran due to its nuclear program.

Reporter, Male #1
In the same context, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the Western sanctions will have an impact on Iran, but have not yet had a tangible result on the decision-making in Tehran.

Reporter, Male #1
Panetta pointed that Iran is keen to reach a political solution through negotiations with the P5+1. On the other hand, Tehran confirmed though its leaders that the sanctions will not have any negative impacts on its development. Rather, they will push different sectors in the country to be self-sufficient, notably the oil industry.

Reporter, Male #1
The leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, confirmed that Iran is continuing on the path of progress, and sees no closed pathways. He added that the resistance economy is a reality that must be achieved. He stressed that the people are determined to reach the goals despite the political, economic, and media pressures that object to the scientific movement in the country.

Reporter, Male #1
In addition, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for his country to stop exporting crude oil. In a ceremony inaugurating a new oil refinery, he stressed the need to build additional refineries to sell expensive oil products instead of crude oil. Observers say the US is trying to experiment with new pressures in its dealing with Tehran after its recurring failures in previous stages.

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Three suspected al-Qaeda members arrested in Spain [IBA, Israel]

Security officials in Spain have arrested three suspected al-Qaeda terrorists. According to an announcement released a short time ago, the suspects have been identified as two Chechen citizens and a Turkish national who were detained after police discovered a large cache of explosives in their apartment in the Spanish town of Linea de Concepcion. Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez-Diaz told reporters that there is a clear indication that the suspects were plotting a terror attack in Spain or elsewhere in Europe.

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Israeli leaders imply Iran strike is likely as US defense secretary ends Israel visit [IBA, Israel]

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta wrapped up his two-day visit to Israel with an earful from Israeli leaders about the need for more action against Iran. He leaves for Jordan under intense speculation that Israel is poised to strike Iran's nuclear program. Israeli leaders all stressed that economic sanctions would not change the minds of Iran's ayatollahs, and that all options were on the table.

Senior officials in the Obama administration are reportedly saying that behind closed doors, Israeli leaders are not as confrontational. However, Efraim Halevy, former head of Mossad, implied in a statement to The New York Times that the window of opportunity to hit Iran would end by the US presidential elections in the winter.

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Fifty thousand yeshiva students now eligible for Israeli draft as Tal Law expires [IBA, Israel]

The Tal Law dealing with exemptions for ultra-Orthodox in army recruitment is no longer on the books. Technically, all Israelis reaching age 18 in Israel are now subject to induction under the draft service law. The Movement for Quality Government petitioned the High Court demanding that the Defense Ministry and the Knesset overturn a temporary order that adds six months to men's obligatory 30 months of service. According to the petition, the absence of the Tal Law means that some fifty thousand yeshiva students are now eligible for the draft, and the temporary law is no longer necessary to boost IDF manpower.

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Baghdad strikes back at Total by blacklisting the oil company [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Faisal Abdullah, the spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Hussain al-Shahristani, said the federal government will blacklist the French company Total after it signed an oil deal with the Kurdistan region. Abdullah noted that Total will face great consequences if it does not review its stance, assuring that Iraq will punish companies that sign deals without getting the approval of the federal government and the Oil Ministry.

Presenter, Male #1
The Oil Ministry said it renewed its demand to open the joint oil pipeline with Saudi Arabia as a result of the desperate need to grow Iraq's oil exports. The ministry's media spokesman, Assem Jihad, said the oil pipeline that has been halted on the Saudi territory since 1990 is very valuable to Iraq's economy. He confirmed that conflicts with Saudi Arabia must be resolved to resume the work on the oil pipeline that will support the export of crude oil. The Iraqi government called on Saudi Arabia to renege on its decision to ban exporting oil through the pipeline that passes through its territories.

Presenter, Male #1
The general inspector of the Ministry of Electricity said the ministry believes that the privatization of the electricity sector in this stage is difficult because there is a lack of an efficient system to collect bills. Speaking to al-Markaz al-Khabary, an Iraqi media outlet, the ministry's general inspector, Alaa Mohieldin, expressed concern over the investing companies' inability to collect money for the electricity they will produce. He clarified that the realities of the electricity sector do not allow its privatization at the moment, due to Iraq's dependence on a unified policy to develop the electricity despite the obstacles.

Presenter, Male #1
In exchange, the oil and alternative energy committee assured that the Ministry of Electricity will not be able to fulfill its responsibilities to raise the production of electricity to 9,000 megawatts. Member of the oil and alternative energy committee, Awwad al-Awwadi, told the al-Markaz al-Khabary that the ministry vowed to run stations built by private companies.

Presenter, Male #1
These stations have not been functioning for over three years, like the Canadian al-Hurr, and al-Khairat, and the Iranian company that is working in the city of al-Sadr. These stations were expected to start functioning at the beginning of July, but only al-Diwania gas station has started working.

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Yemen faces devastating water crisis [Press TV, Iran]

People in Yemen's capital Sanaa are faced with challenges caused by water shortage with the annual rainfall being less than two inches, which barely meets the growing demand for water. The government has so far done little to address the issue, and citizens, faced with exorbitant monthly water bills that would take about 40 percent of their salaries, have turned to private and sometimes illegal artisan wells to supplement their water intake in the capital.

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UN warns that three million Syrians need food aid as Annan quits Syria peace envoy [New TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
Kofi Annan has resigned from his post and Ban Ki-moon is searching for a successor.

Reporter, Male #1
"The militarization of the conflict and a lack of consensus led to a change in my role." With these words, international envoy Kofi Annan justified his resignation from his position as a mediator for the United Nations and the Arab League in Syria, in a last minute press conference announced by the United Nations.

Guest, Male #2 (Kofi Annan, Outgoing UN Envoy)
I did not receive all the support that the mission deserved. There are divisions within the international community, all of which complicated my duties. The increased militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity at the Security Council fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must resign, sooner or later, as part of the political transition process in Syria. I hope that my successor will have a bigger chance to move Syria towards a political transition.

Reporter, Male #1
Annan's announcement was preceded by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's statement, in which he announced the resignation of the international envoy. He said that Annan placed all his capabilities and immense experience in the interest of the mission. He revealed that negotiations are taking place between the United Nations and the Arab League for the prompt appointment of a successor at this crucial stage. Ki-moon expressed his belief that bloodshed is not the solution in Syria, stressing that the six-point plan remains the best hope and solution for the Syrian people.

Reporter, Male #1
Ki-moon assured that the ongoing divisions within the Security Council are obstacles to diplomacy, making it hard to agree on a mediator. He concluded by assuring that the United Nations is committed to continuing its diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the violence in the Syrian crisis.

Presenter, Female #1
The fierce battles between the regime's army and the armed opposition are continuing in Aleppo, as Barack Obama approved sending support to the Free Army.

Reporter, Female #2
As time passes, the intensity of the battles in Aleppo is heightened. Reports from the city indicate that gunmen seized three police stations, amid complaints that they are facing a shortage in military supplies, and are starting to deplete their ammunition. Meanwhile, Syrian army helicopters continue to shell neighborhoods, as videos were broadcast showing a number of bodies said to have been taken in the Salah ed-Din neighborhood. According to the United Nation's figures, 200,000 residents have deserted the city since the battles started. A number of them headed to Idlib Province, particularly to the neighboring town of Dana that is under the control of the Free Army.

Guest, Male #3
Thank God that we are in Dana. The Free Army is in control of the city and its suburbs. As for the security aspect, the Free Army controls everything.

Reporter, Female #2
However, features of a living crisis have started to appear.

Guest, Male #4
The living conditions here are a little difficult because there is a large number of refugees. And it is difficult because most of Aleppo City's residents came here and to neighboring villages. There's also the shelling; they are trying to target bakeries. We are being shelled every day.

Reporter, Female #2
And in this framework, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned that three million Syrians are in need of food in light of the current crisis. The Menagh Military Airport, located near Aleppo, was subjected to an attack by the Free Syrian Army with heavy weapons, including tanks they had seized.

Reporter, Female #2
A correspondent for Agence France-Presse reported hearing explosions and machine gunfire from the airport, as the fighters confirmed the shelling was the result of an attack to seize the airport, from which helicopters and aircrafts shelling Aleppo are taking off. Meanwhile, the international observers' delegation is continuing its mission, touring al-Azamiyah, where the destruction is clear due to the fierce confrontations that took place between the regime's army and the opposition's gunmen. However, residents of the area expressed comfort over the presence of the regime's forces that set up a number of checkpoints in Damascus and its surroundings.

Reporter, Female #2
In another development, American television stations announced that President Barack Obama signed a secret document authorizing support for the opposition fighters through secretive CIA action. Officials at the White House refused to comment on the information, but did not deny American support for anti-regime forces.

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Egypt swears in new cabinet, releases partial list of ministers [Dubai TV, UAE]

Presenter, Female #1
The first government under the reign of President Mohamed Morsi was revealed today. This comes hours after Prime Minister-designate Hisham Qandil announced the makeup of his cabinet, which includes the former finance and foreign ministers. Meanwhile, Egyptian military sources confirmed that the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, would retain his position as defense minister. Egyptians are hoping that the new government will keenly deal with many of the post-revolution issues. Tawfiq Ahmed reports from Cairo.

Reporter, Male #1
Following marathon consultations and contacts, the newly-appointed prime minster, Dr. Hisham Qandil, announced the makeup of his government. Several former ministers retained their positions, including Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr and a defense minister whose name had stirred a wide controversy, but analysts confirmed it was Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

Guest, Male #2 (Dr. Mohamed Salman, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University)
Generally speaking, this cabinet is keen to execute specific plans and achieve specific goals during a short period of time. It knows well that everyone will be watching.

Reporter, Male #1
It's a technocratic government that did not take political affiliations into account, as previously pledged by Qandil. However, this didn't spare it from criticism.

Guest, Male #3 (Ahmed Baha'a al-Din Sha'aban, Arab Socialist Party Secretary-General)
This government, in which the vast majority of its members are technocrats, has its own problems. There's a difference between a technocratic minister and a political minister. We are in a phase where we need political ministers who can understand the people's needs and resolve their problems.

Reporter, Male #1
Amid the disagreement over the fundamental issues, all political and revolutionary factions expressed their willingness to give the new government an opportunity and enough time to prove itself.

Guest, Male #4 (Ahmed Abu Baraka, Justice and Freedom Party Legal Advisor)
We issued a preemptive announcement urging everyone to give the new government an opportunity. The government is keen to announce its political program and state policies. Once this phase is complete, we can evaluate its performance. We can't prejudge this government and prevent it from exercising its authority, as it's an act of thuggery with the aim of undermining the government and weakening the president's position, as well as jeopardizing the entire democratic process. What's happening in Egypt doesn't happen in any country or society in the world.

Reporter, Male #1
President Morsi is slated to preside over the first session of the council of ministers today, following the swearing-in ceremony. He will tackle issues related to the status quo. Amid the political and economic unrest sweeping the country, many difficult tasks are awaiting the Qandil-led government, especially considering the thorny issues and high ceiling of expectations facing the first government under the reign of President Morsi.

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Honor killings claimed the lives of 900 Pakistani women in 2011 [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
In Pakistan, reports indicate that 900 women were killed last year as a result of so-called called honor killings. In some incidents, the offenders cut the victims' noses.

Reporter, Male #2
The countryside of Pakistan is a place that seemingly does not change over the years. Here, men set the rules, and women must follow, or get killed. Last year, nearly 900 women around the country were killed in the name of honor killings. Those who survive are stigmatized for their entire lives. And this is what happened here, in this village, the village of Thatta Pera. Alaa, a beautiful young girl, or this is what she used to be 32 years ago, before the incident occurred.

Guest, Female #1
He suddenly did this; I fell on my back and he sat on my chest and took out a sharp tool from his pocket and cut my nose. The blood poured into my eyes. He also cut my ankle.

Reporter, Male #2
This was Alaa before the attack. She was described as one of the most beautiful girls in her family. After the accident, she says that she was not able to look in the mirror.

Guest, Female #1
When I used to leave the house, I would cover my nose like this; not only my nose, my whole face, like this. I wished I had died; I wished that he had cut my neck instead of cutting my nose.

Reporter, Male #2
A charity contributed to helping Alaa undergo a surgery in March of 2011. When she met her doctor Hamed Hassan, she kissed his hands, thanking him for what he did. She told him: You gave me and my family a new life. She came today to find out how successful the operation was, as she has not yet healed.

Reporter, Male #2
The tragedy is more devastating since Alaa is living in the same house as the offender, her husband, Gholam Abbas. Abbas was imprisoned for six months after the incident, but he does not regret it. After getting released from prison, he divorced Alaa and kicked her out of his house.

Guest, Male #3
Apart from what happened, she is the one that pushed me to assault her.

Reporter, Male #2
You mean she was at fault?

Guest, Male #3
Indeed, she was.

Reporter, Male #2
Alaa says that her husband, to whom she has returned, is still threatening to punish her. She has no one but God to complain to. She is taking care of her son, who she says is the reason she returned home. He is a simple worker; he does not own more than a day's wages. She wishes to find a job to help out her poor family, and like a number of residents here, she also hopes that her nose will heal.